Rescue is only the beginning.

 ARC Wild provides licensed, professionally trained wildlife rehabilitation across 10 counties across northeast Kansas. We operate a wildlife hotline, provide conservation education, and participate in research. Our team of state and federally licensed rehabilitators, educators, transporters, and volunteers is dedicated to protecting Kansas wildlife and the ecosystems they call home.

It all began with a single raccoon. In 2009, Sherri McNary was asked to help an injured baby raccoon. Her search for assistance led her to Dennis Dinwiddie of Northeast Kansas Wildlife Rescue (NEKSWR), who encouraged her to become involved in wildlife rehabilitation. 

After years of rehabilitation work and volunteering as an education docent with the Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center and 9 years with NEKSWR, Sherri saw a need for greater access to wildlife rescue and conservation education in rural Kansas. With guidance from experienced wildlife professionals, ARC Wild began taking shape in 2016..

In 2017, ARC Wild welcomed its first animal ambassador and presented its first public education program in Hiawatha, Kansas. Within two years, more than 10,000 youth had participated in ARC Wild's live-animal programs and hands-on learning experiences.

ARC Wild continued to grow, adding trained rehabilitators, educators, transporters, and volunteers. In 2022, the organization expanded its rehabilitation services, allowing ARC Wild to serve more of northern Kansas counties. Our mission also expanded beyond rehabilitation. ARC Wild supported wildlife response efforts during environmental emergencies, helped prepare for future wildlife disasters in Kansas, and developed opportunities for young people interested in conservation careers through ARC Wild Rangers, internships, and scholarships.

In April 2025, ARC Wild's wildlife rehabilitation facility was destroyed by fire—right in the middle of baby season. There was no time to stop. Our education facility became a makeshift wildlife hospital, volunteers rallied, and rehabilitation continued. Despite the loss, ARC Wild still cared for more than 780 wild animals that year while beginning the difficult process of rebuilding.

Today, construction of our new wildlife rehabilitation facility is approximately 75% complete, and ARC Wild continues providing wildlife rehabilitation, conservation education, a youth Ranger program and community outreach throughout northeast Kansas and beyond.

What began with one sick baby raccoon has grown into a network of people working together to rescue wildlife, protect native species, and inspire the next generation to care for the wild world around them.