Wildlife Rehabilitation Careers

The Work
Wildlife rehabilitation is a profession involving the treatment and care of sick, injured and orphaned wild animals with the goal of releasing them back to their natural habitats in the wild. Wildlife rehabilitation is not an attempt to turn wild animals into pets. For rehabilitation to be deemed successful released animals must be able to survive on their own and be an integral part of their species population, i.e., recognize and obtain appropriate foods, select mates of their own species to reproduce, and respond appropriately to potential dangers (people, cars, dogs, natural predators, etc.).

You must have appropriate state and federal permits BEFORE beginning any wildlife rehabilitation. Every state has different permit requirments. Check with your state fish and wildlife ageny to learn more about your state's requirments. In addition, anyone wishing to rehabilitate migratory birds protected by federal laws must obtain a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Rehabilitation Permit.

Washington State residents should visit the WDFW Wildlife Rehabilitation Web Site and comply with all Washington state wildlife rehabilitation regulations (WAC 232-12-275).

Wildlife rehabilitation is extremely demanding, consuming large amounts of time, energy and money. Although the work can be stressful and demanding, the reward is to see an animal recover and return to a wild, free life. Best of all, it provides the opportunity for environmental education, which, in turn, helps wildlife on a much larger scale.

It is strongly recommended that you volunteer or intern at a rehabilitation facility or with an established individual rehabilitator near you to learn more about wildlife rehabilitation and see if wildlife rehabilitation is a good fit for you.

Who can do the work?
It is illegal for people to attempt to rehabilitate a wild animal without the appropriate state and federal permits. Federal law protects all birds and state laws additionally protect most other kinds of wildlife. To work with mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, wildlife rehabilitators and wildlife rehabilitation centers must be issued special permits from state wildlife agencies. Before receiving their permits they must meet various requirements, such as specialized training, participation in mentorship programs, facility inspections, and written or oral exams. Rehabilitators who wish to care for native birds must also get permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Training and Education
Although a college degree is not required to become a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, a biology-related degree provides knowledge essential for quality hands-on animal care; develops an understanding of wildlife as they relate to humans and the environment; and gives you an edge in this increasingly competitive field.

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 the species in their care, including natural history, nutritional requirements, behavioral issues, and caging considerations.

They also need to understand any dangers and diseases the animals may present to rehabilitators, and how to safely handle and restrain wildlife under care. Many of the skills involved in wildlife rehabilitation are learned through hands-on experience. Volunteering for a rehabilitation center and participating in an intern program are two ways to help develop these skills. A course of study in ecology, wildlife biology, zoology or veterinary medicine is also recommended.

Because of their training, wildlife rehabilitators can help concerned people decide whether an animal truly needs help. Young birds and mammals should be returned to their families if at all possible. Even well-trained rehabilitators are not equivalent replacements for biological parents. Rehabilitators can provide instructions for how to reunite wildlife families, keeping the safety of the animals and the rescuers in mind. They can also suggest humane, long-term solutions when conflicts arise between humans and their wild neighbors.

Once they receive their permits, responsible rehabilitators continue their education by attending conferences, seminars, and workshops, by keeping up with published literature, and by networking with others in the field.

IWRC is the leading developer of professional training for wildlife care providers in North America and abroad. As a non-profit organization their primary goal is to educate their members, colleagues, and the public on matters related to wildlife care and conservation.

IWRC training courses are developed and peer-reviewed by professionals who excel in their fields. They work with veterinarians, biologists, biochemists, nutritionists and scientists from related fields to bring you the most current and reliable information available.

For more information about wildlife rehabilitation
National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA)
International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC)
WDFW Wildlife Rehabilitation Web Site
USFWS Migratory Bird & Eagle Permits

United States Migratory Bird Permit Office
US Fish and Wildlife Services Migratory Bird Permit Office
Tami Tate-Hall
911 N E 11th Ave
Portland, OR 97232-4181
Telephone (508) 872.2715
tami_Uatehall@fws.gov

Washington Fish & Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit Coordinators

Region 1 - Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Orielle, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whitman
2315 N Discovery Place
Spokane Valley, WA 99216-1566
Telephone (509) 892-1001 x328

Region 2 - Adams, Douglas, Chelan, Grant, Okanogan
1550 Alder Street NW
Ephrata, WA 98823-9651
Telephone (509) 754-4624

Region 3 - Benton, Franklin, Kittitas, Yakima
William Moore
1701 S 24th Avenue
Yakima, WA 98902-5720
Telephone (509) 457-9303

Region 4 - Island, King, Son Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Whatcom
1601 8 Mill Creek Boulevard Mill Creek, W A 9801 2- 1 296
Telephone (425) 775-1311

Region 5 - Clark, Cowlitz, Klickitat, Lewis, Skamania, Wahkiakum
2018 Grand Boulevard Vancouver, WA 98661
Telephone (360) 906-6722

Region 6 - Clallam, Gray's Harbor, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Thurston
48B Devonshire Road Montesano, W A 98563
Telephone (360) 249-4628