Featured Destination Story

Northwoods Wildlife Center

Minocqua, WI

The culmination of a dream of local veterinarian Dr. Rory Foster and his wife Linda, the Northwoods Wildlife Center was incorporated in 1979 and became a separate entity from his veterinarian clinic, Foster-Smith Animal Hospital in Minocqua. After a 2-day old fawn with a broken leg and was admitted to his clinic, the Fosters were determined to help multitudes of other wild animal species brought to the clinic by concerned citizens.

It was decided then that the Fosters would form a non-profit organization dedicated to helping injured wildlife. The Northwoods Wildlife Center wildlife hospital was built next to Dr. Foster’s practice and officially opened on June 19, 1982, becoming one of the first wildlife hospitals in the Midwest.

Education programs and the space to house permanent residents were both soon added. Dr. Foster wrote two books, Dr. Wildlife, and I Never Met an Animal I Didn’t Like, detailing the activities of the Northwoods Wildlife Center. Although Dr. Foster passed away in 1987 at the age of 37, his dream and passion have continued with the help of staff, volunteers, supporters, and interns.