Heart of the Wild - Wildlife Rehabilitation
501(c)(3) Nonprofit | NYS Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator
Our facility provides a safe, quiet place where injured, orphaned, and sick wildlife can heal and recover. From specialized indoor care areas to spacious outdoor enclosures, each space is designed to meet the unique needs of the animals in our care while minimizing human interaction and encouraging their natural behaviors. Our goal is always the same, to give every animal the time, care, and second chance they need to return healthy and strong to the Heart of the wild where they belong.
Specializing in foxes, coyotes & native mammals
*100% of your donations go towards essential medical care, food mostly meat, supplies, and enclosures
Meet The Team
Bob
Board Member | NYS Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator | Property & Enclosure Manager
Behind every safe enclosure and secure habitat at Heart of the Wild Wildlife Rescue is my other half, Bob. As a Board Member and New York State Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator, Bob plays an important role in both the care of our wildlife and everything it takes to keep the rescue running safely behind the scenes.
When you work with foxes and coyotes, an enclosure can’t simply be strong—it has to be escape-artist proof! These incredibly clever animals can dig, climb, squeeze, and somehow find weaknesses you didn’t even know existed. Bob puts countless hours into building, reinforcing, repairing, and maintaining our enclosures to make sure every animal in our care stays safe and secure while preparing for their eventual return to the wild.
From construction and property maintenance to setting traps, transporting wildlife, assisting with their care, and tackling the never-ending projects that come with wildlife rehabilitation, Bob is an essential part of Heart of the Wild.
He’s the one who takes my ideas—even the crazy ones—and figures out how to make them happen. His dedication, skill, and hard work help make it possible for us to give every animal that comes through our doors the second chance they deserve.
Heart of the Wild truly wouldn’t be what it is without him.
Paula
Founder | NYS Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator | Registered Nurse
Paula is the founder of Heart of the Wild Wildlife Rescue and a New York State Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator with years of experience caring for injured, orphaned, and sick wildlife.
The very first animal Paula took into her care after becoming licensed was a fox—and from that moment, she fell in love. That first fox sparked a passion that would grow into a special dedication to the rehabilitation of foxes and coyotes and ultimately become the heart behind Heart of the Wild.
A Registered Nurse whose career was spent in hospice care, caring for those in need has always been a part of who Paula is. She brings that same compassion, dedication, and determination to every animal that comes through her doors, no matter how difficult the case may be.
Beyond rehabilitation, Paula is passionate about education and advocacy. She works to bring awareness to communities about normal fox behavior, common illnesses such as mange, and the important differences between a sick animal and one displaying normal wildlife behavior. She also advocates for safer alternatives to rodenticides, educating the public about the devastating effects these poisons can have on foxes, coyotes, birds of prey, and other wildlife.
For Paula, wildlife rehabilitation is about more than saving one animal at a time. It is about giving wildlife a second chance, helping people better understand the animals they share their communities with, and creating a safer world for them to return to.
Madison
Board Member & Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator
Madison, Paula’s daughter, is a member of the Board of Directors and a New York State Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator. From the moment Maddie was born, she had a love for animals and nature, always bringing home some sort of critter that needed a little help.
Madison earned her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from the University of Connecticut, giving her a strong educational foundation to complement the compassion and instincts she has had for animals her entire life.
She has an especially deep love for coyotes and a passion for helping these often misunderstood animals. Her knowledge, dedication, and lifelong connection to wildlife make Madison an invaluable part of the Heart of the Wild Wildlife Rescue team.
HOW can you help?
There are so many ways to make a difference! Donate, shop our Amazon Wish List, send much-needed supplies, or simply help spread the word. Every act of kindness helps us provide food, medical care, shelter, and rehabilitation to wildlife in need.
Together, we can give them a second chance at life in the wild.
