Back to the Wild Rescue & Rehab

“Wildlife…Our most treasured and natural resource confronts greater challenges than ever before. And we, too, are challenged to ensure the well-being of all creatures which share our world.”

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Wildlife rehabilitators work with veterinarians to assess injuries and diagnose a variety of illnesses. Rehabilitators must be able to administer basic first aid and physical therapy. And, 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 the animals may present to rehabilitators.

Federal law protects almost all birds; state laws protect most other kinds of wildlife. To work with mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, wildlife rehabilitators must be issued special permits from their 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 birds must also get permits from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Once they receive their permits, conscientious rehabilitators continue their education by attending conferences, seminars, and workshops, by keeping up with published literature, and by networking with others in the field.

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; 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, and they can suggest humane, long-term solutions when conflicts arise between humans and their wild neighbors.


Source: National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association


Back to the Wild Rescue and Rehab Stats

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

Raccoons
62
108
58
105
76
88
176
Skunks
3
9
8
7
4
Fox
2
4
11
11
6
Squirrels
12
14
23
8
11
3
0
Opossums
33
18
29
44
2
1
7
Other mammals
15
27
33
36
26
23
12
Song Birds
44
38
4
3
6
3
0
Raptors  (owls, hawks, eagles, osprey, etc.)
13
20
28
13
22
24
26
Shore Birds/Water Fowl
4
11
9
13
4
21
9
Reptiles
2
5
1
2
0
1
0
TOTAL
185
241
190
258
166
182
240

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Back to The Wild Rescue & Rehab
Mary Martin and Matthew Wilkes
Licensed Master, Rabies Vector Species, Migratory Bird & Wildlife Rehabilitators
240-725-0785

mmartin@backtothewildrescueandrehab.org