Wild Paws Midwest Animal Sanctuary

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Saint Croix Falls, WI
Wild Paws Midwest Animal Sanctuary

We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit seeking to provide a safe habitat for displaced wildlife.

We seek to rescue native wild animals that were injured or orphaned in the wild and are unable to be released after rehabilitation or wild animals that have been deemed a nuisance or threat to public safety due to habituation and would otherwise be euthanized. We also provide a safe haven for animals that have been kept as pets, used for entertainment or from non-reputable animal parks and attract

ions and have nowhere else to go. Our habitats mimic nature to allow every animal to feel free and provide enrichment features appropriate to each animal’s needs, allowing them to pursue their natural behaviors. We educate the public about the natural history of native species with a focus on human-animal relationships and how we can coexist. Wild Paws does not breed, buy, or sell animals, and believes wild animals should not be kept as pets.

06/09/2026

Fox Fact: By early summer, red fox kits are growing quickly and beginning an important new phase of life: learning independence.

At this stage, young foxes are spending more time exploring outside the den, practicing hunting skills, and interacting with their environment. What may look like play - chasing, pouncing, and wrestling - is actually essential practice for survival.
Parents continue to support them, but gradually encourage more independence as the kits develop the skills they’ll need to live on their own.

This is also a time when people are more likely to spot young foxes. If you do, it’s usually a normal part of their development, not a sign they’ve been abandoned. Observing from a distance helps ensure they can continue learning naturally.

06/08/2026

Across the animal kingdom, there is a wide range of behaviors, social structures, and ways of living. From cooperative parenting to lifelong bonds and everything in between, wildlife reminds us that there is no single “right” way to exist in the natural world.

At Wild Paws, we believe that understanding and respecting the natural world includes recognizing and appreciating the diversity within it. Every species, and every individual, has a role to play.

This Pride Month, we rejoice in the beauty of diversity in all its forms, human and wild. Thanks to our LGBTQ+ friends, volunteers, and supporters who stand with us in protecting wildlife and the natural world.

See Alfalfa and Finneas celebrating pride:
https://youtu.be/7RwlaT2w2uQ?si=OPT-Kt0dZOuqlTuB

# FoxColorMorphs

06/07/2026

It was National Black Bear Day yesterday and today we’re highlighting an important native species of the Midwest: the American black bear.

Black bears play a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. As omnivores, they help regulate insect and small animal populations, while also spreading seeds through their diet, supporting plant growth and forest regeneration.

They are also known as ecosystem engineers. When bears forage, dig, and move through their habitats, they help cycle nutrients and create opportunities for other species to thrive.

Despite their size and strength, black bears are typically shy animals who prefer to avoid human interaction. Protecting natural habitats and minimizing human-wildlife conflict are key to ensuring they can continue to play their role in the environment.

Learn more about the black bear: https://www.wildpaws.org/black-bear

05/29/2026

Fox Fact: Spring is a busy time for red fox families, and those tiny kits don’t stay little for long.

By late spring, fox kits are growing quickly and becoming more active outside the den. What starts as playful chasing and pouncing is actually an important part of learning how to hunt and survive.

Young foxes practice stalking, jumping, and interacting with their siblings, building the skills they’ll need as they mature. During this time, both parents continue to play a role in feeding and protecting the growing kits.

These early months are critical, which is why it’s especially important to give wildlife space. If you see young animals outdoors, it’s often a normal part of their development, not a sign they’ve been abandoned.

Learn more about foxes and our sanctuary residents: https://www.wildpaws.org/residents

05/27/2026

Bobcats are elusive and highly adaptable native wild cats found throughout much of North America, including right here in Minnesota. With their distinctive short “bobbed” tails, tufted ears, and keen hunting skills, they are well-suited to a variety of habitats from forests to wetlands.

As skilled predators, bobcats play an important role in maintaining balanced ecosystems. They help regulate populations of small mammals and other prey species, contributing to overall ecological health.

Despite their adaptability, bobcats still rely on healthy, connected habitats to survive. Protecting natural spaces ensures that these remarkable animals can continue to thrive in the wild.

At Wild Paws, education is a key part of our mission. By learning about native species like the bobcat, we can better understand and support the ecosystems we all share. Learn more about bobcats at https://www.wildpaws.org/bobcat

05/25/2026

As the season shifts into summer, it’s a great time to enjoy the outdoors and the natural spaces around us. Whether you’re spending time with family, exploring nature, or simply getting some fresh air, please be respectful of wildlife.

What does that look like? Be aware of wildlife crossing the road, especially with their offspring who aren't used to cars. Be mindful of your surroundings, be careful with campfires, and take out what you bring in on a hike or camping trip. Have a safe and wonderful summer!

05/20/2026

Happy World Bee Day! Bees are essential pollinators, helping plants reproduce by transferring pollen from one flower to another. This process supports not only wild plants, but also the fruits, vegetables, and seeds that many animals and humans depend on.

Healthy pollinator populations contribute to strong, diverse ecosystems, which in turn support wildlife at every level, from insects to large mammals.

However, bees face growing challenges from habitat loss, pesticide use, and environmental changes. Creating pollinator-friendly spaces with native plants and reducing chemical use can help support these important species.

At Wild Paws, we believe conservation starts with understanding how all living things are connected. Protecting pollinators helps protect the entire web of life.

05/15/2026

Today is Endangered Species Day, a time to recognize the importance of protecting animals at risk of extinction and the ecosystems they depend on.

Across the globe, species face growing challenges from habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and human activity. When habitats are disrupted or lost, entire populations can decline, sometimes to the point of endangerment.

Conservation efforts play a critical role in protecting these species, but success depends on a broader understanding: protecting wildlife means protecting the habitats and ecosystems that support them.

At Wild Paws, our sanctuary residents help us share this message every day. While they cannot return to the wild, they serve as ambassadors for the many species that still rely on healthy natural environments to survive.

05/12/2026

Meet Coconut, also known as Coco, one of Wild Paws’ beloved Fab 4 foxes.

Coco may be small, but she has a big personality. She’s spunky, playful, and one of the most vocal members of her group. She’s often the first to come out and greet her caretakers, with what can only be described as a little fox “smile” and a wag of her tail.

She absolutely loves squeaky toys and she’s very serious about them. Coco is known to collect and guard her favorites, making sure no one else in the group gets too close!

Coco lives at the sanctuary with her fox friends Flash, Aurora, and Midnight. Like the rest of the Fab 4, she was rescued in 2023 from a negligent breeding situation and now has the space, enrichment, and care she deserves.

Through our sponsorship program, you can help support Coco and the other animals at Wild Paws. Sponsorships help provide food, enrichment, veterinary care, and safe, enriching habitats. Learn more at https://www.wildpaws.org/sponsor-program

05/10/2026

This Mother’s Day, we’re celebrating the incredible care and dedication of wildlife moms.

For red foxes, spring is a time of constant attention and protection. Mother foxes, called vixens, spend their days nursing, grooming, and watching over their kits while they grow and learn about the world around them.

In the early weeks, kits rely entirely on their mother for warmth, safety, and nourishment. As they grow, she continues to guide and protect them while they begin exploring outside the den.

Across the animal kingdom, mothers play a vital role in raising the next generation: teaching survival skills, providing protection, and helping maintain healthy populations.

Happy Mother’s Day to all who nurture and care, both human and wild.

Address

Saint Croix Falls, WI
54024

Telephone

(715) 488-3951

Website

http://www.wildpaws.org/

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