DFW Wildlife Coalition, Inc is a nonprofit serving greater Dallas/Fort Worth and surrounding twenty counties of the north Texas region. We have the capability of helping the public with wildlife throughout our nation and do so when contacted by someone in need. We are 100% volunteer operated. We receive no agency funding. Funding for the hotline is individual donations and an occasional grant. Our Virtual hotline is one of a kind nationwide, it is active 365 days/year from 7 am to 10 pm central time.
Our hotline volunteers provide information and resources for wildlife as described but not limited to:
- Provide identification and reunification guidance when appropriate to keep wild babies with wild moms. This directly reduces the number of kidnapped or orphaned wild babies our local wildlife rehabilitators receive.
- Educate on natural history, so our public understands the value of our wild neighbors we share our cities with.
- Through education, we can reduce unfounded fear resulting in the reduction of trapping. Trapping is seldom the solution. Options for a trapped animal are to kill or relocate. Studies reveal that relocated wildlife seldom survive.
- Guide the public as to when a rescue is appropriate and if needed where to find a permitted wildlife rehabilitator for that species.
- Provide DIY solutions to wildlife conflicts that meet the standards of the National Humane Society. The eviction of a wild animal permits the mother to take her young with her which directly reduces the incidence of orphans.
- If the public prefers to contract with a company to evict or solve a conflict; we provide responsible referrals to humane removal companies that adhere to the National Humane Society's standards for wildlife removal.
- Educate on the proper behaviors and hazing techniques for the public to perform to keep our wild predators, coyote, and bobcat, fearful of close contact to people. When coyotes and bobcats are fearful of close encounters, we all remain safer including the animals.
You might wonder, is there really a need for a wildlife hotline? How often do animals really need help? Until you have experienced finding an animal in need you may not know where to look for help and guidance. That is why we have a hotline. DFW Wildlife Coalition Hotline began January of 2003 with three hundred telephone calls. Today, twenty years later, we have responded to 7,834 calls from January 1, 2022, to mid-August this year only. Each call pertains to at least one animal and often multiple animals such as a nest of bunnies or birds or a dozen ducklings. Our service is valuable to the caller when they need help and guidance ASAP.
Our needs.
Our needs are for volunteers and donations.
To be a volunteer you will need a phone, an internet connection, and a computer in most cases. However, you can work from a smart phone. We have two volunteer opportunities: Tier 1 is the call center operator responding to the public's phone calls, Tier 2 operates Chat from our public site, www.dfwwildlife.org and responds to public emails. They will also lend a hand to the Tier 1 volunteer if needed. Your shift and volunteer duties are 100% virtual making it possible for anyone to volunteer, even folks from outside of north Texas or individuals with disabilities.
Joining our team of currently over seventy volunteers, you will meet kindred spirits making a difference for the wildlife in your neighborhood and city. That difference is one individual wild animal’s life or a nest full of babies with each phone call you take. You will experience the joy of succeeding in reunification of a baby squirrel or helping a member of the public succeed in evicting a mother raccoon all while giving her the chance to take her babies with her. These are two examples of rewarding calls you will experience. Not to mention you will learn valuable information that will go on with you forever. Our volunteers report that their shift helps them to see the good in people such as the busy executive stopping to rescue an animal in need.
Speaking of busy, our volunteers are busy individuals. That is why this opportunity works for them Your commitment is a 2- or 3-hour shift once a week. Even better you choose the location: home, sitting by the pool or at your office. We provide resources, education, mentors, and access to your fellow volunteer. All the tools you will need to make a lifesaving difference.
This is truly a rewarding opportunity if you love helping people and love animals. Join our "wild" family today, email or call us: info@dfwwildlife.org or 972-234-WILD (9453).