Kemp Wildlife Rehabilitation & Release inc.

• Please read the following if you are looking to make a real difference for our community wildlife.

 Our story begins with one little Sparrow begging for food from the shoppers  at Pattersons auto sales. My son Jim was a car salesman at the time. He said mom get up here right away there is a tiny little bird with a red ribbon tied around his leg that is landing on the customers hands and begging for food and now he’s trying to get inside our building. My son is used to me Rescue and Animals, however I have never rescued a bird or any wild animal. I didn’t take me long to get here and pick up the little angel we named Patterson after the other dealership he was  found in. When I arrived the bird immediately jumped on my finger and started back again. I took him home in a little crate and called my Best friend at the Humane Society of Wichita County as to what to feed him. 

It was clear what happened to this poor little guy. someone raised him and thought when he could fly over he could eat. Birds aren’t born knowing how to pick up food except Killdeer. It is a skill they must acquire when doing Wildlife rehab. Thus, began my career as a wildlife rehabilitator. Oh yes, Patterson was not released because he was way too tame and we lived with him as a Loved member of our family for over 10 years. 

It didn’t take long for Word to get out so I could raise birds. So, I was training with two volunteers of mine Who were the original founders of Wildbird Rescue. After they receive their permit In birds, I was very anxious to move on to rehabilitation of mammals. There was not one in this city or county permitted by Texas.  My first call was one baby squirrel in an attic. This was 33 years ago when the Internet was just in its infancy so I had to make some calls around Dallas from other license Rehabber’s to learn the ins and outs of mammal Rescue. We are now a team of volunteers with no paid Director on our staff . We all volunteer our time saving this person’s babies who have no one if we’re gonna. 

Kemp Wildlife Rehabilitation Inc. is a small 501(c)(3) nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation organization licensed by Texas Parks & Wildlife.. Our wildlife rehabilitators and volunteers work to help orphaned, sick, and injured animals return to their natural lives and to serve as a resource for the people who find these animals. We are funded entirely by donations of which suppor our joint missions of animal care and community education.

 Our mission is to promote the understanding, appreciation, and well-being of wildlife and the world we share through compassion, care, and community involvement.  

In 2023 we admitted 567 orphaned, sick and injured wild animals from 15 counties across Texas. Animal admissions have increased steadily since  founded in 1989 and are on pace to exceed 1000 by 2028.  An ongoing annual challenge is to raise funding to cover care and housing for all these animals and to recruit and train volunteers in animal care. 

Many people have the assumption we are supported by Texas Parks and wildlife. We are not. Although we work under their legislation to protect and save Texas Wildlife. 

This year of 2023 has been a challenging year for all of us in the  Kemp Wildlife team but we keep finding a way to squeeze in one last baby I have never turned one away. As long as there’s funds our babies will get medical care from a licensed veterinarian, Immunizations, prescription antibiotics, and tons of vegetables. These are the roots of Kemp wildlife rehabilitation and release.