Walden's Puddle has given thousands of wild animals a chance at the life they deserve by raising orphans, rehabilitating the injured and ill, and then returning them to nature.

However, some animals sustain injuries that prevent them from
being returned to the wild. These special animals remain at Walden's Puddle to begin their careers as Wildlife Ambassadors.

Walden's Puddle offers to people of all ages the fascinating and educational experience of meeting these wild animals up close and personal through our Educational Outreach program, which offers a wide range of Wildlife Education opportunities.

• For the young, we can arrange classroom visits, Girl and Boy Scout meetings, summer camp activities and more!
• For teachers, our program may be tailored to fit the needs of your science curriculum or your class topic.
• For the adult crowd, we offer guest speakers for your next business or club meeting and informational displays at special events.

We can cover just about any topic you are curious about. For example:

• the ins and outs of wildlife rehabilitation
• the natural history of the many wild animals that call Tennessee home
• how to garden for wildlife
• how to live in harmony with wildlife
• how to humanely evict bats and other critters from your attic, etc.

Our mission is to educate our human neighbors about the wonders of our wild neighbors so that we all can have a better understanding and appreciation for our native Tennessee wildlife. Educational programs from Walden's Puddle are always free of charge.

Please remember: These FREE programs are only made possible by donations. We invite you to help support Walden’s Puddle’s Educational Outreach program one or more of the following ways!  Get your family, organization or school class involved!  

When you adopt one of our “wildlife ambassadors,” you’ll receive:

• an adoption kit with an adoption certificate
• “your” animal’s biography and natural history
• a professional color photo of “your” animal.
• a subscription to our newsletter and recognition of your adoption in the newsletter
• an opportunity to meet “your” adopted critter!

All adoptions are $35 for each animal or animal group.
Please choose up to 10 animal(s) you would like to adopt:

Phoenix the American Kestrel

Forrest the Barred Owl

Pacino the Cooper's Hawk

Chester the Eastern Box Turtle

Martha the Eastern Box Turtle

Chip the Eastern Chipmunk

Gary the Eastern Garter Snake

Billy the Eastern Garter Snake

Tripod the Eastern Gray Squirrel

Chip Chip the Eastern Gray Squirrel

Reno the Eastern Screech Owl

Miss Upsy Daisy the Great Horned Owl

Maverick the Red-tailed Hawk

Roxy, Spike, Purple Marty, Crooked Beak and Kenny the Songbirds

Olivia the Virginia Opossum

Clicking Continue, will redirect you to PayPal to complete
the signup and payment process.

Thank you for your support of Walden’s Puddle…
Giving wildlife a second chance!

Sponsor an Educational Exhibit for a resident “Wildlife Ambassador!”  Many of our non-releasable animals must be transferred elsewhere due to lack of suitable enclosures here. You can donate funds, supplies, the construction or all of the above to help build much needed, attractive outdoor habitat enclosures to house our hard working ambassadors and for the public to enjoy! One of our goals is to build an Interpretive Nature Trail with Educational Animal Exhibits and open it to the public for a fun and informative experience for everyone.

Please call (615) 299-9938 or email wildlife@waldenspuddle.org for details about this opportunity.

Tennessee state law prohibits individuals from keeping wild animals without a permit. This is done for the well being of the animal itself as well as for the protection of the person who found it. Because of this, Walden's Puddle does not give out feeding instructions. We do, however, want to assist you and the animal that you have found, so we offer emergency instructions for wildlife care for your use until you can get the animal to us! It may then be admitted to the center by appointment. Please call (615) 299-9938 and leave a message. We will return your call as promptly as possible and schedule a time for your admission. Please keep in mind that we are restricted by law to rehabilitation of animals found within the state of Tennessee.

Walden's Puddle is a non-profit organization and does not charge a fee for services. If you would like to make a donation, we gladly welcome your support! In fact, we absolutely depend on your support to perform the overwhelming load of rehabilitation services and free education programs for the community.

Please handle the animal that you have found with care. Over handling an animal can lead to stress-related death. Also, because wild animals can have communicable diseases, you should always wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly after any contact with the animal. Should you be bitten, the animal may need to be euthanized and checked for disease.

To provide care to sick,
injured and orphaned
native Tennessee wildlife
and to provide educational experiences to the community, allowing for
a greater understanding
and appreciation of wildlife.

The goal at Walden’s
Puddle is to return as many wild animals as possible to nature. No animal is turned away as long as we have adequate funds. We are
not species-specific, instead choosing to assist all wild
animals in need.