How to: Be a Wildlife Rehabilitator

This will be my first in a series of How To posts. I get a lot of questions from friends, family & total strangers about my experience with wildlife and how they can get involved. A lot of people might think working with wildlife is really cool but don't know where/how to start or even that it is possible for someone without a degree. I hope these How To Guides will give you a good starting point. Please message me with any questions or How To's you'd like to see in the future :)

As soon as word got out that I was working with wildlife, I received requests for pictures of baby (fill in the blank) from just about everyone I knew. I happily obliged as my enthusiasm was at an all time high and I wanted to share it with everyone I knew. The hours were long and the work was back breaking and often messy/smelly but, for once, I felt like I was spending my time doing something worth while and beneficial to the world and I was ready to spread my addiction.

Since my initial involvement being an Animal Care Volunteer at the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley, I've been asked by quite a few people about how they too could get directly involved with wildlife. So here's a little guide on getting started and some things to keep in mind if you consider becoming a rehabilitator yourself.

Photo Credit: wildlife-rehabilitation.com

Photo credit: sharon.audubon.org

WHAT TO DO:

1. Realize this is not glamorous work - Fully expect to get every type of food and form of excrement on your skin, in your face, or in your hair at some point. Wild animals do not get groomed professionally and if they are sick it means they are probably covered in some sort of parasite...that could get on to you! In the beginning, you WILL be doing tremendous amounts of cleaning: mopping, laundry, dishes...all the chores you hate? get ready to keep doing them.
2. Research local wildlife hospitals/rehabilitators and contact them about volunteer opportunities - Busy season starts around April and most rehabbers need as much help as possible. Some facilities only handle particular species so if you have a preference, read up/contact them.
3. Attend a Basic Care class - usually provided for free by the wildlife hospital, but I have seen trainings that cost anywhere from $15-50. Additional trainings are often offered as your skill level improves.
4. Volunteer the minimum hours asked for by the organization - from my experience, you will be asked to dedicate at least 4 hours a week (same day of the week, same time slot) for the duration of the busy season. If you have vacations planned, let them know ahead of time: daily tasks are assigned and it is imperative the coordinators know who to schedule so all animals are attended to.
5. Be proactive - many rehabbers and staff are more than willing to teach you as much as you want to learn but you need to ASK! When they see you're competent and excited, you will soon be begging them to give you a break.
6. Consider formal/outside education - classes in biology, conservation, anatomy/physiology, and microbiology are very helpful classes if this is a career path you are considering and can be found at any local community college campus for cheap! Also many organizations offer trainings, conferences, and annual symposiums.

Photo Credit:enviroquestltd.com

^ yup!! that's me playing squirrel mama :)

THINGS TO REMEMBER:

CONS

1. THIS IS NOT GLAMOROUS WORK! (see above) I've come home smelling like skunk (and been kicked out for smelling like skunk haha), I've had a syringe full of turkey mush explode in my face & hair within minutes of getting to the center, I've gotten frozen mouse/quail/rabbit entrails on me. I've had a variety of animals try to bite/claw/talon/swoop at vulnerable parts of my body (okay, that's kind of the fun part too) and I've had to deal with some very unpleasant smells/body fluids.
2. You won't always be handling animals
3. This is hard work. In the busy season, all the animals are on strict feeding/care schedules that must be finished before everyone leaves for the night. Sometimes you will be there longer than 4 hours.
4. Some Most times animals won't make it. Many are brought in severely emaciated or injured and despite our best care and efforts, they can not be rehabilitated and cleared for release. This will be more prevalent during the busy season when the influx of patients is high and supplies are limited. Some injuries can not be fully fixed and if an animal is deemed to be unreleasable then it will be euthanized.
5. Most rehabbers are not paid. Your experience (unless it is as a staff member at a hospital, a vet position, or at a zoo) will be on a volunteer basis. Most hospitals are non-profit organizations and have limited paid staff/interns.
6. If you want to start your own facility, research which permits you will need. This is something you can do out of your home but state and national US Fish and Game have strict regulations in regards to rehabilitation and care of wildlife. Ask other rehabbers how they got started and research, research, research.

PROS

1. The work you are doing is important and your help is needed!
2. You will get opportunities to see, learn, and do things you never dreamed were possible
3. If animal care is not for you, there are so many other ways to help your local wildlife hospital. Ask them for other opportunities and they will happily oblige.
4. Anyone can do this! You don't need formal education or permits of your own if you want to help out at a hospital. All you need to do is be reliable, patient, and enthusiastic.
5. You will meet a lot of new people. I've met some of the most interesting people working in rehabilitation and made some lifelong friends and networking connections that continue to help my career progression.
6. You will get to experience the process come full circle! Having the opportunity to examine an intake, provide them with care, and eventually release them back into the wild is an amazing experience that has given me so much perspective and happiness. Don't miss out on it!

Additional Resources:

National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA) Upcoming events

The California Council for Wildlife Rehabilitators (CCWR) local resources

If you can't find a wildlife hospital nearby, check out your state's rehabilitation organization to get started and get connected.

US Fish and Wildlife Service - for migratory bird permits