A city zoning issue nearly shut the doors, but community support helped the wildlife nonprofit secure a permanent facility
The North Texas Wildlife Center has secured a new intake facility in Plano after months of uncertainty and a public fundraising push. The nonprofit announced the milestone Oct. 31 in a letter to supporters and a live stream on Facebook, calling it “a pivotal moment for our organization, the wildlife we serve and members of the community we help,” according to the center’s post.
The facility will undergo renovations before opening to visitors. The organization plans to remain open for intake at its current site until the move is complete.
Why It matters
The win follows a turbulent summer in which the city of Plano told the nonprofit it could no longer operate its high-traffic intake site in a residential neighborhood. The notice set a deadline to relocate and spurred a rapid campaign to raise funds and identify a compliant location.
“We have a place now,” President Rebecca Hamlin said in a live update, as reported by FOX 4. She added that the team will “tear down every custom location” at the current site and rebuild habitats at the new address before baby season returns.
How They Got Here
Photo: North Texas Wildlife Center
The deadline: On June 28, Plano informed the center that while permitted, the residential setting no longer fit zoning rules due to rising foot traffic.
The response: The nonprofit launched a fundraising drive with a $250,000 goal and rallied volunteers, donors and local media coverage to accelerate the search.
The result: By late summer, pledges met the goal. On Oct. 31, the center confirmed a new facility in Plano and thanked the city “for being so compassionate, supportive, and kind during this transition,” according to the center’s Facebook caption.
Years Of Wildlife Advocacy
Founded in 2013 as Dallas Wildlife Center, NTXWC expanded to serve the greater North Texas region. The organization now supports three core communities: the wildlife it rehabilitates, members of the public who find animals in need and other rehabilitators who rely on the center’s resources.
Its team includes licensed veterinarians, wildlife specialists and volunteers led by founder and board chair Mela Singleton. According to their website, Singleton, who began her wildlife journey after taking in an orphaned squirrel, stated that she founded the center after realizing the region lacked a dedicated rehabilitation facility. “Nobody has done it yet,” a fellow rehabber told her. Her response: “Challenge accepted.”
Photo: North Texas Wildlife Center
If You Want To help
Renovations will focus on privacy fencing, ADA access at entrances and restrooms and rebuilding enclosures, according to the center’s letter. The nonprofit aims to complete the move by early 2026, ahead of the spring surge of orphaned and injured wildlife, FOX 4 reported.
According to the center’s Facebook announcement, the team seeks volunteers for renovations and setup as it prepares the new site. Anybody interested in helping can sign up for painting, moving and setup through a form the center shared.
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