Who We Are

opossum nathou with raccoonpileated in flight red fox

box turtle


Our Mission

Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to:

  • Provide care for injured and orphaned wildlife while they are being prepared for release back into the wild
  • Inform our fellow citizens about what to do when they find an injured or orphaned wild animal, and who to contact for help with the animal; and,
  • Educate the citizens of Central Virginia about the habitats and needs of native wildlife

Our History

Since its inception in 2004, Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary has:

  • treated more than 2,200 wild animals, representing 60 species of native birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians
  • educated local audiences throughout Central Virginia about the habitats and needs of our native wildlife.
  • provided information on what to do when an injured or orphaned animal is found and who to contact for help
  • increased the number of animals served every year
    • 2003: 68
    • 2004: 103
    • 2005: 113
    • 2006: 324
    • 2007: 457
    • 2008: 565
    • 2009: 625

Our Founder

Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary came into being as the result of Nathou Attinger’s lifelong dedication to the well-being of animals.

"15 years ago, a woman let me take over the care of a crow she had raised from a baby. For years, I’d been caring for various birds, squirrels, turtles, and any other creature I came across, but never a crow. The crow was less than a year old and because of an injury, she could not fly. Her name was Merlin. Merlin lived with me for three years, and then died suddenly of a spider bite.
In those three years, she taught me the most important lesson of rehabilitating wildlife – do whatever you can to maximize the comfort and level of care of the animal you are trying to help. I have never forgotten that lesson, and have faithfully followed it with the many animals I have cared for since.”
In the Spring of 2004, Nathou recruited a Board of Directors and filed Articles of Incorporation to create a non-profit organization, enabling her to raise funds to continue her work and meet the increasing demands for her skills.

Our Future

Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary was founded in 2004 in the founder’s family home. At any given time, the family shares space and duties with three college interns, animal care volunteers and sanctuary staff.  

In 2008, the Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary Board decided to expand its facilities by moving the care of the newly orphaned and injured wildlife to a more suitable and sustainable site. The Miller School, a local private school with beautiful grounds, offered to provide acreage and an abandoned barn for just this purpose. Care for the older animals awaiting release will remain in Nelson county.

The expansion of our space to Miller School allows Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary to save significantly more wild animals, improve our facilities, and eventually expand our educational outreach.

Likewise, Miller School students will benefit from an experiential learning site that will provide educational opportunities to students in the areas of math, biology, chemistry, ecology and the environment.

The Miller School and Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary have initiated this collaboration with a five year lease with an option to renew for at least another five years. Find out how to help Rockfish grow.....

Board of Directors and Staff

Wildlife Rehabilitator
Nathou Attinger, Director

Wildlife Staff
Jessie Cole
Sam Masone
Jason Brown

Sanctuary Board Members
Nathou Attinger
Becky Allen
Beverley Butler
Kaki Dimock
Erla Hagan
Mary Huey
Hilary Kerner
Dede Smith
Patty Wallens

Interns
Lisa Kleinschmidt - James Madison University
Sarah Petri - University of Vermont
Ryan Shaw - University of Virginia  
Laura York - St. Mary's College


Animals of Rockfish Sanctuary

Wild creatures do the darndest things. Read more about the amazing
Animals of Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary


Newsletters

Everything you always wanted to know about Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary can be found in our newsletters.