Adopt a Mule Deer Program
Mule deer have been declining in the western U.S. for the last two decades. WSU is partnering with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, Bonneville Power Administration, Colville Federated Tribes, and the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council to find out why.
We are conducting extensive field studies on mule deer in Washington and have begun a captive mule deer herd to examine their nutrition and reproduction. Animals were hand-raised by faculty and students and reside in a new, 8 acre facility on WSU campus (Wild Ungulate Facility, WUF). Research and care of captive deer is supervised by Dr. Lisa Shipley, Associate Professor of Wildlife Ecology.
Help care for these amazing animals and support this research by adopting a mule deer!
Adoption Package Selections
We offer adoption packages at several levels of support
I. Adopt-a-Deer for a Year: $200
This package provides food and keeper care for one animal of your choice for a year. Perfect for individuals, families, school groups, businesses and civic organizations. You receive:
- Personalized deer adoption certificate, with specific information about your deer
- Chance to name its fawn(s) if female and receive its antlers if male.
- Personal tour by a wildlife biologist of the Wild Ungulate Facility and a chance to pet and interact with your and other deer
- Thank you letter from WSU for your tax-deductible donation
- Your name on our website under that deer's photo and other Adopt-a-deer materials
II. Deerleaders: $1000+
This package pays for veterinary care of the herd, facility improvements, and /or research. You receive:
- Personal tours by a wildlife biologist of the Wild Ungulate Facility and a chance to pet and interact with your and other deer
- Thank you letter from WSU for your tax-deductible donation
- Membership in WSU's President's Associates, which entitles donor to a free parking permit, and access to President's Associates events
- Your name on our website and other Adopt-a-Deer materials
- Access to our deer webcam on your own computer to watch deer live
- Mule deer T-shirt
Current Deerleaders:
- Lisa and Mark Shipley - Moscow, ID
- Michell and Gary Radamaker - Clarkston, WA
III. Deer Supporter: $100 - $200
Any amount donated will go directly to care of our mule deer herd. You receive:
- Thank you letter from WSU for your tax-deductible donation
- Your name on our website and other Adopt-a-Deer materials
Current Deer Supporters:
- Richard and Diana Ransom - Pasco, WA
Please Adopt Me!
To view a list of deer available for adoption, click on one of the links below:
How to Adopt
To adopt a deer, please send a check made out and sent to:
Department of
Natural Resource Sciences, WSU
Memo: Animal Care Fund
Pullman, WA 99164-6410
Please include your name, address, email or phone number and specify which deer you wish to adopt.
You can also pay by credit card by calling WSU University Foundation at 1-800-448-2978 and specify Natural Resource Sciences Animal Care Fund and the name of the animal you wish to adopt.
A follow-up email to Lisa Shipley at shipley@mail.wsu.edu will allow us to send out your materials sooner. You may also contact us via phone at
(509) 335-9182 to obtain further information.
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