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      • Wildlife Rescue in South Mississippi

Wildlife Rescue Organizations in South Mississippi 

A Shoofly Magazine Local Living Resource Guide


Have you ever encountered a gull on the beach dragging its wing or an injured opossum on the side of the road, but didn’t know how to help? Our new comprehensive resource list has the answers! 
- by Wendy Sullivan and Ellis Anderson 

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A bald eagle rehabilitated by Wildlife Care and Rescue Center, 2013 photo by Ellis Anderson

The Mississippi Gulf Coast is full of caring people concerned about wildlife, particularly injured or displaced creatures. But knowing who to contact for help can be a dilemma. Below is a list of South Mississippi groups that rescue and rehabilitate wildlife, what their specialties are, and how to contact them.  

Legitimate wildlife rescue groups (like the ones we've listed here) must be licensed by the Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. Those groups that handle birds of prey, migratory birds and federally protected species must have both a state and a federal permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We’ve designated the groups below that have both the state and federal “unlimited” licenses. 
 
Keep in mind that not every animal that’s found actually needs rescue. Two websites that provide guidance about when and how to determine the need for rescue are Gulf Coast Wildlife Rehab and Central Mississippi Turtle Rescue.
​
All the organizations listed below have missions similar to that of Woodside Wildlife Rescue in Pass Christian: “To rescue, rehabilitate and release indigenous animals back into their natural habitat as healthy as possible to promote preservation of the environment.”
 
Some of these groups have a particular focus - like birds or raccoons -  while others care for a wider range of animals. Reptiles, including alligators, have their own special needs which many organizations are not able to address. 

Our list is intended to provide guidance. Inclusion does not indicate endorsement or funding support, nor does exclusion from the list indicate any judgment about services. 
 
Remember: Wildlife rescue depends upon volunteers, as well as the goodwill of the community. Consider donating or volunteering to further their important work.   
 
Learn more about sharing our communities with natural neighbors in this story from our 2017 Shoofly Magazine Archives.  

South Mississippi Wildlife Rescue Organizations 


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Back to the Wild  
(228) 697-1191
​

Specializes in raccoons ​

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Central Mississippi Turtle Rescue
(601) 672-1418
​

Find a turtle?  If it’s not injured, read this before determining if the turtle needs help.

Read more about this group in this 2017 Shoofly story.







​

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Gulf Coast Wildlife Rehab
5500 Richmond Street
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
(228) 238-5505
Email: info@gulfcoastwildliferehab.org
Open 7 days 8 am – 8 pm
Federal “Unlimited” License – can handle migratory birds, birds of prey and federally protected wildlife. 
 
This rescue provides guidance on when and how to rescue wildlife. Their website has several helpful flowsheets that guide rescue assessments and decisions. They provide rescue care to the five southernmost counties of Mississippi. All kinds of animals and birds are rescued except alligators and bats (as they do not have the facilities for them).  


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Photo by Gregg Martel for the Shoofly Magazine
Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS)
1-888-SOS-DOLPHIN
Also: (901) 215-8108
 
From their website: If you are out fishing and you catch a sea turtle, please do not try to remove the hook yourself. Call our stranding hotline and we will come get the turtle from you and bring it back to our facility where we can safely remove the hook and care for any other injuries or ailments it may have before releasing it back into the ocean.
​

If you find a live stranded or injured dolphin on the beach, call for help immediately. Do not touch the animal without direction from IMMS or another governing agency such as NOAA or MDMR. Please be aware that when an animal strands, it may be sick. Therefore, please use every precaution to protect yourself from any infectious diseases. A live dolphin stranding is an emergency, and the speed of response by a professional rescue team is perhaps the most crucial factor in determining whether or not the animal will survive. ​
​

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Manatee Sighting Network
(866) 493-5903
Email: manatee@disl.org

​Sighting reports from the public help Dauphin Island Sea Lab find, study and protect manatees in the northern Gulf of Mexico. 


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Possum Hill Wildlife and Bat Education 
(228) 218-7430

​Specializing in bat rescue

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Coming Soon: 
Southern Wildlife Rescue
(228) 216-0632
 
Headed by Maggie Wooten, veteran rescuer currently working with Wildlife Care and Rescue Center, this new facility will have an “unlimited” federal license so they can care for migratory birds, birds of prey and federally protected wildlife. Maggie specializes in pelicans and water birds. We will add more information when it becomes available.
​


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Whisper of Hope Foundation 
(228) 731-4970

Jamie Pope cares for all mammals, specializing in opossum and squirrels. 

 ​

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Wild at Heart Rescue
 (228) 669-7907
Email: wildatheartrescueinc@gmail.com
 
Open 24 hours, this rescue responds to calls for assistance with a wide range of wildlife including opossums and squirrels, other small mammals and songbirds. 
 ​

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Alison Sharpe, director of Wildlife Care and Rescue Center, Inc. with one of her charges. Photo by Ellis Anderson
​Wildlife Care and Rescue Center, Inc.
(228) 669-2737
Email: wildlifecare@cableone.net
Open 9 am - 6 pm Monday-Friday,
    10 am - 5 pm Sat-Sun
Federal “Unlimited” License – can handle migratory birds, birds of prey and federally protected wildlife. 
 
They request phone calls to report injured or abandoned wildlife. 

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Woodside specializes in raccoons, beavers and otters like this baby.
​Woodside Wildlife Rescue
Phone: 228-223-0430
Email: woodsidewildliferescue@gmail.com
 
While this organization focuses specifically on small mammals like raccoons, beavers and otters, they work closely with other rescue and rehab centers to coordinate rescue and care. Their website lists several additional resources to meet the needs of animals for whom they are unable to provide the appropriate level of care.
​

Shoofly Magazine Partners

​Our Shoofly Partners are local businesses and organizations who share our mission to enrich community life in Bay St. Louis, Waveland, Diamondhead and Pass Christian. These are limited in number to maximize visibility.  Email us now to become a Shoofly Partner!
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Alice Moseley Folk Art Museum

Bay Town Inn

Bay-tique Boutique

The Bay Bum

The Shops of Century Hall

Chiniche Engineering

Creole Creamery

The Cultured Oak

The French Potager

Hancock County Historical Society

HL Raymond Properties

Kenny Dental

Lagarde's Fine Wine & Spirits

The Loft
The Mane Salon

Magnolia Antiques

Ms. Mary's Old Town Snoballs

Mystic Ghost Tours

PJ's Coffee

Salty Soul Outfitters

Theatre in the Pass

VSPA at Hancock Women's Center

The Wedding Collection ​

John & Ning Wiebmer


The Shoofly Magazine  is published by MAC Media, LLC.   Unless otherwise attributed, all written content and photography copyright MAC Media, LLC

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  • Home
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      • Wildlife Rescue in South Mississippi