How do you get a permit for a wildlife rehabilitator?
Apply to become a licensed wildlife rehabilitator Wildlife rehabilitators are licensed by MassWildlife to provide care for sick or injured wildlife. If you are interested in becoming licensed, we first encourage you to volunteer with a rehabilitator to learn more about the commitment. The Details What you need Fees How to apply More info Downloads
How did you get into wildlife rehabilitation?
To obtain a wildlife rehabilitation license, applicants must submit an application, a description of their facilities, a description of previous relevant experience the applicant has had, and proof of at least two years working with a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or a letter from a licensed veterinarian attesting to the qualifications of the candidate.
How to find a licensed wildlife rehabilitator?
Availability Questionnaire for Wildlife Rehabilitator Permit. Request by E-mail: (include US Mailing Address) [email protected]. Request by Phone: (410) 260-8540 Toll-free in Maryland: 1-877-620-8DNR [8367], Extension 8540 TTY: Maryland Relay via 1-800-735-2258 or 711. Request by Mail: Wildlife Permit Coordinator MD DNR- Wildlife and Heritage Service 580 …
How to become a wildlife rehabilitator?
If you plan to apply for a permit that includes the authority to handle migratory birds (rehabilitation, educational display of birds, or scientific collecting of migratory bird species), you will also be required to apply for a federal permit. Applications and further information can be found at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Permits.
License Details
This license authorizes a New York resident to rehabilitate or care for injured or young orphaned wildlife for their return back to the wild.
How to Apply
Pass the wildlife rehabilitator examination with a score of 80% or higher. See Registering for the Wildlife Rehabilitator Examination below.
Renewing & Reporting
Class I & II Licenses expire on December 31 every 5th year after the license was issued. A renewal form will be sent by mail prior to the license expiration date noted on the license. If a license renewal form is not received at least 2-weeks prior to the expiration date, please contact us.
Other Resources & Information
New York State Wildlife Rehabilitator Contact List - Statewide contact list of rehabilitators with information on the type of wildlife they can care for.
Wildlife Rehabilitation SARS-CoV-2 Restrictions
Colorado Parks and Wildlife issued the following wildlife rehabilitation restrictions to help reduce the potential spread of SARS-CoV-2 between people and wildlife, including the native Colorado bat species allowances for bat rehabilitation.
General Overview of Wildlife Rehabilitation
For an alphabetical list of the documents listed below, see the index page.
Obtaining a Wildlife Rehabilitation License
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) recommends that individuals considering becoming a wildlife rehabilitator begin by reading both the 2-page brochure entitled Learn About Wildlife Rehab Brochure and the more in-depth 10-page booklet entitled Wildlife Rehabilitation: Is It For You?.
Requirements for Unlicensed Individuals Assisting Wildlife Rehabilitators with Direct Animal Care
Chapter 14 allows unlicensed people (volunteers, interns, seasonal staff, etc.) to help wildlife rehabilitators with direct animal care at CPW approved rehabilitation facilities and under specific conditions ( Chapter 14 ).
Other Resources for Wildlife Rehabilitators
Annual Reporting - Wildlife rehabilitators are required to submit a record of their annual rehabilitation activities each year. Several forms are required, including a complete list of all animals and their disposition, a summary of the rehabilitation and transfers.
What is the role of wildlife rehabilitation?
A wildlife rehabilitator should strive to achieve high standards of animal care through knowledge, and an understanding of the field. Continuing efforts must be made to keep informed of current rehabilitation information, methods, and regulations.
What information is needed for a wildlife permit?
All permittees shall keep individual records for each wildlife patient in their care, and each individual record should include, at minimum: species, date of admission, location of collection, contact information for rescuers and/or others who handled the animal prior to receipt by the rehabilitator, reason for admission, final disposition (i.e., died, euthanized, released, transferred), method of euthanasia (if applicable), date of disposition, and location of release (if applicable). Location of collection is especially important for amphibians and reptiles as they must be released at the site of collection. All medications administered, procedures, and/or treatments should be recorded. A reporting form (see page 37) shall be submitted to the VDWR for all wildlife entering the facility for rehabilitation by February 1 of each year, or upon request. Permittees who only rehabilitate migratory birds may submit a copy of their U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Rehabilitation Annual Report (Form 3-202-4) in place of the required VDWR annual report form. Failure to submit this report may result in revocation, suspension, or non- renewal of an individual's permit.
What is the goal of a permittee?
The goal of the permittee is to return to the wild, once necessary rehabilitation and treatment is complete, any previously sick, injured, or orphaned native wildlife that are deemed able to function normally in their natural habitat. This does not include naturalized wildlife.
How many hours of continuing education do you need for a wildlife permit?
