About Us

We cover issues of wildlife and natural habitats, conservation efforts and threats to wildlife rehabilitation itself. ACRN is dedicated to shinning a light on the state of wildlife rehabbing in the Pacific Northwest, and the challenges that rehabilitation efforts face.

Wildlife rehabilitation is a public service that provides a public good. Not only does this work benefit the animals themselves, but also their natural ecosystems, and thus society as a whole. Rehabilitators regularly intake patients from species that are non-endangered, but even this benefits threatened species, as these experiences prepare them for endangered species animals that are taken in critical condition.

Much of our attention is currently focused on Oregon, specifically. In practice, wildlife rehabilitation is widely treated as a nuisance by the state and not the legitimate public service that it is. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has a Wildlife Rehabilitation Advisory Panel, Committee, a Wildlife Rehabilitation Manager, and provides grant funding to local licensed rehabilitators. California also offers a variety of grant funding for rehabilitation, in addition to Wildlife Conservation Board that is separate from the Fish & Game Commission. By contrast, ODFW is lacking each of these and more. While WDFW evolves their wildlife policies in conjunction with current research studies, ODFW continues to rely on outdated practices that blocks rehab and regularly result in the unnecessary death of wildlife. It is crucial for Oregon to have state management that is supportive of wildlife rehab and that makes resources available for continued education.

ODFW policy and the agency culture it enables has resulted in the fostering of a hostile environment for rehabilitation in Oregon. Unsurprisingly the number of rehabilitators has significantly declined in Oregon over the last decade. Yet the need for wildlife rehabilitation has never been greater. The few surviving rehabilitators continue to do so with no support from the state, and both hands tied behind their backs. This is neither normal nor acceptable.

One unfortunate bi-product of ODFW’s draconian policies and its adversarial relationship with rehabilitation is that the decimation of licensed rehabilitators has invited an influx of unlicensed DIY rehabbers who fill the void by operating underground. Often this is inspired when a samaritan recovers an injured animal and is unable to find a licensed rehabilitator and decides to take matters into their own hands. A well-intentioned underground rehabber may unknowingly cause great stress or harm to the animals they care for, or even inhibit its chances for survival when reintroduced into the wild.

ACRN does not condone or support illegal activity, however unlicensed rehabilitation is a reality. For the welfare of the animals and public safety, we provide education to encourage proper care, treatment, and release strategies, as well as to adopt and adhere to the NWRA and IWRC’s “Minimum Standards.” Meanwhile, the broader objective is to facilitate change in Oregon toward more modern and humane practices. By shifting ODFW away from its current antagonistic role to one of shared interest and support, healthy legitimate rehabilitation can thrive. We believe that as a consequence, demand for unaccountable underground rehab will naturally wane.

We are committed to providing support to wildlife rehabbing and conservation efforts in a variety of ways. In addition to spreading awareness, we offer resources such as distributing food and supplies. ACRN additionally lends volunteers to help with fundraising events or other projects such as constructing animal enclosures.

ACRN advocates in defense of natural habitats, wildlife populations, and of the individual animal. We believe that as the dominant species on this planet, we as humans must look out for and serve as its stewards. This is especially true in the face of changing climate conditions around the world, and in the Pacific NW, there is ample room for improvement.