Wildlife rehabilitators wear many hats. During the course of a single day wildlife rehabilitators function as animal caretakers, nutritionists, behaviorists, emergency medical technicians, naturalists, natural historians, educators, secretaries, animal housing specialists, capture and transport specialists for injured wildlife, and record keepers, providers of legal expertise and assist the public with wildlife issues. We do not get financial assistance from state or federal agencies. In fact, most wildlife centers are self supported or supported by donations only.

It is a mistake to assume that wildlife rehabilitators are all veterinarians. That is not the case. It is also true that most veterinarians, unless they are wildlife veterinarians, are not wildlife rehabilitators nor are they equipped to handle wild species. Wild animals have very different needs than domestic animals. The focus on caring for wild species is to keep them wild so they will return to the wild. Everything from handling to housing and food offered is specific to the individual species.

In the United States, wildlife rehabilitators are licensed or permitted by the state or federal government to care for native wildlife. Mammals and reptiles, unless endangered species, are handled by the states in which we work. Therefore, a state permit is required to care for native mammals, marsupials, and reptiles. To care for such animals without a permit is illegal.

If the wildlife cared for includes migratory birds, a federal permit for rehabilitation, issued by USFWS, is required as well. All wild birds except exotic and introduced species, such as the European Starling and House Sparrow are included as migratory birds.

Wildlife rehabilitators care for wild animals indigenous to the region in which they live. Most do not deal with exotic wildlife, unless the work is done by a parallel part of their facility. Permits cover caring for injured or orphaned wildlife. Special permits are given for maintaining educational animals for programs etc. These are called Special Purpose Permits.

The knowledge of the natural history of the wild patient cannot be underestimated. If there is one “most important”, part of working with wildlife it is a deep understanding of the animal, its habitat and requirements to survive successfully in the wild environment. Knowledge of natural history is an integral part of the work a wildlife rehabilitator does. Frequently rehabilitators work with a wildlife biologist, ornithologist, or other wildlife specialist to facilitate return of the animal to its own natural habitat. Many centers specialize in working with certain species, and network with others that have other specialties.

Wildlife rehabilitators are not always veterinarians; however, the two professions interact frequently and rely on one another for specialized care of wild patients. If surgery is needed for an animal, it should be done by a qualified wildlife veterinarian. However, the after care nursing, hunt training and physical therapy needed to get the animal back to the wild state is done at a rehabilitation center.

Wildlife rehabilitators have to be housing specialists for the animals in their care. Each creature has specialized needs that are not always apparent to the casual observer. Raptors, for instance, have very sensitive feet. Their specialized needs for footing and perches cannot be overlooked. To do so may well be a death sentence to the raptor. No wire should be used in conjunction with raptor housing. Birds with the eyesight of raptors tend to fly against wire, cut their delicate feet, and break off important flight feathers. A bird with broken feathers cannot fly adequately to feed and protect itself in the wild.

Wildlife rehabilitators have to be willing and able to teach young predators to hunt successfully. This is not an easy job. Nor is it for the faint of heart. Some find this difficult as predators eat other living animals. That is a fact that cannot be disputed and must be respected. It is part of the natural history of the animal in captive care.

Wildlife rehabilitators have to know and understand many habitats for release considerations of the animals they rehabilitate. Many rehabilitators count on wildlife specialists to assist with this information. In some states, the state agency must be notified before a certain wild animals are released from a rehabilitation center.

Wildlife rehabilitators need to understand physiology, nutrition, and behavior of the animals they rehabilitate, for release considerations of the animals they rehabilitate. Many of the young animals/birds that come into rehabilitation centers are orphans. Without parents to teach them, the youngsters must rely on a combination of the rehabilitator and natural instinct to fill in the blanks of life for them. Wild ones have to know what they are and how to survive when they are released to the wild. No one is going to be there to help him or her once they leave the protection of the center. Skilled centers understand that fact and do all they can to arm the animals with the information and skills they need to survive on their own.

To be a good wildlife rehabilitator requires more than loving animals. A compassion for wildlife is understood, but just a beginning to care of wildlife. In the final assessment, many aspects play a role in caring for and releasing strong healthy and well-adjusted wild animals.

Perhaps in the final assessment, it is about respecting the wild one. Respecting him for who he is and making sure, he is safe and well prepared to survive as a wild creature without further interaction from man.