Our Work

Three Pillars of Compassionate Conservation.

Conservation Education

Empowering the Community to Coexist Responsibly.

Our commitment to conservation education is an active, ongoing effort designed to be the preventative solution that reduces the number of animals that ever need our rescue services, transforming the public into informed partners in our mission. This comprehensive program utilizes both digital resources and in-person instruction to cover a wide spectrum of essential topics, including how to “critter-proof” homes without using harmful traps, the importance of keeping pets contained during high-risk seasons, and the vital difference between a truly orphaned baby animal and one that is simply waiting for its parent to return. We deliver presentations to civic organizations, scout troops, and colleges, emphasizing the ecological necessity of species often misunderstood or feared, such as black vultures or copperhead snakes, promoting respect rather than eradication as the primary response to perceived wildlife issues. By providing clear, actionable guidelines on safe and responsible human behavior around wildlife, we cultivate a culture of thoughtful interaction throughout East Tennessee, fundamentally changing the dynamic between urban and wild spaces for the long-term benefit of local biodiversity and the overall health of the environment we all share.

Emergency Rescue & Intake

Rapid, Professional Response, 24 Hours a Day.

The emergency rescue and intake protocol is the most critical and time-sensitive aspect of WRET’s operation, demanding immediate mobilization and flawless execution to save animals from life-threatening situations, whether they involve vehicle trauma, entanglement, or toxic exposure. This process is initiated the second a call is received on our 24/7 hotline, where our coordinator quickly gathers essential details and provides immediate, life-saving instructions to the caller while simultaneously dispatching the nearest trained response team to the scene with specialized capture equipment, often including nets, specialized handling gloves, and transport carriers. Once secured, the animal is immediately brought to our intake center where the veterinary team performs rapid triage, assessing vital signs, administering pain management, and treating for shock, prioritizing stabilization above all else before any deeper diagnostic work can begin. The intake process involves documenting the exact circumstances of the injury and the location of the rescue, data that is crucial not only for the animal’s medical chart but also for our ongoing research into patterns of human-wildlife conflict, allowing us to proactively target our educational and preventative efforts in high-risk zones.

Expert Veterinary Rehabilitation

Tailored Medical and Behavioral Pathways to Freedom.

Our expert veterinary rehabilitation phase is a rigorous, highly individualized treatment regimen that utilizes modern medicine and behavioral science to ensure the animal is not only physically healed but also mentally prepared for survival in the wild. Following stabilization, patients enter specialized recovery wards where they receive precise medical care, which may include pinning broken bones, treating severe infections, or long-term medication administration, all while meticulously minimizing sensory input that could cause undue stress or habituation to humans. The second half of the rehab process, known as conditioning, involves progressively challenging the animal in large, naturalized outdoor enclosures where they must successfully hunt, forage, avoid perceived threats, and demonstrate robust strength and endurance, essentially graduating through a series of increasingly difficult wilderness simulations. This conditioning phase is non-negotiable and continues until our specialists are fully confident that the animal has retained or reacquired all the complex, innate behaviors necessary to navigate its wild home successfully, representing our unwavering commitment to the animal’s long-term welfare, not just a temporary fix.

Testimonials

Stories of Compassion and the Joy of Return.

★★★★★

“We were devastated when we found the little fawn alone and injured near our property, and we didn’t know where to turn until a neighbor recommended WRET’s 24/7 hotline. The coordinator, Sarah, was calm, knowledgeable, and guided us through the entire process of temporary care until their transport team arrived quickly to take the fawn. Their subsequent updates, showing the little one thriving in the specialized enclosure, were the most heartwarming news we received all year, and we were so moved by the professionalism and deep compassion of Dr. Thorne and the entire staff. To know that our donation went directly to feeding and housing that precious animal until it was strong enough to return to the forest where it belonged is incredibly fulfilling, and we continue to support WRET because we trust their integrity and their unwavering commitment to giving these vulnerable creatures a real chance at life.”

David & Eleanor S., Supporting Donors

★★★★★

“I started volunteering with WRET after retiring, looking for a way to actively contribute to conservation, and I was immediately struck by the rigorous, meticulous care protocol required for every single patient, particularly the raptors. I’ve seen firsthand the countless hours the veterinary team puts into mending delicate wing fractures on owls and hawks, followed by the lengthy and precise physical therapy necessary to ensure they regain full flight capabilities in the massive outdoor flight cage. The staff’s commitment to minimizing human contact—even during cleaning and feeding—is paramount; they truly prioritize the animal’s wild integrity over any human desire to handle or interact with them, which is the professional standard that makes all the difference. Helping clean the enclosure of a Barred Owl, knowing that the distance and minimal interaction is exactly what will allow it to hunt successfully in the woods again, is the most rewarding work I have ever done.”

Lisa M., Community Volunteer

★★★★★

“I brought my third-grade class on a field trip to WRET’s educational center, and the experience was truly transformative, deepening our understanding of the fragile life cycles of local mammals, particularly the orphaned squirrel kits the team was carefully raising. The presentation was tailored perfectly to their age group, emphasizing how easily well-meaning citizens can accidentally ‘kidnap’ a baby animal that is simply awaiting its mother’s return, and the importance of calling WRET before intervening. What resonated most with the students was the story of the squirrel kits, seeing their rapid growth and learning about the specialized feeding formulas and the eventual soft release process, which brought the abstract concept of conservation to vivid, tangible life. The visit has fundamentally changed how my students view the wildlife in their own backyards, fostering a sense of stewardship that is priceless.”

Samantha P., Local Teacher

★★★★★

“As a local roofer, I frequently deal with wildlife issues, and WRET has become my absolute go-to resource for ethical and professional animal removal and relocation, especially after I encountered a family of raccoons in a chimney that needed specialized rescue. Mac, the education specialist, came out to my work site the very next morning, not only to ensure the animals were safely extracted and transported for health checks but also to show my crew how to properly secure the chimney vent without harming the animals in the future, providing practical preventative solutions. Their team is not just about rescue; they are about teaching our business and the community how to co-exist responsibly and humanely, saving us time and money on callouts while protecting the animals. WRET is an invaluable partner for any business operating near natural areas, and their expertise is unparalleled in East Tennessee.”

Robert H., Local Business Owner