Wildlife Rehabilitation

In New York, a wildlife rehabilitator is a dedicated volunteer who holds a state (and potentially also a federal) permit to aid sick, injured, orphaned, or displaced wildlife "with the goal of releasing a physically and psychologically healthy animal back into the wild" (New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Study Guide 2013). Wildlife rehabilitators can be generalists, responsible for a variety of animal species, each with unique care requirements, or they can also be specialists (e.g., handling only rabies-vector species, like bats). Rehabbers are not paid or state-funded, so they cannot always accept every animal in need. For more information in NYS, visit NYSDEC Wildlife Rehabilitators.

Quick Links

NYSDEC Special Licenses: Find a Wildlife Rehabilitator Near You

Animal Help Now: Find assistance for a wildlife emergency or conflict

NYSWRC page: Find a Wildlife Professional

Thumbnail of the NYS WHP Rehabber Database site

Annual Reporting

The NYS Wildlife Health Program rehabber database is available to all NYS wildlife rehabilitators to assist in record keeping and to facilitate annual reporting: Wildlife Reporting System

Interested in Becoming a Wildlife Rehabilitator?

You can find more information on obtaining a license/permit at the following:

Federal:

A migratory bird rehabilitation permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is needed to rehabilitate birds protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (songbirds, raptors, etc.).
A federal marine mammal permit from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is needed to rehabilitate marine mammals protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

NY State: For information on becoming a wildlife rehabilitator in New York State, go to Wildlife Rehabilitator License.

Online Resources to Download

Permits Relating to Wildlife Rehabilitation Practices in the United States (permits required for rehab activities in the US). Learn about the permits and application processes required for rehabilitation practices.
Wildlife Care Basics for Veterinary Hospitals Before the Rehabilitator Arrives. A practical guide for veterinary clinics to care for wildlife while awaiting transfer to a rehabilitator.
USFWS Evaluating Humane and Healthful Conditions at Rehabilitation Facilities. This document outlines what the USFWS uses to evaluate humane and healthful conditions for migratory birds under rehabilitation permits.
National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association handouts:

Helpful Links

Program Guidance

DEC Wildlife Rehabilitators page
Wildlife Rehabilitator Organizations:
- National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association-Offers professional membership, courses, publications, NWRA journal, career center, annual symposium, research grants, and scholarships
  - For aspiring rehabilitators
- International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC) -Offers professional membership, courses, publications, Journal of Wildlife Rehabilitation, job board, and Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator certification
  - Wildlife Legislation in Different Countries (including the USA)
  - IWRC Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator™ (CWR™) program -Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator certification
- New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (NYSWRC) -Offers professional membership, publications, NYSWRC Release newsletter, annual conference, scholarships, and grants

Courses and other resources

IWRC Course Library
Wildlife EDU
New England Wildlife Centers
LafeberVet
Animal Behavior Institute
NWRA Online Resources - National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association online store
The Raptor Center Raptor Academy
Wildlife Care Academy
Certified Wildlife Rehabilitators
WildAgain Wildlife Rehabilitation
Wildlife Rehabilitation MD (WRMD) - A free online medical database designed specifically for wildlife rehabilitators to collect, manage, and analyze data for our patients.

Wildlife Rehabilitation Knowledge Exchange (WRKE)

Free messaging board through VIN for wildlife professionals (rehabilitators, veterinarians, and more) to connect and communicate
Fosters knowledge exchange and information sharing
Coordinated and moderated through 5 major wildlife organizations (WRCMN, PAWS, IWRC, NWRA, and Partners 4 Wildlife)

Key Textbooks: