Animal lovers and pickleball enthusiasts will have a chance to rally for a cause this fall when Return2Wild hosts its inaugural Pickle for Paws Charity Pickleball Tournament on Sunday, Sept. 13, at Eleveno at Patriot Place in Foxboro.

The fundraiser will support Return2Wild, the Norfolk-based nonprofit founded by licensed wildlife rehabilitator and former critical care nurse Susan Siegel. The organization provides care for injured, sick, and orphaned wildlife before returning healthy animals to their natural habitats, while also educating the public about wildlife conservation and coexistence.

While the event is a fundraiser, organizers emphasize that it is designed to be a fun, social tournament rather than a highly competitive sanctioned event. Teams will play five to six games, and registration is limited to 40 teams, with advance registration required. The $75 per-player entry fee includes tournament play, while non-players can purchase a $15 activity pass to enjoy family-friendly games, interactive activities, a meet-and-greet with wildlife ambassadors, and a silent auction. Organizers will also hold a "Pickleball Drop," where participants can purchase a numbered pickleball for $10 for a chance to win a $1,000 prize. The pickleballs will be dropped onto a court, with the ball landing closest to the target taking home the cash prize.

Return2Wild currently relies on donations and volunteers to carry out its mission of giving injured and orphaned wild animals a second chance. Wildlife rehabilitation is largely volunteer-driven, with rehabilitators often covering many expenses out of their own pockets.

The fundraiser comes at a time when the need for wildlife rehabilitation is growing rapidly. According to Siegel, Return2Wild has already seen a 71 percent increase in animal admissions this year and, in just the first six months of 2026, has cared for more animals than it did during all of last year combined. The organization has treated hundreds of animals ranging from baby minks and weasels to porcupines, ducklings, groundhogs, skunks, opossums, rabbits, squirrels and other native wildlife, while also providing triage for injured birds of prey. Proceeds from the tournament will help cover the rising costs of food, formula, medical treatment, housing, and other supplies needed to care for the growing number of patients.

Registration for the Pickle for Paws Charity Pickleball Tournament is now open, with additional information available at return2wild.org.