All permittees must obtain at least six (6) hours of approved continuing education related to wildlife rehabilitation (treatment and care of sick, injured, orphaned, or debilitated wildlife) annually. All permittees must attend at least six (6) hours of VDWR approved continuing education prior to submitting their rehabilitation application (a log documenting time spent training with a Category II or III rehabilitator is acceptable). Evidence of attendance at a continuing education seminar or program (certificate of completion, etc.) shall be submitted to the VDWR along with the appropriate reporting form by February 1 of each year. An approved continuing education course or program shall be sponsored by one of the following:
What is wildlife inspection in Virginia?
INSPECTION - Wildlife held in captivity shall be subject to inspection by any Virginia Conservation Police Officer or duly authorized VDWR personnel. Inspecting officers shall determine whether said wildlife are adequately fed, sheltered, cleaned, cared for, provided with sufficient space, veterinary care, and securely, properly, and safely penned. In the event that the animal is not adequately cared for, the officer shall report the situation in writing to the person holding such wildlife. Failure of the permittee to correct the situation within twenty four (24) hours after such written notice will result in automatic suspension of all permits to hold such wildlife.
Does a permit absolve the permittee of any responsibilities or conditions of any other federal, state
This permit does not absolve the permittee of any responsibilities or conditions of any other Federal, state, or local laws and regulations, including those that apply to threatened or endangered species.
What is adequate food?
Adequate food to include access to, and provision of, food which is of sufficient quantity and nutritional value to maintain each animal in good health; is accessible to each animal; is prepared so as to permit ease of consumption for the age, species, condition, size, and type of each animal, is provided in a clean and sanitary manner, is placed so as to minimize contamination by excrement and pests; and is provided at suitable intervals for the species held, but at least once daily, except as prescribed by a veterinarian or as dictated by naturally occurring states of hibernation or fasting normal for the species.
What Is Wildlife Rehabilitation?
Licenses and Permits
- It is illegal to attempt to rehabilitate a wild animal without the appropriate legal permits. Federal law protects most wild birds and state laws additionally protect most other wildlife. To work with mammals, reptiles and amphibians, wildlife rehabilitators and wildlife rehabilitation centers in Washington State must be issued special permits from the Washington Department of Fish and …
Training and Education
- Wildlife rehabilitators work under a veterinarian’s guidance to assess injuries and identify a variety of illnesses, and must be able to administer basic first aid and physical therapy. Because wild animals are so different from domestic animals, rehabilitators need extensive knowledge about a variety of species in their care, including natural history, nutritional requirements, behavioral issu…
Other Resources
License Details
How to Apply
- Applying for a Wildlife Rehabilitator License
1. Pass the wildlife rehabilitator examination with a score of 80% or higher. See Registering for the Wildlife Rehabilitator Examination below. 2. Complete and submit the Wildlife Rehabilitator License Application (an application form and instructions are provided after passing the exam). - Registering for the Wildlife Rehabilitator Examination
1. Register on-line. Registration Deadline is March 25. You will receive a registration confirmation once complete along with additional information on taking the exam. 1. Exam Dates:Friday April 1, 2022 2. Exam time:Any time between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. 3. Time allotted to complete the exam:2 …
Renewing & Reporting
- License Renewal
1. Class I & II Licenses expire on December 31 every 5th year after the license was issued. A renewal form will be sent by mail prior to the license expiration date noted on the license. If a license renewal form is not received at least 2-weeks prior to the expiration date, please contact … - Annual Reporting
All Class I & II rehabilitators must complete and submit log and tally forms by December 1 each year. Log and tally forms must be completed regardless if wildlife were treated or not for the year. 1. General Wildlife Rehabilitator Class I & II 1.1. Log Form (PDF) 1.2. Tally Form (PDF) 1.3. Instru…
Laws & Regulations
- New York Codes Rules and Regulations
1. Part 175 Special Licenses and Permits - Definitions and Uniform Procedures(leaves DEC website) 2. Part 184 Wildlife Rehabilitators(leaves DEC website) 3. Part 189.7(f) Chronic Wasting Disease(leaves DEC website) - Environmental Conservation Law
Please visit New York State Legislature(leaves DEC website) 1. 11-0515(3) License to Possess Distressed Wildlife for Rehabilitation Purposes
Other Resources & Information
- New York State Wildlife Rehabilitator Contact List- Statewide contact list of rehabilitators with information on the type of wildlife they can care for.
- Care of Young Wildlife- Information on what to do if you come across young wildlife that appear abandoned or orphaned.
- New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Council(leaves DEC website)
- New York State Wildlife Rehabilitator Contact List- Statewide contact list of rehabilitators with information on the type of wildlife they can care for.
- Care of Young Wildlife- Information on what to do if you come across young wildlife that appear abandoned or orphaned.
- New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Council(leaves DEC website)
- National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association(leaves DEC website)
