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Gaining Experience in Wildlife Rehabilitation Technique


Wildlife Rehabilitation uses a complex combination of techniques from many different disciplines. Knowledge of what works best for wildlife and the rehabilitation of wild animals is gained through experience, and by networking with other wildlife rehabilitators. Here are some ideas to help you plan a strategy for learning these techniques.

  • Volunteer at an established facility or with an individual rehabilitator. When you become a member of the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association, you receive the Membership Directory listing NWRA members from around the world. Many of the facilities listed seek volunteers or interns to work at their centers. This would be an excellent learning experience before beginning on your own. You could also find a licensed rehabilitator in your area by contacting the agency in your state that deals with wildlife management and asking them for wildlife rehabilitation permit holders near you.


  • Read and ask questions. There are many good books available about wildlife rehabilitation. Read with caution books published more than ten years ago, since new techniques are always being developed. For example, older books may have poor diet and handling information. The National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association strives to provide the most correct and up-to-date information available in association publications. Please contact the Central Office for additional information about our publications or visit the Marketplace.


  • Attend training sessions, conferences, and symposiums. The National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association sponsors an annual world-class Symposium, usually in March. Many state organizations hold conferences or workshops. If you volunteer with an established rehabilitator or center, ask about training opportunities and programs.
Do I Need a Permit?
Permits to possess wild animals for rehabilitation are most often required from the agency in your state that deals with wild animal management. If you are rehabilitating birds, you will need a permit from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Most wild animals are protected by some sort of governmental regulations. Most birds, all mammals with a hunting or trapping season, endangered and threatened species, and even some reptiles, amphibians, fish and insects are protected by some type of law prohibiting possession without a permit.

It is illegal to have any protected animal in your possession unless you have the proper permits. Since each state has its own requirements, you must speak with the agency personnel and learn what your state requires. Click here for a list of state agency contact information.

When applying for permits and subsequently filing your annual reports, give honest and complete information. Permits are a privilege, like a driver’s license. DO NOT ABUSE THIS PRIVILEGE. For a misdemeanor violation, consequences can include loss of permit(s), citation, and/or jail. Violators give wildlife rehabilitation a bad reputation and harm the future of wildlife rehabilitation.

Experience, training, and proper facilities are all requirements for receiving a permit in most instances, so you will have to do some reading, learning and observing on your own and/or find a permitted rehabilitator to teach you. Some states require apprenticeships and passing a written examination before a permit will be issued. Some states require an inspection of your wildlife facility and proof of a cooperating veterinarian before a permit will be issued.

Personal Considerations
As you begin treating distressed wild animals and interacting with the people that find them, remember YOU AND YOUR FAMILY COME FIRST. Be prepared to spend less time with your family or friends, experience animal suffering and death, and the danger associated with handling wild animals. Although your family may be involved or supportive, this stress can be overwhelming at times.

Contact your insurance agent. If you have people bringing wild animals to you, be sure you have adequate liability insurance. Your homeowner’s policy may not cover rehabilitation activities. If you have others assisting you, regardless of their relationship to you, be sure you are covered and they are covered. Check your health and hospitalization policy, too.

Commitment - Time and Money
Rehabilitation can be expensive. Purchasing books, joining organizations and attending training sessions will cost money. When you get into actual animal care, it will be more expensive. Most rehabilitators pay for food, cages, medicines, transportation, and other things out of their own pockets unless they can solicit donations. It also takes a lot of time to rehabilitate correctly! For example, baby birds must be fed every 15-30 minutes during daylight hours, 14 hours a day!

Most individuals that remain wildlife rehabilitators over time form a non-profit corporation. A non-profit structure makes it easier to collect donations. If you decide to seek funding beyond personal and small individual donations, contact an attorney or some other expert in non-profit law. Non-profit status involves complicated paperwork and accounting. Help from a lawyer and accountant well-versed in non-profit organizations is essential. You may need to incorporate within your state, have a board of directors and bylaws, and seek non-profit tax exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service. There may be annual reports to file with your state's Secretary of State and Attorney General, as well as with the Internal Revenue Service.

Perspective
Wildlife Rehabilitation is complex, but you should not be afraid of becoming involved. Volunteering is the best first step into wildlife rehabilitation. Read Principles of Wildlife Rehabilitation and become familiar with the Minimum Standards for Wildlife Rehabilitation. These National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association publications contain good, basic information. Contact the NWRA Central Office for information about ordering our publications or visit the Marketplace.

To keep from becoming overwhelmed, be selective about your rehabilitation activities as you start out in your wildlife rehabilitation career. Select one species of animal to become expert on care and rehabilitation in the beginning. Once you become confident, and you're ready to expand, select another species.

Join the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association to network with other rehabilitators and obtain information and support. You will then have access to the best printed materials and referrals in the field of wildlife rehabilitation.

Talk to permitted rehabilitators. Find out what is really involved, consider your time and other resources available, and think it over before you make this important commitment. Good luck in your decision. If the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association can be of any further assistance to you, please contact us.