The mission of the Peace River Wildlife Center is to treat and rehabilitate injured and orphaned native Florida wildlife (except venomous snakes) and, if possible, to return them to the wild.

If they cannot be returned to their natural habitat due to sustained non life-threatening physical limitations, a permanent home shall be provided by the Center. We also seek to inform the public about native Florida wildlife and how to co-exist with these beautiful creatures successfully through formal educational outreach activities.

The Peace River Wildlife Center is a nonprofit 503c organization dedicated to the care, preservation and protection of Charlotte County's native wildlife.


Animals (mammals, birds and reptiles) that have been orphaned, displaced or injured are brought to the center. Presently, our annual admission's tally is roughly 2,000; this number has steadily increased every year. Most of our "patients" are rehabilitated and later released back to their natural habitat. For those animals whose injuries are too extensive, the PRWC becomes their permanent home. At present, we have approximately 125 residents. We do not receive any government funding. [^top^]

We are a Rehabilitation & Intensive Care Facility. Much of what is done at the PRWC takes place "behind the scenes" in our intensive care area.

Here, animals that have been injured are brought in, medically evaluated and treated. Their successful rehabilitation depends, in part, on solitude and quiet. Hence, this area is off limits to the public. [^top^]

Tours

Tours are offered from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and are provided at no cost to visitors. We depend upon private donations for our existence. Whether you're visiting for the first, second or tenth time, there's always something new to behold in the grace of the animals who now reside permanently at the center. If you'd like a guided tour, they're given regularly throughout the day. If you would prefer to walk through at your leisure, a volunteer will get you started and remain accessible to answer questions you may have. We also provide School, Camp, and Church group tours, please call the office for an appointment (so a tour guide can be specifically assigned to the large group.) [^top^]

The Peace River Wildlife Center is located in the Ponce de Leon Park at 3400 Ponce de Leon Parkway, Punta Gorda, Florida 33950. We are open to the public from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. 7 days a week year round including holidays. Please call us if you would like to know if we are open on holidays, since we sometimes close early on holidays. Wildlife needing attention is received seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. everyday to receive injured, orphaned or ill wildlife. Located by the front gate is a secured receptacle for an after-hour's drop-off. [^top^]