Our Mission & History

Mission

WildCare delivers world-class medical care in our open admission wildlife hospital, together with exceptional environmental education, community engagement, and effective advocacy for the protection of wildlife and our shared habitat.

Vision

WildCare envisions a future in which humans are committed stewards of the natural world and transform conflict with wildlife into coexistence.

Core Values

  • Dedication to Wildlife and the Environment
  • Care, Compassion and Inclusion
  • Pursuit of Learning
  • Sustainability

Our History

From the Daily Independent Journal, Oct 1954

In 1954, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in San Rafael determined to build a larger Parish Hall to better serve its growing membership. Rather than tear down the old Parish Hall, the church gave it to the San Rafael Optimists Club, who moved it to its present site, near what is now Albert Park in San Rafael. The Optimists Club leased the site, for $1 a year to a local group who wanted to establish a Junior Museum.

Fashioned after similar Junior Museums that had sprung up in communities across the country during the 40’s and early 50’s, Marin’s Junior Museum provided educational opportunities for young people to learn about nature and animals through educational displays and activities at the museum. They also had an animal lending program through which teachers and families could check out an animal to care for and learn about.