folke peterson center / findlay sanctuary overview

The Folke Peterson Wildlife Center is a unique place; a hospital and rehabilitation facility where all the patients are wild birds, mammals and reptiles!

Located on 30 acres in Palm Beach County, Florida that were donated by original owner, Bonnie Findlay of Bambi Bird & Wildlife Sanctuary, the land was officially designated a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1969. With 5 acres containing facility buildings, the remaining 25 acres remain intact and are used as a release site for some species.

Our FPWC facility includes a 5,000-square foot state-of-the-art wildlife hospital with a full surgical suite, lab, x-ray room, treatment and patient rooms, a nursery and a large kitchen.

In addition to the fully-equipped hospital, the main building houses a large central lobby / reception area where patients are admitted and visitors greeted, and an administrative office wing, complete with a large conference room and second kitchen.

Outdoors there are more than 16,000-square feet of natural and protected habitats that serve as interim housing for recovering birds and animals. Once leaving the confines of the hospital, recovering patients are moved to one of these habitats where they can test newly- mended wings and limbs in anticipation of being released back into the wild, to live free, as nature intended.

The Reptile and Water Bird enclosures together encompass almost 6,000 square feet and each contains a man-made pond with a fountain and native landscaping.

Mammal Building: Almost 2000 square feet with 20 individual cages and a center aisle.

Raptor Flight Cage: Over 5,000 square feet comprised of 20 individual outside "mews" (10 cages on 2 sides of the flight cage) and two interior free-flight cages.

Bird Aviary: Approximately 3200 square feet overall, the aviary is divided in half and is comprised of various-sized, custom built, walk-in cages on either side.

Additionally, Bonnie Findlay's 2 bedroom former home on the property now provides free housing for our volunteering, extern and intern veterinary students.

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