Permitting process keeps animal welfare at the forefront of Washington wildlife rehabilitation
Washington’s permitted wildlife rehabilitators play the crucial role of caring for sick, injured, orphaned, or abandoned animals while professionally preparing them to return to the wild. Animal welfare and ethics are at the forefront of the wildlife rehabilitation profession.
To do this important work, wildlife rehabilitators in the state must obtain permits through the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and must be approved for the specific species they plan to rehabilitate. Currently, there are 29 wildlife rehabilitation centers in Washington with permitted and approved rehabilitators overseeing operations.
“Wildlife rehabilitators provide an important service, caring for injured and sick wildlife and preparing them for release back into the wild,” said Alysha Evans, WDFW’s wildlife rehabilitation and falconry coordinator. “Rehabilitators provide additional benefit to WDFW, including by detecting early warning signs of disease.”
“The Department values the tireless work of our state’s permitted rehabilitators,” added Jenna Judge, WDFW’s assistant wildlife diversity division manager. “WDFW’s role is to provide oversight to maintain standards for animal welfare and ensure rehabilitated wildlife has the best chance of a successful return back to their natural habitat.”
How do wildlife rehabilitators obtain permits?
To receive a wildlife rehabilitation permit through WDFW, one must:
- Work with a permitted wildlife rehabilitator in Washington for 1,000 hours, including 500 hours in the spring and summer, which are the busiest times for rehabilitators. The applicant must work with a rehabilitator that is compliant with their permit conditions and in good standing with the Department.
- Find a veterinarian who agrees to provide primary medical care for wildlife patients at their facility.
- Submit a permit application to WDFW and pass a written exam. Depending on the species they plan to care for, applicants may have to take multiple exams and/or trainings and acquire additional hours of experience working with specific species.
- Undergo an inspection of their facilities, protocols, and procedures. Facility requirements and inspection criteria may vary based on the facility’s size and the species the rehabilitator works with.
WDFW conducts regular inspections and drop-in visits to wildlife rehabilitation facilities to promote collaboration and ensure permitted rehabilitators are meeting all requirements of their permit. Permitted wildlife rehabilitators submit annual reports including a compilation of daily ledgers of the wildlife entering their care. They must submit a request to WDFW to add to the list of species they are authorized to accept under their permit.
Permitted wildlife rehabilitators working with migratory birds must also obtain a permit through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and those handling marine mammals must receive a permit from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
What happens if a rehabilitator no longer meets permit requirements?
In the event a wildlife rehabilitator is no longer meeting the requirements of their permit, WDFW has a process in place to help the rehabilitator come back into compliance and meet the needs of wildlife in their care. In the best interest of wildlife, WDFW may modify, suspend, or revoke a wildlife rehabilitation permit if a rehabilitator can no longer meet the requirements of their permit or is unwilling to operate fully within state regulations.
“Wildlife rehabilitation is a regulated profession; it’s not just a hobby,” Evans said. “Checks and balances are in place to ensure the most humane treatment of wildlife, and to give these animals the best chance of a successful return back to the wild.”
The Washington Administrative Code provides a process and timeline for suspending or revoking wildlife rehabilitation permits. Throughout the process, WDFW provides the permitted wildlife rehabilitator resources, information, and support, including sharing best practices from other permitted rehabilitators.
“In these situations, our goal is always to help rehabilitators come back into compliance with their permits, and to work with the rehabilitator to make sure animal welfare is at the forefront,” Evans said. “Permit revocation is a last resort. The Department supports working with rehabilitators and remedying problems before we get to that point.”
What happens to wildlife that can’t be released?
In addition to caring for wildlife, permitted wildlife rehabilitators play a vital role in education. Wildlife rehabilitation facilities receive thousands of calls each year, many of which have to do with non-releasable wildlife and misconceptions surrounding them.
“The primary goal of any wildlife rehabilitation case is to release the wildlife back into nature as soon as possible,” Evans said. “Unfortunately, in some instances, this isn’t possible. There are a few options for wildlife that cannot be released back into their natural habitat, and professional rehabilitators take decisions about what to do in these cases very seriously.”
In special circumstances, some wildlife can be permanently placed with a permitted zoo, aquarium, or sanctuary with Departmental approval. WDFW does not oversee sanctuaries, zoos, or aquariums that permanently house wildlife. Oversight for these facilities typically falls under the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Municipalities and counties may also pass ordinances regulating zoos or sanctuaries within their jurisdictions.
WDFW may authorize a rehabilitation facility to keep non-releasable wildlife for educational purposes, or to serve as a surrogate for other wildlife in need. The center’s veterinarian must agree that the individual cannot be returned to the wild, and the Department determines whether keeping the animal in captivity would be ethical and humane.
Sometimes, compassionate euthanasia is the most humane and responsible option for wildlife that cannot be released.
“While this choice is never easy, it is a gift to the wildlife patients in need,” Evans said. “Professional wildlife rehabilitators work with their veterinarians and are trained to know when this is the most ethical decision.”
Wildlife rehabilitation resources
WDFW offers a grant program for permitted wildlife rehabilitators to help pay for food, medical treatment, enclosures, facility renovations or additions, and other wildlife care. Wildlife rehabilitators are volunteers, and most facilities operate as nonprofits. The Washington Administrative Code prohibits wildlife rehabilitators from requiring payment for their services, though they may accept donations.
Visit WDFW’s wildlife rehabilitation webpage for more information about Washington wildlife rehabilitation, including full permitting requirements.
If you have found wildlife in need of care, contact a permitted rehabilitator as soon as possible and follow their instructions. Do not attempt to treat or raise wildlife yourself — it is illegal to hold or care for wildlife without a permit. To find your nearest wildlife rehabilitator, visit WDFW’s website.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.
