About Southwest Wildlife
Who We Are
Established in 1994, Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center (SWCC) rescues Arizona native wild mammals that have lost their homes to development or are found injured, orphaned, or abandoned. When possible, the animals in our care are rehabilitated and released, healthy and wild, back where they belong. Those animals that cannot survive in the wild can live out their lives at our accredited sanctuary. We don’t buy, breed, sell, or trade animals, nor are the animals for hire or used for commercial purposes.
We are proud of our contribution to the recovery of an endangered species – the Mexican gray wolf. As a holding facility, we offer space at our sanctuary to care for part of the captive population of this rare wolf and participate as a member of the Mexican Wolf Species SAFE Program (S.A.F.E).
Southwest Wildlife shares its knowledge and passion for animals through education. We hope to educate and inspire people to respect wildlife and conserve the habitats in which they live.
Our Mission
Saving our wildlife, one life at a time.
Southwest Wildlife rescues, rehabilitates, and releases injured, displaced, and orphaned wildlife. Wildlife education includes advice on living with wildlife and the importance of native wildlife to healthy ecosystems. Educational and humane scientific research opportunities are offered in the field of conservation medicine. Sanctuary is provided to animals that cannot be released back to the wild.
To achieve its mission, Southwest Wildlife provides:
- 24/7/365 Rescue and Resource Hotline manned by trained volunteers that respond to wildlife rescues and advises on other wildlife interactions.
- An full-service onsite Veterinary Hospital
- Educational services
- An accredited sanctuary for those animals that cannot be released
Our Mission
in Action
Rescue
Whenever wild animals have lost their homes or are found injured or abandoned, we’re ready to respond.
Rehabilitation
The rehabilitation process assures every animal has a quiet place to heal and begin its journey back to the wild.
Release
We make sure each animal has an opportunity to return to the wild as safely and quickly as possible.
Sanctuary
If animals are unable to be released into the wild, we provide sanctuary to ensure they are safe and cared for.
Education
We educate the public on how to safely coexist with and protect Arizona’s native wildlife.
Our Vision
Inspire the conservation of native wildlife through education, the care of sanctuary animals, and a teaching hospital dedicated to healing, rehabilitating, and releasing wildlife.
Our Story
It all began with one coyote.
In the early 1990’s, the seed was planted for what would become one of the leading wildlife sanctuaries and rehab facilities in the southwestern United States.
Our story begins with Linda Searles – a woman with a passion for all living things and a life-changing encounter with an orphaned coyote pup.
A local farmer accidentally ran over a den of newborn coyote puppies with his tractor, leaving one survivor. The farmer looked for help for the tiny wild creature but didn’t know where to turn. Eventually fate and kind people brought Linda together with that orphaned coyote she named “Don”. At that time, there were no local veterinarians who would treat orphaned or injured wild animals. Linda dreamed of a wildlife rehabilitation center specializing in mammals. And so, that seed of Southwest Wildlife was planted.
Linda’s dream became reality with the purchase of 10 acres northeast of Scottsdale, Arizona, in 1994. As trees were planted and enclosures built that slice of open desert slowly became a shady oasis for wild animals in need. Don Coyote was joined by countless other injured, orphaned, and displaced mammals with no other place to turn. Most were rehabilitated and released back to the wild; those who could not would remain in our sanctuary to live out their lives in peace.
Don Coyote lived 20 wonderful years at the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center with his soul mate, Ashley. He served as an ambassador for wildlife, teaching thousands of visitors about the importance of wild animals in our ecosystem and the beauty of our natural environment.
Southwest Wildlife (SWCC) has become one of the leading wildlife sanctuaries and rehab facilities in the southwestern United States, pursuing its mission to care for wild mammals in need and educate the community about wildlife. SWCC continues to learn and grow, accepting the challenges that pass through our gates every day.