About Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke

Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke is a non-profit 501(c)(3) state and federally licensed wildlife veterinary hospital and rehabilitation facility that offers quality care and veterinary treatment to native wildlife of southwest Virginia. Between our collective experience as a close-knit team of veterinarians and professional wildlife rehabilitators we have over 100 years of experience working with wildlife in this setting. We are one of the largest wildlife rehabilitation centers in Virginia treating 2,700+ patients annually, 1 of 3 wildlife veterinary hospitals in the state of Virginia that can treat threatened and endangered species, and serve as a regional hub for wildlife in need as the only wildlife hospital to cover the entire western half of Virginia.

Operating as an independent nonprofit since 2002, Co-founders Sabrina and Lucky Garvin, members of the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association and the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, have acted as a resource for wildlife in Roanoke for decades. After realizing there was a desperate need for a professional veterinary hospital for wildlife in the community they transitioned their at-home operations to a standalone full service wildlife center to better serve the community of wildlife and people who were in need. As an organization we continuously consult with numerous veterinarians, at-home rehabilitators, and wildlife centers not only locally but nationwide to constantly improve rehabilitation conditions, standards, and practices to those make sure our facility remains state-of-the-art and provides the highest quality care for our patients. Our staff and our facility have both been featured in peer reviewed journals, top tier nationwide news outlets like USA Today, and regularly present at state and national conferences. As such, we are well-qualified to provide specialized care that is tailored to the specific needs of the large variety of species found here in southwest Virginia.

Our team consists of more than a dozen volunteers, ~20 interns, and 8 staff members, 2 veterinarians, an LVT, and our wildlife loving community. Our facility specializes in native Virginia wildlife, intakes include raptors (eagles, owls, hawks, falcons, etc), waterfowl (including herons, ducks, and shorebirds), and migratory birds such as Chimney Swifts, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, and more! We also have permission and permits to rehabilitate eagles, state and federally endangered/threatened species (such as gray bats, peregrine falcons, bog turtles, wood storks, etc.), and bear cubs — all of which have come through our doors.

In addition to the care, treatment, and rehabilitation of our native wildlife we also have an award-winning educational outreach program that has reached over 40,000 people in southwestern Virginia. We also have a large social media presence where we continue our mission to educate others about the creatures with whom we share the world. We must advocate for the protection of wildlife and wild places to ensure these magnificent animals have a place alongside us for generations to come.

“What a country chooses to save is what a country chooses to say about itself.”
– Mollie Beattie, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke has a 501(c)3 status.

All donations are tax-deductible.

Mission: Conserving Virginia’s wildlife through rehabilitation and release while teaching care and respect of native species. We advocate for the protection of wildlife and wild places to ensure these magnificent animals have a place alongside us for generations to come.

Mailing Address:

SWVAWCR
P.O. Box 20972
Roanoke, VA 24018

Physical Address:

5985 Coleman Road
Roanoke VA 24018

For directions click here.