Welcome to the
Wendy McCaw Wildlife Hospital
at the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network
Tucked into the hills of Goleta, just minutes from the coastline, sits one of California’s most advanced wildlife hospitals—a place where injured pelicans, orphaned opossums, and dehydrated hummingbirds all get a fighting chance.
Opened in 2022, the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network’s hospital is a game-changer for wildlife on the Central Coast. Built from the ground up with the needs of wild patients in mind, it operates 365 days a year and treats over 4,000 animals annually across more than 270 native species.
Built for Wild Lives
Wild animals need more than just good intentions—they need species-specific care, quiet recovery spaces, and medical expertise. Our hospital includes:
Core Medical Programs & Clinical Facilities
Cariño Veterinary Program
An advanced veterinary program that provides expert life-saving treatment, procedures, and training for over 200 species each year.
Oiled Wildlife Care Network Bird Response Room
A specialized room to meet the increasing needs of oiled animals impacted by natural seeps and to assist in the event of a spill.
The Freiss Family Veterinary Internship
Year-long internships are offered to licensed veterinarians to receive training from SBWCN’s staff veterinarian.
The La Centra-Sumerlin Veterinary Suite
This section houses our surgery and radiology rooms that provide injured animals the treatments they need to heal.
Cariño Veterinary Program
An advanced veterinary program that provides expert life-saving treatment, procedures, and training for over 200 species each year.
Oiled Wildlife Care Network Bird Response Room
A specialized room to meet the increasing needs of oiled animals impacted by natural seeps and to assist in the event of a spill.
Specialized Wildlife Care Areas
Barbara & James Ward Songbird Nursery
Thermoregulated and quiet nurseries for baby birds provide them a safe space to grow up and thrive.
The Budgor Family Mammal Nursery
A quiet and dedicated space for the most fragile baby mammals who need around-the-clock feedings and specialized care.
The Manitou Fund Duckling Pools
The hundreds of ducklings that come to SBWCN each year require fresh water enclosures that provide heat and a low-stress environment.
The Connie & John Pearcy Raptor Aviary
Owls, hawks, falcons, and eagles build their flight muscles before release in a spacious aviary specifically designed for raptors.
The Nora McNeely Hurley, Michael Hurley, and Manitou Fund Corvid Aviary
A larger aviary space outfitted with specialized perching, vegetation, and enrichment for intelligent species like crows, ravens, and jays.
The Dwight & Kim Lowell Mammal Complex
A large, outdoor enclosure specifically designed to house larger mammals gives flexibility, space, and enrichment for a variety of species.
The Coastal Resource Enhancement Fund Shorebird Pools
Secluded pools provide egrets, herons, and geese constant access to fresh water, heat, and a quiet space to recover.
Barbara & James Ward Songbird Nursery
Thermoregulated and quiet nurseries for baby birds provide them a safe space to grow up and thrive.
The Budgor Family Mammal Nursery
A quiet and dedicated space for the most fragile baby mammals who need around-the-clock feedings and specialized care.
Supportive & Educational Spaces
The Patricia & Paul Bragg Foundation Staff and Volunteer Commons
A multi-purpose room that allows for meals, breaks, training, and meetings for dozens of staff and hundreds of volunteers.
The Ridley-Tree Animal Kitchen
A dedicated animal kitchen, equipped with plenty of fridge, freezer, and counter space, to nourish thousands of animals each year.
Manitou Fund Green Garden Plaza
A luscious native garden filled with drought-tolerant plants that provide food for both local pollinators and animals in care.
The Patricia & Paul Bragg Foundation Staff and Volunteer Commons
A multi-purpose room that allows for meals, breaks, training, and meetings for dozens of staff and hundreds of volunteers.
The Ridley-Tree Animal Kitchen
A dedicated animal kitchen, equipped with plenty of fridge, freezer, and counter space, to nourish thousands of animals each year.
Hospital in Action
Every year, the hospital responds to an ever-growing number of wildlife emergencies, including:
- Natural Oil seeps affecting seabirds
- Orphaned baby mammals from tree-trimming, domestic cats, and/or car strikes
- Songbirds injured in window collisions
- Raptors suffering from rodenticide poisoning
- Marine birds tangled in fishing line or plastic
Each case begins with compassion and ends—hopefully—with release back into the wild.
Thank you to all of the donors who have supported the Wildlife Hospital!
This hospital was made possible by people like you. Fueled by local support, grants, and donations, it reflects a community’s belief that wild lives are worth saving. And now, it's a regional model for wildlife rehabilitation and environmental response.
