Welcome to A.E.R.O.! Animal Education and Rescue Organization (A.E.R.O.) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned, injured, and sick native Virginia wildlife in need of help in order to survive. Our Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (VDWR) licensed wildlife rehabilitators, apprentices, and care providers devote hundreds of hours to restore the wildlife in their care to good health so that they can be released back into the wild.

Currently, A.E.R.O. consists of a dedicated team of nine skilled at-home rehabbers, alongside multiple apprentices diligently working towards becoming full-fledged rehabbers themselves. In addition to our core team, we are supported by compassionate licensed caregivers and volunteers who play integral roles in our mission. A.E.R.O. has proudly trained 16 apprentices who have earned their Category 2 Wildlife Rehabilitation Permits, with many more currently in training. Through our comprehensive program, we are expanding the network of skilled, well-trained rehabbers equipped with best practices and the latest rehabilitation technology to provide exceptional wildlife care.

Each year, A.E.R.O. takes in an incredible 1,000 animals on average—that’s 5,000 wild lives saved over just the past five years. This staggering number reflects the ever-growing need for wildlife rehabilitation and underscores the immense dedication and hard work of our team. All of A.E.R.O.’s Category 2 licensed rehabbers are rabies vaccinated, licensed, insured, and equipped with incubators and advanced tools, ensuring expert care for every animal we treat. Every single animal represents a second chance at life, and through our collective efforts, we provide them with the care, treatment, and support needed to return to the wild where they belong.

Join us in our mission to make a tangible difference in the lives of wildlife and help build a future where humans and animals coexist in harmony.