| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Members List:
Links Section
CEO:
Sharon Pace
Members:
FishnPets
Dr Lee Bolt DVM
Mr Ronnie Browning
Me and Mrs Richard Jones
Marvin Masters
Don Trask Family
CAROLINA RAPTOR CENTER LOCATE A WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR ASHEVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY WNC NATURE CENTER
wildlife permit requirements
|
|
Permit Requirements What is required to become a wildlife rehabilitator in North Carolina? A North Carolina Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit is required to possess native wild birds and animals for the purpose of rehabilitation and release to the wild. In addition, a permit is required from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for the rehabilitation of migratory birds (most species of birds are classified as migratory). To be considered eligible to receive a Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit, an applicant must exhibit the resources, knowledge and ability to provide adequate care for the animals. North Carolina Permit Requirements Permits are issued in the name of an individual(s) at a specific location. Only one permit will be issued per address, although multiple names may be listed on the permit. Other volunteers may assist at the licensed location under the supervision of the permittee. Preference will be given to applicants residing in single-family dwellings, rather than in multiple-family complexes. (Wildlife rehabilitation does carry some human health and safety considerations.) Permits will not be issued to persons under the age of 18; although they may provide assistance to permitted rehabilitators at the licensed location. Applicants must certify on the application their training, knowledge, and experience in the care and rehabilitation of wildlife. (Wildlife rehabilitation workshops, veterinary assistant training, or experience as a wildlife rehabilitation assistant are examples of creditable activities.) Applicants must certify on the application that they possess proper facilities for confinement of the animals, or that they have the ability to construct/acquire necessary caging. Applicants must certify on the application the types of animals with which they are experienced and for which they are capable of providing rehabilitation (songbirds, raptors, small mammals, reptiles). Applications and additional information is available from: Wildlife Rehabilitation, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, P.O. Box 29613, Raleigh, NC 27626-0613. (919) 661-4872 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Permits In addition to the North Carolina Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit, a Federal Special Purpose Rehabilitation Permit is required from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for the rehabilitation of migratory birds (most species of birds are classified as migratory). Applications and requirements for the Federal permit may be obtained from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Permits Section, P.O. Box 49208, Atlanta, GA 30359. (404) 679-7070 What records must be kept by wildlife rehabilitators? Rehabilitators must keep records on every animal possessed for rehabilitation purposes. These records should include the date of acquisition of the animal, species of animal, source of the acquisition, diagnosis of the problem, final disposition of the animal, and date of final disposition. Records must be maintained for at least three (3) years and must be made available for inspection to any Officer of the Wildlife Resources Commission and/or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, upon request. Which species of animal(s) can be possessed for rehabilitation and which are prohibited? Individuals with North Carolina permits are authorized to possess all native species of wildlife, except black bear, deer, fox, raccoon, skunk, and bats. Special authorization is required for the rehabilitation of any endangered or threatened species. No rehabilitators are allowed to hold black bear in North Carolina and only a few selected rehabilitators are allowed to hold deer fawns and then only for up to two weeks. (The Wildlife Resources Commission operates its own facility [closed to the public] for the rehabilitation of deer fawns and black bear cubs.) Fox, raccoon, skunk and bats are prohibited due to the potential for human exposure to rabies. Violation of these restrictions is justification for revocation of a rehabilitator's permit. How long can an animal be held for rehabilitation purposes? Wildlife should be held no longer than 90 days before release. This amount of time generally proves adequate for rehabilitation and release during more optimum times of the year. Any wildlife held over this 90-day period must be authorized by permit from the Wildlife Resources Commission and/or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. What if the animal is not suitable for release to the wild? Wildlife Rehabilitation Permits are not issued for the purpose of establishing "homes" for permanently injured or crippled animals that cannot survive in the wild. One of the most difficult decisions rehabilitators face is the fact that many of the animals received will not be suitable for release to the wild and must be euthanized. With very limited exceptions, animals that can only survive by amputation of an appendage, or that are so badly injured that they will never be releasable, should be immediately euthanized. Prolonging the animal's stress and suffering, and condemning them to a diminished quality of life in captivity is not an act of mercy. There are limited exceptions that justify the retention of some species of wild animals in captivity. They include the retention of endangered or threatened species that are suitable for use in viable captive-breeding programs and for bona-fide educational or research programs. Retention of non-releasable wild animals for any reason must be specifically authorized by a North Carolina (and USFWS for migratory birds) permit. Non-releasable, educational-use permits will not be issued when wildlife becomes imprinted or human-dependent while in the care of the rehabilitator. Written authorization is required prior to the transfer of any non-releasable wildlife to other persons or organizations. This prohibition does not preclude rehabilitators from taking wildlife to licensed veterinarians for treatment or surgery, nor does it preclude transferring a potentially releasable animal to a more experienced/qualified rehabilitator. For more information, contact: Wildlife Rehabilitation, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, P.O. Box 29613, Raleigh, NC 27626-0613. (919) 661-4872.