Lead Sponsor:
Wendy P. McCaw Foundation
Platinum Sponsors:
Ann Jackson Family Foundation, Connie Pearcy, John MacFarlane, Kimberly & Dwight Lowell, Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree, Lynette & Foster Friess, Nora McNeely Hurley, Michael Hurney, & Manitou Fund, Oiled Wildlife Care Network, The La Centra-Sumerlin Foundation, The Patricia & Paul Bragg Foundation, The Walter & Holly Thomson Foundation, Schlinger Chrisman Foundation
GOLD Sponsors:
Aaron & Kandy Budgor, Ann Smith, Argonaut Charitable Foundation, Ariana Katovich, Barb Hunt, Barbara & John Kinnear, Brian Fahnestock & Julie Hendricks, Carol Diamond, Catherine & Wolfie Wiggins, Chris & Dori Carter, Cleland & Yvonne Downs, Clleland & Yvonne Downs, Coeta & Donald Barker Foundation, Connie & Richard Kennelly, Cynthia & George Mitchell Foundation, Dan & Robin Cerf, Dana Goba, Darcy & Daniel Keep, Darcy & Richard Kopcho, David & Maureen Mezzetta, David & Sandra Inger, Decker's Brands, Denise Doty Tierney, Donald Burg, Dr. William J. Otto, DVM, Ellen & Robert Lilley, Ellen & Thomas Orlando, Emma Rose Floral, Eve Bernstein, Gary Simpson, Ginni Dreier, Gretchen Lieff, Gwen & Nick Guddal, Hutton Parker Foundation, Ian Shive, Jack & Sheri Overall, Janet Greeley, Janet McCann, Jeffrey O’Neil, Jennifer & Victor Plana, Jim Nelson, John & Karen Jostes, John C. Woodward, John Kay, Jose Arvelo, Joyce & Roland Bryan, Judy Goodybody, Judy Stewart, June G. Outhwaite Trust, Jurate Kazickas, Karen Moore, Kate & Michael Novotny, Kim Hunter, Kimberly & Dwight Lowell, Kristen Scheff, Kristi Anderson, Kristi Newton, Lanette Perry, Laura Tunberg, Lee Heller, Linda Clough, Lynn & Chris Cunningham Brown, Lynn Yamaoka, Margriet Caswell, Marilyn Makepeace & Anne Maczulak, Marianne Meeker, Marilee & Stephen Gordon, Mary Jane Slater, Mary Smith, Melissa & Christian Riparetti-Stepien, Misho Law Group, Mindy Denson, Misho Law Group, Mosher Foundation, Nigel & Connie Buxton, NS Ceramic Inc., Pacifica Beauty, Pamela & Duke Vincent, Patagonia.com, Pat Brooks, Peter Doctors, Rachael Douglas, Rebecca Gaal, Ruth & Stuart Birdt, Sally Anne Boughton, Sally Bromfield, Schipper Construction, Sharon & Catherine Chance, Sharon Metsch, Sienna Wyatt, The Coastal Resource Enhancement Fund, The Crawford Idema Family Foundation, The James P. and Shirley F. McFarland Fund at the Minneapolis Foundation, The Kislak Family Foundation, The La Centra-Sumerlin Foundation, The Oak Group, The Sandra Hoover Jordan Revocable Trust, Tracy & Michael Bollag, Union Bank Foundation, Vasanti & Joel Fithian, Will & Sarah Borgers
SILVER Sponsors:
Ann Steinmetz, Anne Towbes, Antoinette Chartier, Barbara Hilaire, Beatrice van Roijen, Beth Climo, Carosella Trust, Chris & Kendra O’Connor, Chuck Oneto, Dan & Debbie Gerber, David Bernstein, Deborah & Greg Tice, Debra & Robert Hopper, Dotty Chassé, Double Taurus Animal Foundation, Edward Linquist, Eliot Crowley & Debra P. Geiger, Ellen Sherwood, Firth & PJ Wilkinson, Frederick Oshay, Give to Pets Foundation, Ian Shive, Jack Camiel, Jennifer Bruell, Jerri & Michael Pollard, Jessica Encell, Joan Brock, Judy & Frank Ghezzi, Kathleen Schepanovich, Katharine T. Thompson, Katharine & William O'Donnell, Kiki & David Gindler, Kim Lieberman, Kristin Larson, Kristi Newton, Laguna Blanca School Running For Charity, Larry & Claudia Mitchell, Laurie Andrews, Lisa Foley, Long Creek Wines, Los Padres Forest Watch, LouAnn Smith, Louise Stewart, M.D., Lynn Sarko, Marilyn Martin, Nancy McGarth, Nancy Posner & George Ybarra, Nadia Bernardi, Nanci & Tom Elliot, Pamela Viale, Penelope Bianchi, Phillip & Karen Van Horn, Roderick Pearson, Robert F Adams, Scott & Leslie Deardorff, Sharon Waggoner, Sheila Lodge, Soraya Scroggins, Sue Sadler, Susan Forkush, Susan Mailbeau, Susanne Wood, Suzanne McAdams, The Chavkin Family, Tory & Kelly Milazzo, Tracy & Dalton Priddy, Diane & Mike Wondolowski
Talk to us about additional available sponsorship naming opportunities!
