By participating in our symbolic
Wild Foster Program you will make a lasting impact on wildlife preservation.
Many of the animals that arrive at Woodlands Wildlife Refuge are
the result of direct or indirect human interference. You will help
us continue to give the best care possible to the more than 1000
wild patients we admit each year. These precious and wild animals
need our collective support.
By symbolically fostering a wild species in your
name or as a thoughtful gift for someone, you help us to continue
our mission of rehabilitating and releasing orphaned and injured
wild animals, educating the public about those animals and creating
a better understanding about the natural environment where people
and animals can exist in harmony. Foster the animal(s) of your choice
and know you are helping to give wildlife a second chance!
Click on
the animal you would like to symbolically foster for more info
Our Education Ambassadors
Other Species
Your gift is tax-deductible and you will
receive: a foster certificate, photograph, you animal's natural
history and its life at Woodlands, a foster decal and bookmark.
If you choose, you can opt out of receiving
these items.
Foster a Squirrel
Orphaned and injured squirrels come to Woodlands
in great numbers as a result of tree removal or mothers being trapped
and removed. Injuries result from encounters with cats, dogs, and
cars. Squirrel care may last from 4 to 12 weeks. New Jersey is home
to 3 species of squirrels: red, grey, and flying.
Price $25.00
Foster a Rabbit
Orphaned and injured eastern cottontail rabbits are one of the more
common patients at Woodlands. They arrive most often after being discovered
and caught by dogs and cats; however, lawn mowing, garden preparation,
and construction sites are often the cause as well. Their care may
last 2 to 4 weeks, but the rabbit, being such a timid animal, is one
of the most difficult we work with.
Price $50.00
Foster
a Bat
Orphaned and injured bats arrive at Woodlands most often when found
dislodged during home renovations or repairs. Their care may last
4-16 weeks. New Jersey is home to 9 species of bats, including the
endangered Indiana bat. These true insectivores are one the most
beneficial wildlife species.
Price $100.00
Foster
an Opossum
Orphaned and injured opossums arrive at all ages, most commonly
due to mothers being killed by cars or caught by dogs. Their care
may last from 2 to 16 weeks, and, being North America's only marsupial,
they are one of the more unusual patients we tend to.
Price $100.00
Foster
a Skunk
Orphaned skunks arrive for care at Woodlands most often after mothers
have been trapped and removed and/or killed, as well as becoming
victims of construction or renovation sites. Their care may last
from 4 to 10 weeks. Skunks will only spray when defending their
lives. Their appetite for insects such as slugs and grubs make them
more beneficial than most would think.
Price $100.00
Foster
a Turtle
Injured turtles of many species arrive for care at Woodlands. Cars
and lawnmowers are the predominant reasons. Their care may last
from 1 week to 1 year. New Jersey is home to 11 species of turtles,
including the endangered bog turtle and the threatened wood turtle.
Price $100.00
Foster
a Fox
Orphaned and injured foxes are regular wild patients at Woodlands.
They are most often orphaned due to parents being killed by cars;
however, it is also common for ill foxes to arrive with mange, a
parasitic skin infestation which can be easily treated. Their care
may last from 4 to 12 weeks. New Jersey is home to both red and
grey foxes.
Price $200.00
Foster
a Raccoon
Raccoons are a frequent patient at Woodlands. The most common reason
they arrive is due to trees being cut down or mothers being trapped
out of buildings, relocated, or killed. Most often, it is only after
the removal of the mothers that orphaned infants are discovered.
Their care may last from 2 to 28 weeks. Raccoons' intelligence and
dexterity enable them to be extremely opportunistic while foraging
for food.
Price $200.00
Foster
a Black Bear
The largest of our wild patients, black bears, are orphaned and
injured most commonly by cars; however, from time to time, and for
human safety, unusually aggressive females must be euthanized and
their cubs subsequently orphaned. Most often, this is a result of
humans unnecessarily providing food. Woodlands is the only facility
in New Jersey licensed to care for this species. Bears require special
housing and their care may last from 4 to 60 weeks. As our largest
wild neighbor, their diet is 80% herbivorous, 10% insectivorous,
and 10% meat.
Price $200.00
Foster
an Otter
River otters are rare patients at Woodlands. They arrive orphaned
or injured by cars. As the only facility in New Jersey licensed
to work with river otters, we are thankful for this opportunity.
Care lasts 4 weeks to 1 year.
Price $200.00
Foster
a Bobcat
New Jersey's endangered bobcat is a rare patient at Woodlands. They
have arrived having been hit by cars or orphaned for unknown reasons.
Their care may last from 4 to 36 weeks. As the only facility in
New Jersey licensed to work with bobcats, we are thankful to have
the opportunity to release these very special animals back to the
wild. The endangered status of the bobcat makes this one of New
Jersey's most elusive species.
Price $200.00
Foster
"Cornelius" ~Special Care Permanent Resident~ Corn Snake
Cornelius came to us in winter after being confiscated from illegal
possession. We do not know if he was taken from the wild or captive
bred. Since we have no origin information, we cannot release him.
Price $500.00
Foster
"Lady Jane" ~Special Care Permanent Resident~ Canadian Lynx
The Canadian lynx is indigenous to the northern United States and
Canada. During a law enforcement raid, this lynx was found (with
many other wild animals) in a harness in a hotel room. Her physical
exam showed the harness to be embedded in her skin and that she
had been declawed on all four feet. As a permanent resident, located
near our education center, Lady Jane's sad story helps educate the
public why wild animals should not be sold or kept as pets and belong
only in the wild.
Price $500.00
Foster
"Roomba" ~Special Care Permanent Resident~ Sulcata Tortoise
Sulcata tortoises are indigenous to the African dessert but are
sold in many places as "pets". At 2 inches, the animal may seem
like a great pet, but they grow to be 2-3 feet and may weigh 180
pounds. Many are "released" or escape in areas in which they cannot
survive. Roomba was found wandering on a New Jersey golf course.
His condition showed that his diet had been insufficient for a very
long time. As a permanent resident, Roomba will live his life out
in captivity helping to teach respect for wildlife of all kinds.
Price $500.00
Foster
"Tank" ~Special Care Permanent Resident~ Eastern Box Turtle The eastern box turtle is very common in New Jersey. These turtles
have a very limited home range in which everything is biologically
perfect for that "community" of turtles. Very often, turtles are
"rescued" and released elsewhere, thus upsetting the biological
balance of other turtle "communities". Tank came to Woodlands after
being "rescued" from an unknown area and kept in an aquarium tank
by two different families for over a year. As a permanent resident
at Woodlands he helps educate the public about the habits and fragile
habitats of local wildlife.
Price $500.00
Foster
"Buddy" ~Special Care Permanent Resident~ Raccoon The raccoon is a common species in New Jersey. Buddy was found
exhibiting overly 'friendly' behavior. He arrived with no prior
history, but it is believed he may have been habituated at an early
age. Buddy's story helps to educate the public about why wild animals
should not be kept as pets.
Price $500.00
Foster
"Jewel" ~Special Care Permanent Resident~ Diamondback Terrapin
Jewel was found in a parking lot away from any natural habitat for
her species. Due to her unknown history she was non-releasable.
