Founder & lead rehabilitator
Day-to-day operations and animal care are led by our federally licensed rehabilitator, supported by trained intake volunteers.
About Stick House Sanctuary
A federally licensed wildlife rehabilitation facility in El Paso, Texas — giving orphaned and injured wild animals a second chance since 10.
Illustrative wildlife photo: Great Blue Heron — Tom Koerner / U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, public domain.
Our story
Built to fill a gap in El Paso
Stick House Sanctuary was founded in 2016 to fill a gap in the El Paso region: when a great blue heron tangled in fishing line, an orphaned raccoon, or a domestic duck dumped at a local lake had nowhere to go, there was no federally permitted facility ready to take them in. We built one.
Founded and led by Julie Ito Morales, a federally licensed wildlife rehabilitator, the sanctuary has grown into a trusted resource for neighbors, first responders, and partner organizations across the Southwest.
- Federally licensedPermitted by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to care for protected migratory birds.
- Since 2016A decade of caring for El Paso’s orphaned and injured wildlife.
- El Paso & the SouthwestServing the El Paso region and surrounding communities.
Mission
Our mission
To give every orphaned, injured, or displaced wild animal in our region a genuine second chance — through skilled rehabilitation, humane lifetime sanctuary when return to the wild isn’t possible, and education that helps our community coexist with local wildlife.
What we stand for
The values behind our work
Five principles guide every decision we make — from intake to release, from fundraising to community education.
01
Every life matters
No animal is too small or too common to deserve care. A baby cottontail and a great blue heron each receive the same commitment to their wellbeing.
02
Release first
Our goal is always a healthy animal returned to the wild. Every care plan is built around giving the animal the best possible chance of release.
03
Evidence-based care
Our protocols follow current wildlife rehabilitation standards and the conditions of our federal permit — not guesswork or sentiment.
04
Sanctuary when needed
Animals that cannot survive in the wild get a permanent, humane home with us — never released just to satisfy a number.
05
Community-powered
We exist because neighbors care enough to call. Our work depends on the people of El Paso noticing, reporting, and supporting wildlife in need.
Governance
How we’re run
Small, volunteer-driven, and accountable. Here’s how the sanctuary operates day to day and year to year.
Volunteer-powered operations
Day-to-day care and operations are supported by the founder and trained volunteers, from feeding nestlings to fundraising and intake coordination.
Annual accountability
We file Form 990-N annually and make our financial and governance information available on our Impact page.
Policy
Non-discrimination policy
Stick House Sanctuary does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of:
race
color
national origin
ancestry
ethnicity
religion or creed
sex
gender identity or expression
sexual orientation
age
disability
marital status
family structure
military or veteran status
genetic information
…or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law — in any of its activities or operations, including intake of animals, volunteer participation, employment, and provision of services.
Reporting discrimination or misconduct
Anyone who experiences or witnesses discrimination, harassment, or misconduct in connection with our work can report it confidentially. Anonymous reports are accepted. Contact us at [email protected] or (915) 219-2365. We acknowledge every report within 5 business days.
Want to help the animals in our care?
Every donation funds food, formula, medical supplies, and enclosures — and every share of our work helps a neighbor know who to call. However you can help, the animals are grateful.