The Houston Humane Society has joined forces with Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition (TWRC), officially forming The Houston Humane Society TWRC Wildlife Center. Wildlife operations will remain at 10801 Hammerly Blvd. while a fund drive is underway to build a new wildlife center. All TWRC staff, programs and facilities now operate under Houston Humane Society.
“We are excited to welcome TWRC to the Houston Humane Society family as our organizations share a dedication to animal wellbeing and the belief that all animals should be free from suffering and humanely treated,” said Gary Poon, president and CEO of Houston Humane Society. “Both organizations are also dedicated to educating our community on the humane treatment of animals, whether domestic pets or wildlife.”
As Greater Houston continues to expand, more wildlife is being displaced from its natural habitat, with encounters between wildlife and people becoming more commonplace. Poon said that part of Houston Humane Society’s mission with this expansion into wildlife services is to not only care for injured animals, but also to educate the Greater Houston community about environmental conservation. He said it is important for everyone to learn how to peacefully coexist with the wildlife that is constantly present in our area and plays an important role in our natural world.
For TWRC, working with Houston Humane Society is nothing new, according to wildlife director Mary Warwick.
“We have been collaborating with Houston Humane Society on various animal welfare initiatives over the past three years, so this is a natural extension of our work and shared mission. We are excited by the opportunity to expand the reach and impact of our wildlife rehabilitation, conservation and education programs as part of one of the premier animal welfare organizations in Texas.”
Since 1979, TWRC Wildlife Center has provided quality emergency care and rehabilitation for injured, ill, and orphaned wildlife brought in by the public. Admitting approximately 4,000 animals per year across 157 species, TWRC cares for native Texas wildlife found in and around the Houston area, with a specialty in small mammals, migratory songbirds, small raptors and reptiles. TWRC’s goal is to rehabilitate with the intent to release animals back into the wild. They also operate a specialized in-home care program that is provided by permitted rehabilitation volunteers.
Donors are encouraged to support the Houston Humane Society’s ongoing wildlife rehabilitation programs and the group’s efforts to raise funding for a new state-of-the-art wildlife center.
With its headquarters located at 14700 Almeda Rd., Houston Humane Society offers adoption, low-cost pet care services and resources, cruelty investigations, and is the only regional shelter with a full-service veterinary clinic open to the public. To learn more, visit www.houstonhumane.org.
