Who We Are
The Wildlife Center of the North Coast (WCNC) is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit wildlife rehabilitation and conservation education center based in Astoria, Oregon. We rescue and rehabilitate injured, sick, orphaned and displaced native wildlife with the goal of releasing healthy, strong creatures back into their appropriate habitat. In addition, we offer wildlife conservation education programs to the community in the form of summer camps, school field trips, our ambassador animal program, the operation of our wildlife emergency hotline, and more.
We operate under permits issued by the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife and the US Fish & Wildlife Service. Our licensed rehabber is Rehab Coordinator, Ginger Nealon.
The WCNC is the only wildlife care hospital in our region, and serves communities along the central and northern Oregon coast and cares for more than 1,000 animals in a given year. Our center specializes in seabird rehabilitation, but provides professional medical care to all native wild birds and most native mammals in need. A variety of seabirds, raptors, ducks, songbirds and mammals come through our doors every year, each in need of some kind of care. Whether injured, sick, starving or orphaned, we work hard to take care of their every need, get them healthy, and released back into the wild where they belong.
We have a small, dedicated staff and depend on our amazing volunteer team and generous friends like you to continue the life-saving work we love.
WCNC relies on public donations and grants to fund our daily operations.
The Founder
Sharnelle Fee
1947 – 2015
Sharnelle Fee founded the wildlife center in 1997 and moved from Portland to the coast, where she set up shop to specialize in seabird rehabilitation.  She had an incredible passion for helping animals, for conservation, and education; and was a champion for wildlife in need. Through her tireless dedication, boundless energy, and help from an amazing group of volunteers, what started in Sharnelle’s small mobile home trailer nearly 20 years ago has grown into a fully functional wildlife hospital including nineteen outdoor enclosures and a variety of pre-release pools.Â
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Sharnelle passed away in September of 2015. She will always be missed, but the legacy she left behind lives on in our hearts and in everything we do.
Vision
A community where wildlife thrives.
Mission
“Promoting compassion, empathy, and respect for all life through wildlife rehabilitation, wildlife conservation, and ecological teachings.”
Values
- Professionalism
- Compassion
- Teamwork
- Stewardship
- Service
Our Location
89686 Hwy 202, OR 97103, United States
Hours & Info
*We are not open for public visitation; hours are listed for rescue purposes only. Private tours and live encounters with Ambassadors can be scheduled in advance.