Mississippi Wildlife Rehabilitation - Volunteering as a Wildlife Rehabilitator

Are You Considering Becoming a Volunteer Wildlife Rehabilitator?

Caring people get into wildlife rehabilitation for different reasons, most of which are very good, generous reasons. They love animals and want to help. They don't want to stand by helplessly while wildlife is destroyed. They wish to give back to their communities, and feel that this is the best way they can do it. They wish to further wildlife education, or want to do their part to preserve local wildlife and habitat.

However, hands-on volunteering in wildlife rehabilitation requires much more than a giving heart. All volunteers must go through a three part initial training on general wildlife rehabilitation All start with smaller, more common species such as songbirds, rodents and small mammals. Vector species (raccoons, foxes, skunks, et al.), larger animals such as deer and all birds of prey require very specialized training. Volunteers are not permitted to rehabilitate any birds of prey as their handling requirements are very strictly controlled and extremely difficult. All birds of prey must be brought to MWR's main facility in Lake Cormorant. Instruction will be given to subs on stabilizing a bird of prey, but they must be relinquished.

Wildlife rehabilitation is State and Federally regulated by the US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Mississippi State Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (DWFP); as such there are countless rules that apply in general and to specific species that must be strictly observed. Volunteers must be familiar with the rules so as to not violate them. Violations generally result at a minimum of confiscation of the animal; at most there can be heavy fines levied and revocation of permit.

As USFWS and DWFP have laws already set in stone, MWR has set our guidelines accordingly. One of these is the use, training and oversight of volunteer rehabilitators called "subpermittees". These agencies allow us to have a certain number of subpermittees - volunteers acting on our permits to train and help care for orphaned or injured native species of Mississippi wildlife. Permission to rehabilitate one species does not automatically qualify a volunteer to rehabilitate others.

All subpermittees must adhere to MWR guidelines regarding admissions, caging requirements, personal vaccination and hygiene standards, general rehab care, feeding/nutrition and release. Many species have very specific needs and most volunteers are able to handle only one or two related species. Many species require frequent care so people working full time will not be able to participate as a rehabilitator.

For example, certain animals have very specific caging needs. A subpermittee wishing to rehabilitate one of these species must meet minimum available space requirements, as well as be able keep the wildlife safely away from domestic animals, children and human activity. In addition, they are required to furnish pictures or diagrams of the caging or pens they intend to use. Minimum standard caging requirements set forth by the State and Federal agencies must be met and approved before they are allowed to take in certain species for rehab. An officer from the DWFP may, along with the MWR Director/Asst. Director request permission to come on your property and inspect your caging. If the volunteer meets all of these criteria and have received appropriate training they may be allowed to rehab that species of wildlife.

Rehabbing Mississippi's wildlife is a privilege not a right and a subpermittee status can be revoked if conditions are violated or not adhered to. At any time, should the DWFP or the USFWS hand down a directive regarding the rehabilitation of any certain species, MWR subpermittees are obligated by law to comply with regulations. A few common reasons for a subpermittee status revocation would be:

Using the animals for "show and tell" by taking wildlife in your care to schools.
Allowing people and especially children to handle and interact with wildlife.
Allowing and treating wildlife like a domestic pet. Wildlife should not have the run of the house or yard, or become acclimated to conditions contrary to their natural species behavior.
Allowing wildlife to travel in a vehicle uncaged or taking wildlife to different areas to "visit".
Creating a "zoo like" atmosphere, where children and members of the general public are allowed to view and handle wildlife.

Zoonotic disease transmission is only one reason wildlife should never be in contact with anyone other than the main caregiver. Wild animals that are socialized with people lose their innate fear of humans. This may put the animal and/or humans who come in contact with it in grave danger. The rehabilitated animal could possibly grow up to be dangerous: it could hurt, maim or kill children or people not realizing that what was once play with their caregiver when they were young is now hazardous to all humans they encounter. As a corollary, most humans would be afraid if a wild animal approached them and might shoot or trap them; thus "tamed" wildlife have a greater chance of being killed than those who are strictly wild. Lastly, wild animals/bird who are not fearful of humans are also more likely to spread parasites and diseases to us such as rabies and other zoonotic diseases.

Over-socialization is a particular problem with deer. As herd animals, deer are easy to "tame". While it may seem cute that the little fawn comes to you for a handout, the six-pronged buck in rutting season would not be so cute and could do some serious damage to you or your property. Hunters certainly would enjoy a deer approaching them in the wild - thus a "tamed" deer has less of a chance for survival in the wild. If any wildlife are deemed to be "too tame" from too much socialization in a subpermittee's care, measures must be taken to insure the safety of the general public so the animal will be humanely euthanized.

Not all rehabilitation stories end happily. Some animals are so malnourished, damaged or diseased that they can never return to the wild successfully. Some become over-socialized or refuse to learn the skills necessary for natural survival. With rare exception, these animals must be euthanized. While that is not the first choice of MWR or any rehabiliation facility - and it breaks the hearts of caregivers - it often is the kindest act.

Being listed as a subpermittee gives no free privileges and in addition, will not legalize otherwise illegal activity with wildlife. The policies MWR have set in place are meant to be strict for a reason. Number one, our policies keep volunteers safe and number two they keep others safe. Lastly, they are there for the benefit of the animals. Our main goal and focus should always be teaching this animal what it will need to survive when it is released back into its natural habitat.

There are a few misguided individuals that get into wildlife rehabilitation for the wrong reasons. They thought Dr. Doolittle was real and think it would be cute for them to have tame wildlife around them. They want an unusual or fearsome pet or think that somehow money can be made from wildlife rehabilitation. Most of these "volunteers" are weeded out in the first year, often after the first training session.

Volunteering in wildlife rehabilitation is a selfless act. To be successful, the volunteer is doing it strictly for the animals - and finding great satisfaction and pride from helping nature's most helpless lead lives as was originally intended.

For those who love wildlife but don't have the time or energy to rehabilitate can volunteer in other ways. Donate, build, write, manage, educate. There are many ways you can help!

Still interested? Contact us for more information.