South Plains Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Inc. (SPWRC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of native species on the South Plains of Texas. Wildlife is accepted without regard to species, size, or popularity with the human race.

Wildlife rehabilitation is caring for injured, displaced, ill or orphaned wild creatures until such time as they can be released back into the wild. The number of displaced animals grows steadily as habitat is lost to encroachment and development.

Rehabilitation of wildlife is a carefully regulated activity, and both state and federal permits are required. Records must be kept on each protected species and submitted at the end of each calendar year to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in Austin and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

Carol Mitchell Lee founded the South Plains Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in 1988, after recognizing a need for such a facility to serve the residents and wildlife of the South Plains of Texas. The Center incorporated in 1992 and is a tax-exempt non-profit organization as designated by IRS Code 501(c)(3).

The Center is an equal opportunity rehabilitation facility and accepts animals for care regardless of of popularity with the human race. The census has grown each year, and by December 31st, 2001, 1833 state and/or federally protected wild birds, mammals and reptiles have been admitted to the Center. The goal is to return the animal to its natural wild environment whenever possible.

In addition to our rehabilitation efforts, approximately 50-60 environmental education programs are presented each year to area schools, Scout groups and interested civic and private organizations and groups. We charge a nominal fee for our environmental education programs. At the present time, the Center has permits to retain seven non-releasable 'wildlife ambassadors' for wildlife education, including a Red-tailed hawk, Peregrine falcon, American Kestrel, Common Barn Owl, Eastern screech owl, Great horned owl, a Bald and Golden eagle.

The Wildlife Center is actively involved with other agencies within the community: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, the United States Fish & Wildlife Service, city agencies -- namely Lubbock Animal Services and the Parks and Recreation Department, as well as the Llano Estacado Audubon Society.

The Wildlife Center has an internship program with Texas Tech University and students not only gain hands-on experience, but also receive credit for their work. This program was begun in 1992 with the cooperation of the Range & Wildlife Department. A similar program has been in place with Lubbock High School for the past nine years, and Estacado High School for pre-veterinary students since 2000.

An active Board of Directors helps with the overall direction, decision-making, and work of the Wildlife Center.  Veterianrian services are volunteered by Drs. Jeanette Lubenau, Blaine Oden and Mollie Fox at Above and Beyond Pet Care Hospital. Drs. Larry Farley, Lane Preston, and Tim Polk at Animal Medical Center in Lubbock also provide veterinary care. When need, after hour emergency care is provided by the Small Animal Emergency Clinic.

The Center presently has over thirty volunteers. Expenses are met through individual donations, environmental education programs, newsletter memberships, fundraising efforts, grants, gifts and Memorials. A newsletter is published quarterly since 1995 to communicate with members of the organization and Wildlife Center members, providing updates on admissions and releases, a volunteer spotlight, thanks to supporters, and other informative features and stories.

Carol Lee warms a baby gray squirrel