Since 2019, Inger Giuffrida has been a force for change at WildCare Oklahoma, one of the largest wildlife rehabilitation centers in the United States—with 8,417 animal admissions in 2024 alone.
From the U.S. Peace Corps in Africa to nonprofit organizations and a think tank in Washington, D.C., to her own consulting agency, this longtime admirer of WildCare brings a wealth of economic literacy, program management, leadership and education development to any table.
“WildCare was a 180-degree shift in my career,” said Inger, who lives on 10 acres on the east side of Norman.
“I have always been an animal advocate, and I have a strong desire to work, not just volunteer where I live.”
As a consultant, regular travel was required. She worked in every state from 2002 until 2020.
“I was shocked when I was offered the executive director position and initially turned it down. But I ended up working part time to help with the founder’s transition to retirement. I ended up falling in love with the work and the staff. They kind of wore me down, and I’m grateful they did. I love this organization and our impact on Oklahomans and wildlife in our state.”
Inger operates any organization or project with a philosophy she learned in the U.S. Peace Corps: Observe. Watch. Learn. Her first challenges were improving compensation, helping create a culture of learning and team building in the 40-year organization. She believes that when you take care of your staff, they will take care of your organization or business. This meant higher salaries, fewer hours worked, continuing education, greater access to health insurance, paid time off, bonuses, uniforms, and staff meetings and training that enrich and support the team.
“Our care plans are always evolving because of scientific information and discovering new ways of doing things,” said Inger, who also hired an on-staff veterinarian, registered veterinary technicians and vet assistants, which built the medical side of WildCare. This team also supports in-home rehabbers across the state.
“We participate in wildlife conferences, send our staff to training and visit other centers because that is how we learn what others are doing differently.”
WildCare does not receive any county, state or federal support, relying primarily on individual donations, some corporate donations and foundation support for operating expenses. This year, WildCare will kick off a significant capital campaign, their largest ever, for new self-contained enclosures: the Oklahoma Raptor Center, an Aquatic Mammal Habitat (i.e., beavers, otters), a Waterfowl/Water Bird Center, and a Large Mammal Encloser (i.e., bobcats, gray and red foxes, coyotes). They will also add an animal commissary for animal food preparation and storage.
“We are open 365 days a year and fielded over 21,000 calls to our Help Desk just last year,” said WildCare’s education director, Kristy Wicker.
“Our facility is overcrowded, with many of our outdoor facilities unusable due to design and wear and tear. This expansion will make space for other species and allow the staff to remain focused on rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing native wildlife.”
Inger estimates that the Help Desk cuts down on animal admissions by half due to education over the phone. If an animal is admitted, the goal is always to get it in, rehabilitated and back into nature in as little time as possible, with as little human interaction as possible.
“Captivity is stressful to animals, and stress will exacerbate any issues they are already facing,” said Inger. “It’s not about you; it’s about the animal and what is best for them. There is a ton of bad information on the internet about caring for wild animals. While most people just want to help, we must remember that wild animals are living beings and should only be cared for by individuals trained to do so safely and correctly.”
Inger’s first response to any animal emergency is, “Don’t feed them; first, reduce their stress.” Keeping an animal warm, dark and quiet until trained help can be sought is what WildCare recommends in any situation. The WildCare staff don’t interact with animals for fun or education; they provide medical care and animal husbandry and return them to their natural environments.
“Imagine you were in a car wreck, and someone walks up and offers you a cheeseburger instead of a safe place and trained medical attention,” said Inger, who advocates for changing hearts, minds and laws related to wild animals and their care.
“WildCare staff attended more than 100 events in 2024, and we will continue to provide education anywhere we can because we believe that the public should enjoy wildlife through personal observation or with binoculars.”
Rescue, rehabilitation and release of wildlife is largely a thankless job because you never get to enjoy or interact with the animals you help, Ingrid said. WildCare’s staff makes decisions for animal care based on science and experience, which leads to improved care protocols for all animals—never on good intentions or what feels right to the individual caring for the animal.
WildCare has one of the state’s largest databases of wildlife data, participates in groundbreaking research and is now starting to impact Oklahoma’s animal advocacy efforts. They are also proud to say that 94% of their income goes directly to animal services.
“Unlike other states that fund and support animal rehabilitation centers, Oklahoma is set up to support only the extractive value industries of hunting and fishing because they are funded through revenue generated by selling licenses,” noted Inger, who co-founded the Oklahoma Animal Coalition, which was formed so that all animal organizations could work together to effect change in the state.
“Oklahoma is one of the top four most ecologically diverse states and one of the most bio-diverse states, which means that we must keep educating the public because wildlife has it hard in Oklahoma.”
WildCare offers many opportunities to get involved, from 14-week, live-in fellowships, part-time internships, and externships for veterinarian students who want wildlife experience to a general public volunteer program with a depth and breadth of options that positively impact Oklahoma’s wildlife population.
If you find an injured or abandoned wild animal or want to donate to or volunteer, give WildCare a call at 405.872.9338.
“We are open 365 days a year and fielded over 21,000 calls to our Help Desk just last year."
“Don’t feed them; first, reduce their stress.”