what is wildlife rehabilitation? facts and...

Myth: Wildlife rehabilitation is a hobby.

Fact: Wildlife rehabilitators donot have the option to choosewhen they spend timeperforming necessary tasks tocare for the animal that hasgrown to depend upon them –providing food, water, andmedical care; cleaning cages;and other important tasks asnecessary. In fact, when arehabilitator is caring foranimals and has to travel, theyhave to arrange for anotherrehabilitator to backfill theirresponsibility.

Myth: Loving wildlife qualifiesyou to be a rehabilitator.

Fact: Compassion allows awildlife rehabilitator to provideeffective care; however, skill,specialized knowledge, facili-ties, permits, licenses, andmore are REQUIRED.

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wildlife

Myth: Anyone who finds an injuredor orphaned wild animal can take ithome and care for it, and everythingwill be wonderful.

Fact: Wildlife requires specializedcare to survive, especially those thatare injured or orphaned. Withoutsuch specialized diets, feeding,cages, and treatment, many of theseanimals suffer or die. Working withwildlife is a serious activity andrequires possession of permits andlicenses. Inappropriately releasedwildlife can result in problems forwild and human populations alike.

Myth: Wildlife rehabilitation is fun.

Fact: Wildlife rehabilitation can beinteresting, stimulating, rewarding,and sometimes pleasant; but it israrely fun. It is, however, physicallydemanding, emotionally stressful,and tough work that involves tasksranging from cleaning wounds andscrubbing cages to makingdecisions about whether or not toeuthanize an animal that is sufferingand not expected to recover.

Wildlife Rehabilitation is the process of

providing aid to injured, orphaned,

displaced, or distressed wild animals in

such a way that they may survive when

released to their native habitats. The

spectrum of activities ranges from direct

care of wildlife to arranging suitable

release sites. Wildlife rehabilitation also

involves anticipating and helping to

prevent problems with wildlife as well as

humanely resolving human-wildlife

conflicts. Wildlife rehabilitation is part

science, part education, part problem-

solving, and part care-giving.

Wildlife rehabilitation is a growing activity

with a rapidly expanding base of knowledge

and ever-increasing professional standards.

Generally, by law, free-ranging native

wildlife is a natural resource that belongs

to the public. Wildlife rehabilitation is

regulated by state or provincial and

federal wildlife agencies.

New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Councilwww.nyswrc.org

WHAT IS WILDLIFE REHABILITATION?Facts and Myths

WHAT IS WILDLIFE REHABILITATION?Facts and Myths

Myth: Experience with pets or “being good”with domestic animals qualifies people to berehabilitators.

Fact: Wildlife is very different from otheranimals. Wild animals have differenthandling requirements, diets, habitat andhousing needs, diseases and parasites.Wildlife is also stressed by humans,whereas domestic pets and livestock are not.Proper training in wildlife care is essentialfor the benefit of the wild animal and thesafety of the caregiver.

Myth: The government pays rehabilitators tocare for wildlife.

Fact: Wildlife rehabilitators are usuallyunpaid volunteers who either fund theexpenses for their wildlife rehabilitationactivities from their own pockets ordonations from the community. Govern-ment agencies rarely contribute to anyrehabilitation activities, unless it is smallamounts for endangered species.

Myth: Wildlife likes to be cuddledand loved. Fact: Most wild animals do not wantto be in captivity, especially thosethat are aware of their surroundingsWildlife is stressed by humancontact, therefore, human contact,whether visual, auditory or physicalmust be minimized. Wild animalsare NOT pets and should NOT betreated as such.

Myth: Wildlife rehabilitation is agreat activity for children.

Fact: One of the most importantaspects of wildlife is its wildness.Wildlife does not want to be incaptivity, handled or watched byhumans, who are considered pred-ators. These animals will bite,scratch, kick or do whatever isneeded to escape; they may alsotransmit diseases and parasites,many of which are particularlydangerous to children.

There are many valuable ways

to help animals without having

to become a permitted or

licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

Some people may want to

volunteer to help rehabilitators

with particular tasks, such

as transport, educational

programs, cage building,

fundraising or special projects.

Others may want more direct

contact with animals and can

volunteer to work with

domestic pets for rescue

groups or local animal

shelters. Those groups often

want people to handle, cuddle

and spend lots of time with

pets. Still others may decide

to dedicate their time to

various environmental or

political causes that help

wildlife or other animals by

protecting habitat or working

on wildlife policy issues.

For more information, pleasevisit www.nyswrc.org

New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Councilwww.nyswrc.org

rehabilitation