Where to Get Wildlife Help Now That the Wildlife Rehab Center Has Closed

The Wildlife Rehab Center (WRC) no longer admits animals at 1504 Union Ave NE in Grand Rapids, MI. For injured or orphaned wildlife in West Michigan, the site directs you to its successor organization, the West Michigan Wildlife Center, which its volunteers and rehabilitators pledged to continue the rescue work through. You can reach that center at 616-361-6109 or via the link on the WRC page.

What changed at WRC

WRC served the Grand Rapids community for more than 30 years as a resource for injured and orphaned wildlife, growing to rescue over 4,000 animals a year on a 1-acre urban property at founders Peg and Roger Markle's residence. After Roger's serious accident in the barn in 2022, the Markles decided to retire, and the organization retired with them. The site is explicit that animals will no longer be admitted at the Union Ave NE address.

Where to go instead

The page describes the West Michigan Wildlife Center as WRC's "daughter" center, staffed by the same dedicated team of volunteers and rehabilitators.

Before you call

• Don't bring animals to the old address. The Union Ave NE location is closed to admissions, so a trip there will not get the animal help.
• Call first. Use 616-361-6109 to confirm the center can take your specific animal and to get intake instructions before transporting it.
• Use the page link if the phone isn't answered. The site keeps wildlife help "a click away" through the linked successor center.

What the WRC site is now

The site functions as a closing tribute and a redirect rather than an active intake resource. It thanks volunteers, donors, and supporters, credits the Markles with the organization's mission, and points visitors to the West Michigan Wildlife Center for ongoing rescue work. If you arrived looking for the old intake address or hours, the only actionable information is the successor contact above.