Join Our Release Site Program

The final, and most important, step in a wild animal’s rehabilitation journey is release back into the wild! Sometimes wildlife are returned to the location where they were found, other times they are released into a different suitable habitat. We often rely on private land owners for wildlife release locations. If you are interested in offering a safe place for rehabilitated wildlife to live free, please review the following criteria and submit an application.

Requirements

Release site properties must be in Pennsylvania

Locations less than 30 minutes driving distance from the wildlife center (currently located in Dover, PA) are most likely to be used. Further locations are encouraged to apply if you feel your property has ideal habitat or can accommodate some of our most common species

Considerations

Our greatest need is release locations for Eastern Cottontails, Virginia Opossums, Mallards and various species of tree squirrels
Animals released on the property will be wild animals, not pets. Any release locations found to be taming or attempting to capture/touch released wildlife will result in immediate removal from the program and all illegal activity will be reported to the appropriate authorities
Wildlife center staff or volunteers will be present for each release. Property owners may be present for the releases if possible
No application is guaranteed acceptance into the program. Our wildlife rehabilitators review each application carefully and consider each animal’s needs individually.
You will only be contacted if we are ready to use your location for wildlife release. Most releases occur in summer and early fall

Apply Now