Who we are

Raven Ridge is a non-profit wildlife rehabilitation center in Washington Boro, PA specializing in healing injured birds of prey, mammals, and waterfowl in the Lancaster County area.

For immediate issues, call us

Candid 2025

our mission

Our goal is to give wild animals a second chance at life all across this beautiful state and beyond. We’re expanding our facilities all the time to offer the highest-quality care to as many animals as we can. Once our patients are fully healed, we release them into the wild again where they can live out the rest of their lives as part of a healthy and balanced ecosystem.

Helping our neighbors

Conservation is at the core of our growing operation. Human activity such as driving, neighborhood development, and hunting can sometimes confuse or injure the animals that lived in the area before us. By offering our services for no charge, we hope to reach every person who encounters injured wildlife so we can give that animal a fighting chance. We want to help all of our neighbors, whether they’re feathered or furry!

“Our quality of care is their quality of life”

Conservation is at the core of our growing operation. Human activity such as driving, neighborhood development, and hunting can sometimes confuse or injure the animals that lived in the area before us. By offering our services for no charge, we hope to reach every person who encounters injured wildlife so we can give that animal a fighting chance. We want to help all of our neighbors, whether they’re feathered or furry!

I found an amimal

If you find an injured animal, call us and we will talk you through the proper procedures 

About us

Raven Ridge was founded by one of the few accredited wildlife rehabilitators in Pennsylvania, Tracie Young. Aided by a team of highly-trained volunteers, Tracie spearheads rehabilitation efforts by diagnosing our patients’ conditions, defining handling procedures, and performing surgery as necessary. Our volunteers handle the day-to-day care and upkeep to ensure our patients are healthy and comfortable during their stay at Raven Ridge. We have a saying in the office that defines our work: “Our quality of care is their quality of life.”

Conservation is at the core of our growing operation. Human activity such as driving, neighborhood development, and hunting can sometimes confuse or injure the animals that lived in the area before us. By offering our services for no charge, we hope to reach every person who encounters injured wildlife so we can give that animal a fighting chance. We want to help all of our neighbors, whether they’re feathered or furry!

Programs

In addition to assisting sick, injured, and abandoned wildlife, we conduct educational programs for our community.

Our ambassador program allows you to meet wildlife up close and personal. You can learn all about what makes these creatures so exceptional and why it’s vital to protect them.

Read through our Education Program Guide to discover more about the programs we currently offer. Then, complete our online Interest Form to book your program today!

MAKE YOUR EVENT SPECIAL WITH RAVEN RIDGE’S AMBASSADORS

No matter what kind of event you’re hosting, Raven Ridge can tailor our Ambassador Program to suit your group’s needs. Most people never have the opportunity to meet wildlife in a safe, educational environment. Thanks to Raven Ridge’s Ambassador Programs, you could do just that! Our ambassador program allows you to meet wildlife up close and personal. You can learn all about what makes these creatures so exceptional and why it’s so important to protect them, You may even get to see Barron von Vulture’s famous “Eagle Pose”!

Meet Our Ambassadors!

Due to an injury or imprinting on humans, some animals that Raven Ridge rehabilitates are considered “unreleasable.” This means they’re no longer able to survive in the wild on their own. Because every animal deserves a second chance, these patients become permanent residents of Raven Ridge, and some permanent residents become ambassadors!

Ambassador Teddy

Teddy

Barred Owl

Ambassador Barron

Barron

Black Vulture

Ambassador Marty

Marty

Big Brown Bat

Ambassador Monster

Monster

Striped Skunk

Ambassador Oberon

Oberyn

Black Rat Snake

Ambassador Ozzy

Ozzy

Box Turtle

Phoenix Peregrine Falcon

Phoenix

Peregrine Falcon

merit

Meret

Broad-winged Hawk

khunso

Khonsu

Barn Owl

Harriet

Harriet

Box Turtle

Volunteer

Help us save wild lives.

Volunteering at Raven Ridge is a great way to help animals in need while giving back to the community, learning about amazing creatures, and gaining valuable animal care experience.

We rely heavily on volunteers to help with cleaning enclosures, preparing meals, and assisting with educational and fund-raising programs.

As a Raven Ridge volunteer, you will work closely with our experienced staff members. Volunteering at Raven Ridge does require a commitment of at least four hours per week. Volunteers must be at least 25 years old.

We will be accepting new volunteer applications in Fall 2025.

Please check back then. Thank you for your interest.

Gray Fox 02
Volunteering

Wildlife rehabilitation work is multifaceted and demanding.

 Many permit holders burn out from the work and their centers close after just a few years.

One person cannot do the work alone but together we can make a huge difference! Whether you are comfortable working with the animals or not, YOU have special talents we can use. If you love what we are doing and want to be a part of our mission,
please consider volunteering.

What is involved with volunteering?

You will be exposed to and have the opportunity to assist with all aspects
of wildlife rehabilitation. Your main tasks will be cleaning cages, weighing animals, preparing diets, and providing food for the “self-feeding” animals.
There are many other tasks such as cleaning and maintaining the facilities, laundry, and dishes. There may be unique opportunities such as assisting with special events and programs.

We have three shifts we run from spring to fall ~ 8am-12pm,12pm-4pm and 4pm-8pm.  

 During the winter season we cut back our hours and only have morning and afternoon shifts. You are asked to commit to 1 four-hour shift per week and to work the same shift each week. While we certainly work around our volunteer’s other commitments, absolute reliability insofar as manning your shift is required! You are also welcome to add more shifts to your schedule if desired.  

We train and work on a volunteer road map. We have a three-tier system to guide you in your training. As you learn, you can take on more responsibilities and will be able to experience advance opportunities. Feeding baby wild animals (both mammals and birds of prey) is a task that takes a special commitment and offers great personal rewards. Care Assistants will also be asked to perform tasks associated with the Animal Care Assistant position and help other volunteers with general tasks.

General Tasks
Learn proper feeding techniques for many baby wild mammals, raptors,  and maintain a strict feeding schedule for those animals also helps with cleaning and maintaining the facilities, laundry, dishes, and diet prep.

We also need volunteer help for specific events. Please contact us for information regarding upcoming events and how you can help.

If you have a group who would like to volunteer, small or large, please contact us for information on how you can help.

RRWC Shop

Buying and using Raven Ridge Wildlife Center Merchandise helps us in two ways… your direct financial support as well as spreading awareness when others see you wearing or using our merchandise.