RehabFAQs

how to get into animal rehab

by Mr. Kayden Smith Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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  1. Get a college degree in biology or ecology. Even though for some positions a college degree is not required, it is for most.
  2. Approach the head of your facility for an apprenticeship or internship. ...
  3. Check with your state’s Game and Wildlife Department. They will have a list of the requirements for becoming a wildlife rehabilitator.
  4. Get your license. Most states require wildlife rehabilitators to have a license issued by the Game and Wildlife Department.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have passed a state examination on wildlife rehabilitation, complete an application, provide evidence of a licensed wildlife rehabilitator willing to mentor them, provide evidence of a veterinarian willing to assist them and maintain approved facilities.

Full Answer

How do I become an animal rehabilitation therapist?

You will need to be a quick thinker, be detail orientated and have a passion for animals to have a successful career. Most wildlife rehabilitators learn their skills from gaining experience on the job, so gaining experience through internships and volunteering at wildlife rehabilitation centers can help improve your employability.

How to become a wildlife rehabilitator?

What do animals need to be released from rehabilitation?

What makes for successful animal rehabilitation?

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What Does a Wildlife Rehabilitator Do?

A wildlife rehabilitator works with a veterinarian to identify illnesses, examine and determine any injuries, manage wounds, provide necessary vaccinations, clean animals, prepare food, clear cages, re-accustom animal to the wild, provide public education about protecting wildlife and may help in resolving human and animal conflicts.

How Do You Become a Wildlife Rehabilitator and What Skills Are Required?

In order to become a wildlife rehabilitator you will need to have obtained a high school diploma or GED at a minimum.

What Are the Certification and Licensure Requirements for a Wildlife Rehabilitator?

In order to to become a wildlife rehabilitator you will need to acquire the relevant legal permits.

How Much Does a Wildlife Rehabilitator Earn?

Based on national salary data compiled by the BLS, animal care and service workers, which also include wildlife rehabilitators, earned a median salary of $23,950 annually in 2018. More specifically non-farm animal care and service workers earned a median salary of $23,760 a year in 2018.

What Is the Career Outlook and Carer Advancement Opportunities for a Wildlife Rehabilitator?

The BLS anticipates that animal care and service workers, which include wildlife rehabilitators, will realize a 16% increase in job opening between 2018 and 2028. This is far greater than the national average for all occupations, which sits at 7%.

What do wildlife rehabilitators do?

Wildlife rehabilitators examine and provide care to various wild animals that are sick, injured or orphaned with the hopes of returning them back into the wild. In many cases, they work with veterinarians to ensure that these animals can survive back in their natural habitat. Wildlife rehabilitators can spend time caring for a wide variety of animals such as mammals, birds and reptiles. Additional duties include: 1 Evaluating animals and identifying injuries 2 Working with veterinarians to determine a treatment plan 3 Administering medication and overseeing progress 4 Reintroducing animals slowly back into their habitats 5 Placing animals unable to return to the wild in educational facilities or refuges 6 Monitoring animals once released

What degree do you need to be a wildlife rehabilitator?

Though a degree is not required for wildlife rehabilitators, a bachelor's degree in biology ...

How much do wildlife rehabilitators make?

While there isn't exact Indeed salary data for wildlife rehabilitators, the similar positions of wildlife specialists and wildlife biologists have average salaries of $42,807 and $63,877 per year , respectively, for full-time work. Salary will vary depending on years of experience, ...

Do you have to get rabies shots to work in rehab?

It's best to make sure you're safe from any diseases that these animals might be carrying. One of the vaccines you'll be required to get is a rabies vaccine.

How to care for sick or injured animals?

To properly care for sick, injured or orphaned wildlife, you must be able to provide the animals with a clean living space and clean them as needed. This can be important for animals rescued from oil spills or mudslides.

What do wildlife rehabilitators do?

Most wildlife rehabilitators work closely with a veterinarian to care for wild animals in their care. As a wildlife rehabilitator, each day is likely to be different as you care for a variety of hurt and sick animals.

What is a wikihow article?

Download Article. X. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 19 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback.

How old do you have to be to work with animals?

As you get more experience, you might be able to do more hands-on work with the animals. You will need to meet these basic criteria before beginning: Be 18 or older.

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What Is Wildlife Rehabilitation?

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Rehabilitation is a major part of PAWS’ work with wildlife. We have established our expertise at PAWS Wildlife Centerby working with more than 140,000 wild animals of 260 different species over the past 30 years. The work can be stressful and demanding. But seeing an animal recover and return to a wild and free life makes …
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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 …
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For More Information

  • Call PAWS Wildlife Center at 425.412.4040and we will be happy to explain to you the process, give our guidance and best recommendations on what steps you need to consider in order to become a licensed rehabilitator.
See more on paws.org

Other Resources

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