Termite damage forced the South Florida Wildlife Center in Fort Lauderdale to close parts of its clinic this week after a portion of the ceiling collapsed. Staff and volunteers say every animal currently in care is safe and continuing to receive treatment, but intake of new patients has been paused while crews make emergency repairs. The incident has sparked a fundraising push and short-term operational changes to keep lifesaving work going.
Executive Director Stacey Price wrote on Facebook, "Thanks to the swift response of our team, our animals, staff, and volunteers are safe and currently operating under contingency protocols," as reported by Local 10. The outlet also reported that crews are on site beginning "critical repairs and preventative maintenance" and that more than 500 animals remain in the center's care.
The center's official site lists donation options, volunteer information and contact details for urgent questions; supporters can also find a wish list of items to help with ongoing patient care. South Florida Wildlife Center shows its office phone (954-524-4302) and location at 3200 SW 4th Ave in Fort Lauderdale.
How to help right now
Short-term help includes donating to the center's online fund or the Facebook fundraiser the organization launched to cover repairs and care, according to Local 10. People with supplies or time can check the center's wish list and volunteer pages before showing up, and anyone finding injured wildlife should call ahead. Injured animals are being redirected to partner rehabs such as Pelican Harbor Seabird Station, Sawgrass Nature Center & Wildlife Hospital and the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW).
Background and what's next
The South Florida Wildlife Center has operated from its Fort Lauderdale site since 1969 and is one of the highest-volume wildlife hospitals in the state, per the center's website. Reporting on the organization's long-term plans shows a move to a larger campus has been in development, though a full relocation remains several years away; see earlier coverage from its planned move to Southwest Ranches. The center says it will post updates to its website and social channels as repairs progress.
