Our Mission

Dane County Humane Society’s (DCHS) Four Lakes Wildlife Center (FLWC) is dedicated to providing responsible care for the ill, injured and orphaned wildlife of south central Wisconsin, and to promoting education and awareness of the crucial role of wildlife in our community.

Our History

FLWC, a program of DCHS, was founded in 2002 by David Madden, former animal care director at DCHS, and Patrick Comfert, a local licensed wildlife rehabilitator. In the inaugural season, the fledgling wildlife program received over 200 patients.

After the first summer’s influx of wildlife, the program began recruiting volunteers to help care for the wildlife patients that found their way through the doors daily. Grants and donations helped to make many improvements possible during the second year, and community volunteers pitched in to help build outdoor cages.

With the outpouring of community support and an excited team of volunteers, the wildlife program progressed into its third season. The number of volunteers became large enough to care for a wider variety of animals, and to keep the wildlife center’s doors open from morning to night.

With the support of the community, each year the wildlife program continues to improve the facilities and the level of care they are able to provide their wild patients.  To this day, FLWC wildlife caretaker volunteers provide the majority of the animal care. FLWC is wrapping up its 10^th year after caring for nearly 2,000 wild animals in need. Like many of the animals cared for at FLWC, the program has room to grow and the future is very promising.

 What is Wildlife Rehabilitation? Click to HERE to learn more!

Have you found a wild animal in need of help? 

If you find an uninjured wild animal, please call FLWC at (608) 838-0413 ext. 151 as many wild animals are mistakenly removed from their natural environment by well meaning people who are trying to help. Whenever possible, please call before removing a wild animal from its home.

If you find a sick or injured wild animal, please call FLWC at (608) 838-0413 ext. 151 or the 24-hour Exceptional Care for Animals(ECA) at (608) 274-7772. ECA is located at 229 West Beltline Highway at the Rimrock Road exit. ECA will assesses the animal, treat its immediate needs, and then contact FLWC to complete its care before release.

Interested in an internship? 

FLWC offers unpaid internships for college students and recent graduates.  For more information, click HERE  . 

Thank you for caring about Wisconsin's !