Hayden Hunter
Wildlife Rehabilitator
Hayden Hunter joined Carolina Waterfowl Rescue in March 2024 with a clear long-term goal: to become a veterinarian. Looking for meaningful, hands-on animal care experience as he prepared for veterinary school, Hayden found CWR—and quickly discovered an opportunity to combine his interest in medicine with a growing passion for wildlife rehabilitation and conservation.
Hayden initially spent a brief period as a Shift Lead before transferring into CWR's rehabilitation department, where his interest in the medical side of animal care could take center stage.
Today, Hayden works directly with injured and critically ill patients, performing triage, wound care, medication administration, diagnostic radiographs, tube feeding, and other treatments. He also assists with surgical procedures and helps train CWR's rehabilitation interns.
His patients span a wide range of species, including birds, reptiles, and small mammals. Of those, Hayden has developed a particular connection with small mammals.
His commitment to wildlife rehabilitation also extends beyond his scheduled hours at CWR. Hayden holds his own wildlife rehabilitation license and takes home wild rabbits and other mammals when they require continued care. He has also volunteered to transport patients to other wildlife rehabilitation organizations when an animal's needs require transfer.
For Hayden, providing high-quality medical care to CWR's most critical patients is one of the most meaningful parts of his work. Wildlife rehabilitation often involves patients arriving with significant injuries or illnesses, and the ability to provide appropriate medical intervention can determine whether an animal has an opportunity to recover.
That intersection between animal welfare and medicine is particularly important to Hayden.
He earned an Associate of Science in Biological Sciences in fall 2024 and is currently completing a Bachelor of Science in Biology, with graduation anticipated in December 2026. His studies include biology and animal physiology, providing an academic foundation that complements the practical experience he receives through wildlife rehabilitation.
Hayden is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and the National Society of Leadership and Success.
His next goal is veterinary medicine. Hayden has applied to veterinary school for the 2027 admissions cycle and hopes to continue building on the clinical and animal-care experience he has gained at CWR as he pursues a career as a veterinarian.
Before joining CWR, Hayden volunteered with the Humane Society of Charlotte. He came to Carolina Waterfowl Rescue specifically seeking additional animal-care experience in preparation for veterinary school, but his work at CWR also deepened his interest in conservation and wildlife rehabilitation.
One of the realities that continues to motivate him is the tremendous number of animals requiring medical care compared with the limited resources available to help them. Wildlife and many of the species CWR serves often do not have the same medical resources available to companion animals. For Hayden, being able to provide care to animals that might otherwise have few options gives his work particular meaning.
His experience at CWR has also given him the opportunity to work with an unusually broad range of patients. Treating birds, reptiles, and mammals requires adapting to different anatomy, behavior, nutritional needs, handling techniques, and treatment requirements—experience that continues to broaden his understanding of animal medicine.
Away from the rescue and his studies, Hayden's interests still frequently take him outdoors. He enjoys hiking, kayaking, and camping, as well as reading.
He is also a competitive chess player and participates in chess tournaments. And for anyone looking for an unusual trivia partner, Hayden has another skill: he can identify the flag of every country.
At home, Hayden shares his life with Choppa, his seven-year-old tabby cat.
What began as an opportunity to gain experience before veterinary school has developed into something larger for Hayden. His time at CWR has allowed him to combine his interests in animals and medicine with hands-on wildlife rehabilitation while seeing firsthand how significant the need for these services can be.
As he completes his bachelor's degree and pursues admission to veterinary school, Hayden continues to build his experience by caring for CWR's patients, training future rehabilitators, providing continued care for wildlife through his own rehabilitation license, and helping give critically ill and injured animals the medical care they need for another chance.