A Not-for-Profit Wildlife Rehabilitation Facility
About Us
Founded in 2003, Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation is a state and federally licensed, private, not-for-profit 501(c)3 wildlife rehabilitation center dedicated to the care of injured and orphaned wildlife and to educating the public about wildlife and wildlife-related issues. Flint Creek Wildlife treats all species of wild birds, reptiles, and amphibians and treats all wild mammals excluding skunks, bats, and raccoons.
Flint Creek Wildlife currently operates its main facility from a property in the greater Barrington, Illinois area. Flint Creek Wildlife has a satellite facility in downtown Chicago at Northerly Island (formerly Meigs Field). Flint Creek Wildlife does not receive government funding and is entirely dependent on public donations. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed under law.
Since accepting our first animals for treatment in early 2004, we quickly grew to be one of the largest wildlife rehabilitation centers in Illinois, treating up to 3,400 animals annually including endangered and threatened species. Our Barrington location is equipped with almost everything you would find at a veterinarian’s office such as IV pumps, incubators, nebulizers, warming blankets, oxygen and anesthesia.
Our Chicago location, which is made possible by the Chicago Park District’s generous donation of space at Northerly Island, is the only wildlife rehabilitation center in the city. This location is uniquely situated on Chicago’s beautiful lakefront right by the museum campus at the former Meig’s Field Terminal Building. The proximity of Northerly Island is of benefit both to the residents of Chicago as well as to the animals we treat. Many injuries are time-sensitive, particularly acute traumas such as head trauma caused when migratory birds strike the windows of Chicago’s buildings. Early treatment means higher survival rates. In fact, since the 2007 migration season, we have achieved an astounding 90% survival rate every year on head trauma cases picked up by our rescue teams in downtown Chicago and treated at our Northerly Island facility, which is over 15% higher than we achieved when birds were transported to the suburbs for initial care.
Because we receive no government funding and cannot yet afford to hire full-time licensed rehabilitators for Northerly Island, the location is currently a triage center focused on stabilizing critically injured animals. Animals are transported daily back to our facility where they receive round-the-clock medical care.
Our Mission
Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation is a state and federally licensed facility dedicated to the rehabilitation of injured, sick and orphaned wildlife with the goal of returning fully rehabilitated wildlife to its natural habitat. Flint Creek promotes respect for wildlife and wildlife habitats through public education programs. Flint Creek also supports efforts to repopulate endangered and threatened wildlife species.
Locations & Hours
Barrington
Hours
Animals accepted by appointment only - please call us for an appointment. We are open every day of the year, including major holidays.
Appointments are scheduled around feeding schedules and critical care. We simply could not provide the best possible care for animals without adhering to this policy. As a result, we will not accommodate persons that arrive without an appointment. Thank you for your understanding.
Animals Accepted
Chicago (Northerly Island)
Address (Directions)
1521 S. Linn White Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60605
THIS LOCATION IS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO A FIRE THAT OCCURRED ON NOVEMBER 26, 2023. WE WILL UPDATE THE WEBSITE ONCE THIS LOCATION IS OPEN AGAIN.
Hours
Our Notherly Island location is closed temporarily due to a fire that occurred in the building on November 26, 2023. No one was hurt in the fire. Please contact us if you have injured or orphaned wildlife in Chicago so that we can make arrangements to help you. We will still have daily transports coming out of the city.
We accept injured birds and injured small mammals (excluding skunks, bats, and raccoons) between the hours of 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM.
Orphaned birds and orphaned mammals are accepted between the hours of 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM ONLY after we’ve discussed the situation with you and agreed that the animal needs treatment. Orphaned animals can often be reunited with their parents and, unless injured, this is always best for the animal. As a result, we do require you to call us first so that we can provide you with the best possible solution.
Because our Northerly Island location is only open limited hours, all animals admitted at our Northerly Island facility are transferred to our Barrington facility where they receive 24-hour care.
Our Northerly Island facility is closed major holidays and, due to problems accessing our facility, it is also closed on days that the Chicago Bears play at Soldier Field in the afternoon. A list of closures follows:
Sunday, October 1, 2023 - Chicago Bears' home game
Sunday, October 8, 2023 - Chicago Marathon
Sunday, October 15, 2023 - Chicago Bears' home game
Sunday, October 22, 2023 - Chicago Bears' home game
Thursday, November 23, 2023 - Thanksgiving
Sunday, December 10, 2023 - Chicago Bears' home game
Monday, December 25, 2023 - Christmas
Sunday, December 31, 2023 - Chicago Bears' home game
Monday, January 1, 2023 - New Year’s Day
Animals Accepted
*Our facility accepts deer, fox and coyote by appointment