Acorn Acres Wildlife Rehabilitation

The Next Second Chance. 

More than 600 animals have already needed Acorn Acres in 2026. Who will be next?

A baby squirrel blown from a nest during a storm.

A cottontail injured by a cat.

A mother opossum struck by a car, with babies still alive in her pouch.

A groundhog needing weeks of specialized medical care.

We never know what the next phone call will bring.

We only know there will be a next one.

And when an injured, orphaned, or displaced wild animal needs help, someone has to be ready to say yes.

This ExtraGive, your gift can create The Next Second Chance.

WILDLIFE NEEDS US MORE THAN EVER

The need for wildlife rehabilitation in our community has grown dramatically.

216 patients in 2024.

More than 630 in 2025.

More than 600 patients already in 2026.

Those aren't just numbers.

Each one represents an individual wild animal, and a person who cared enough to find help.

Acorn Acres Wildlife Rehabilitation is a 100% volunteer-run non-profit wildlife rehabilitation and education center in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. From mouse to beaver, we provide professional care for Pennsylvania's native prey species, with specialized expertise in squirrels, groundhogs, eastern cottontails, and Virginia opossums.

Today, animals come to Acorn Acres from communities across 17 counties.

And every patient begins the same way.

Someone asks us for help.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER WE SAY YES?

Sometimes, it's simple.

Warmth, Proper nutrition. A safe place to grow. Time.

Other times, saying yes means weeks or months of intensive care.

Our patients may need x-rays, anesthesia, prescription medications, wound care, laboratory testing, specialized nutrition, around the clock feedings, species specific housing and carefully managed rehabilitation before they are ready to return to the wild.

Sometimes diagnostic imaging answers the most important question of all: Can this animal be saved?

We are proud to collaborate with local veterinarians, community businesses, and respected wildlife organizations nationwide, ensuring that the animals entrusted to our care receive the best possible outcomes.

Your support sustains every rescue, every recovery, and every release. Together, we’re creating a future where humans and wildlife thrive side by side.

  

🏫 Welcoming the Public: See Wildlife Rehabilitation in Action

Thanks to our new facility, we can finally invite the community inside to see what wildlife rehabilitation truly looks like; the skill, compassion, and dedication that go into every patient’s recovery.

Through open houses, guided tours, and educational events, visitors can experience the process firsthand: from medical treatment to feeding, enrichment, and release preparation. This transparency helps demystify what we do and builds a deeper understanding of the challenges and rewards of caring for Pennsylvania’s wildlife. These opportunities will be further expanded in 2026.

By opening our doors, we’re strengthening the connection between people and the wild, showing that coexistence is not only possible but essential.

🎓Educational and STEM Programs

Education is at the heart of our mission. Through STEM-based programs for schools, community organizations, and individuals, Acorn Acres connects learners of all ages with the natural world.

Our educational ambassadors, rescued animals who cannot be released help teach respect, empathy, and environmental stewardship. Students engage in hands-on learning experiences that align with STEM standards and encourage a lifelong appreciation for wildlife and conservation.

💚How You Can Help

This GiveLocal, your gift fuels:

• Critical medical care and rehabilitation for injured and orphaned wildlife.

• Expansion of our education and outreach programs.

• A safe, predator-free environment where recovery leads to release.

When you Give Wild, you’re not just donating — you’re giving life, hope, and freedom to wildlife from both Lancaster and York!

Because when you give, they live. 🐿️🦫🐇🌿