History
The WDN was created in October 2020, as a partnership between the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.[2][3] The network is made up of rehabilitation centers, veterinarians, trained animal care volunteers, wildlife biologists and ecologists.[4]
It was modelled after the Oiled Wildlife Care Network, which was started at UC Davis for rescuing birds and other marine animals from oil spills.[4][1] It is led by Jamie Peyton, Eric Johnson, Deana Clifford and Michael Ziccardi.[5]
In 2021, it was one of 29 recipients of a US$1,000,000 grant from the Dave and Cheryl Duffield Foundation to rescue and rehabilitate animals injured by the Caldor Fire.[6]
