Austin Wildlife Rescue Continues Lifesaving Mission Following Devastating Central Texas Floods
Photos courtesy of Austin Wildlife Rescue
Just weeks after devastating floods swept across Central Texas, wildlife rescuers are continuing to respond to the often overlooked victims of natural disasters: native wild animals.
World Animal News recently visited Austin Wildlife Rescue (AWR) to witness firsthand the extraordinary work this dedicated nonprofit is doing to rescue, rehabilitate, and release injured, orphaned, and displaced wildlife throughout Texas.
Founded in 1977, Austin Wildlife Rescue is the largest nonprofit organization in Central Texas dedicated exclusively to native wildlife rehabilitation. The organization operates every day of the year, caring for orphaned, injured, and sick wild animals at no cost to the public. Its mission is to rehabilitate wildlife and return healthy animals to their natural habitats whenever possible, while also educating the public about peacefully coexisting with native wildlife.
In 2025 alone, Austin Wildlife Rescue cared for a record breaking 10,745 wild animals representing approximately 300 different species from more than 30 Texas counties, and the organization is on track to exceed that number this year. During the busy spring and summer seasons, more than 2,500 animals may be in their care at any given time.
The recent Central Texas floods have only intensified that workload. Rising floodwaters displaced wildlife across the region, destroying nests, flooding dens and burrows, and leaving many young animals orphaned or injured. In the aftermath of major storms, wildlife rehabilitators often see a surge in orphaned and displaced fawns, squirrels, opossums, raccoons, rabbits, birds, reptiles, and many other native species in need of urgent care.
In just the past week alone, Austin Wildlife Rescue has taken in 278 wild animals, stretching its resources even further as staff and volunteers work tirelessly to provide lifesaving medical care, specialized nutrition, and rehabilitation.
Among the many remarkable animals currently receiving care are baby white tailed deer, bobcats, raccoons, ringtails, porcupines, armadillos, opossums, squirrels, birds of prey, songbirds, and countless other native Texas species, each with the hope of one day returning to the wild where they belong.
Every rescued animal represents countless hours of dedicated care. Many orphaned babies require round the clock feedings, while injured wildlife often needs extensive medical treatment and weeks or even months of rehabilitation before they are strong enough to be released back into the wild. Austin Wildlife Rescue also operates a wildlife hotline that receives thousands of calls each year, helping Texans determine when wildlife truly needs assistance and how to safely coexist with their wild neighbors.
As Central Texas continues recovering from the floods, Austin Wildlife Rescue’s work is far from over.
Now more than ever, the organization needs public support to continue providing lifesaving care for Texas wildlife.
Please consider making a donation at AustinWildlifeRescue.org. Every contribution helps provide food, medical care, rehabilitation, and a second chance for wild animals that have nowhere else to turn.
World Animal News and Peace 4 Animals extend our heartfelt thanks to the incredible staff and volunteers at Austin Wildlife Rescue for their unwavering dedication to protecting Texas wildlife.
