Together for WiTAS Karlsruhe

This year's charity partner is WiTAS Karlsruhe e. V., the Wildlife Rescue and Support Center of Karlsruhe.

Maybe you have seen an injured squirrel, a young hedgehog, or a bird of prey by the side of the road and wondered who takes care of these animals. That is exactly why WiTAS exists. The organization was founded in 2018 and is now the main contact point for injured, weakened, and orphaned wild animals in the greater Karlsruhe area.

The volunteers care for a wide variety of native wildlife. This includes songbirds, water birds, and birds of prey, as well as squirrels, dormice, hedgehogs, hazel dormice, wild rabbits, hares, and bats. Native reptiles, foxes, and martens also receive the help they urgently need.

Photos: WiTAS Karlsruhe e. V.

More than 1,200 cases in 2025

The numbers from last year show just how important this work is. In 2025 alone, WiTAS handled more than 1,200 wildlife cases. Around 580 animals were taken in by volunteer foster carers, received medical treatment, and were cared for until they could be released back into the wild. In more than 640 additional cases, people who had found injured animals received advice by phone, email, or WhatsApp, allowing the animals to be cared for on site or safely transferred to suitable foster carers. The animals ranged from hedgehogs, squirrels, hares, and dormice to songbirds, swifts, and birds of prey. WiTAS has even helped wild animals from France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the border region between Poland and Ukraine through its network of dedicated volunteers. Every single case is different and requires experience, patience, and dedication. Thanks to this commitment, countless wild animals get a second chance every year.

Advice and education

But WiTAS does much more than care for injured animals. The organization also plays an important role in educating the public. It offers wildlife care workshops and educational events in kindergartens, schools, and local scout groups. In addition, the volunteers answer several thousand questions every year by email, phone, and WhatsApp. Thanks to their advice, many animals can be helped without ever needing to be brought to a foster home.

Run by volunteers

What makes WiTAS so special is that almost all of its work is done by volunteers. The animals are cared for in private foster homes, often for several weeks or even months. At the same time, there are many costs for veterinary treatment, medication, food, transport, and equipment. These expenses are covered entirely through membership fees, sponsors, and donations.

The dream of a rescue center

When WiTAS was founded in 2018, the organization had one major goal: to build its own wildlife rescue center for the greater Karlsruhe area. Although this goal has not yet been achieved, the team continues to work every day to create the financial and organizational foundations needed to make it happen. Until then, the dedicated volunteers make sure that no wild animal is left without the chance to receive help.

Donate to WiTAS

Every donation goes directly to WiTAS and helps cover vet bills, medication, food, and transport for the animals in their care.