About Us

The Wilderz at Pocono Wildlife serve the greater Northeast PA region. This includes, but not limited to Monroe, Northampton, Wayne, Lackawanna, Pike, Luzerne, Susquehanna, Wyoming, Lehigh, and Carbon County. Servicing over 10 counties, we are the only facility in PA to take in and rehab bears. Our staff and volunteers are the backbone to running this facility all year-round. The Wilderz are licensed by and work with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the PA Fish & Boat Commission, and the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

The Executive Directors, Janine and Susan, are both licensed rehabilitators who work closely with the public, municipalities, and other agencies to rescue and rehabilitate injured and orphaned animals, with the goal to release them back to the wild. Their unique approach to blending homeopathy and allopathy in treating animals has stood out amongst their peers and other rehabbers alike.

As a 501(c)(3), we rely solely on donations from individuals and businesses to drive our mission. The support that we receive from the community is essential to what we do. In turn, we strive to give back to the public through education and service.

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Our Mission:

Rescue, Rehabilitate, Release

We strive to serve our community and local wildlife. Not only is our goal to create a place for animals in need, but it is also to create a place that supports the relationships between humans and wildlife. We aspire to educate and guide the public towards a symbiotic relationship with the wildlife all around us.

Meet Our Team

I started this journey with wildlife through Capture and Transport, rescuing animals and getting them the care they needed. I am an animal intuitive, Reiki Master and teacher, and a licensed PA wildlife rehabilitator. One of my missions in life is to create a symbiotic relationship between humans and wildlife through awareness and education.
Susan Downing

Executive Director

I’ve worked with birds my whole life, gaining experience with livestock birds (I have a pet chicken named Da Baby), exotics, songbirds, corvids, and raptors. I am currently studying avian behavior and training to eventually become a falconer. I have worked at this center for a little over 2 years now and am grateful for the experience that I’ve gained thus far.

Sampson Metzgar

Staff

My passion is working with animals. I spent many years in domestic animal rescue and previously owned a social media marketing company. I have a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Lehigh University, several years of clinic experience as a veterinary technician, and a PA Wildlife Rehabilitator license. My mission is to care for wild animals and educate the public on the importance of keeping our wildlife protected and respected.
Janine Tancredi

Executive Director

I started my career in wildlife in 2001 under the tutelage of Mary Jane Stretch, working at a well-established wildlife rehab center for 18 years. I am a licensed PA rehabilitator and am living the dream working every day with injured/orphaned wildlife. I love sharing and teaching volunteers and the public about our day-to-day. To facilitate in the Rescue, Rehabilitate, and Release of our animals is a dream come true. love sharing my knowledge with volunteers and the public.
Kathryn "Kat" Schuster

Clinic Manager

The Wilderz at Pocono Wildlife

Phone

570-402-0223

Email

poconowildlife@gmail.com

Address

1161 Cherry Drive,
Stroudsburg, PA 18360

1-833-PGC-WILD