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Native Wildlife Rehabilitation

mountain lion cub on exam table
little brown bat in gloved hand
San Joaquin kit fox treated in field
black bear getting scanned in facility

Introduction

In California, wildlife rehabilitation means "any activity undertaken to restore to a condition of good health, for the purpose of release to the wild, animals occurring naturally and not normally domesticated in this State."

Staff work with permitted facilities and agency partners to ensure high quality practices in the rehabilitation of sick, injured, or orphaned native wildlife. At times, the Department may provide veterinary treatment and temporary care of a wild animal (e.g., injury due to wildfire). The Department is NOT a wildlife rehabilitation facility. Learn more about wildlife rehabilitation in California!

Wildlife Rehabilitation

Proper care of wildlife in distress requires special knowledge, training, and experience not possessed by the general public. A wildlife rehabilitator may operate a permitted facility at one location, use satellite facilities, or an approved home site to perform wildlife rehabilitation. Interested in becoming a wildlife rehabilitator? There are several steps to consider.

Wildlife rehabilitation bear cub
  • Is there a “need” for a new wildlife rehabilitation facility? The Department will consider if there are any permitted facilities in the vicinity of a proposed facility. Currently permitted facilities maintain established standard protocol and standards specific to that specific area of the state.
  • Are you able to obtain two letters of need from nearby permitted facilities? A letter of need helps the Department determine if local facilities are overwhelmed or need help with specific species.
  • Do you have 400 hours of "required experience"? Interested parties may outreach a nearby permitted facility to meet this requirement.
  • Would a new facility, satellite facility, or home site violate any city or county zoning ordinances? A jurisdiction may require a special permit from their planning department (e.g., conditional use permit). Many jurisdictions do not have language specific to wildlife rehabilitation.
  • For more information please email the Wildlife Rehabilitation Program Coordinator at RehabWildlife@wildlife.ca.gov. 

Permitted Facilities

Wildlife rehabilitation facilities operate under a wildlife rehabilitation permit issued by CDFW, valid for three years. Most wildlife rehabilitators do not provide services to pick up wildlife. They rely on the public to transport animals to them. Be courteous and mindful of this when calling for assistance.

Important

  • Never drop off wild animals at a location, unless instructed to do so.
  • Wildlife rehabilitators often work out of their homes. They are not "on-call" (24 hours a day, 7 days per week).
  • Wildlife rehabilitators may specialize in certain species and establish limits on the number of animals they can accept.
  • Wildlife rehabilitation facilities are non-profit entities. They operate with often limited resources and/or dedicated volunteers.

striped raccoon in the wild

Rehab Facilities

Visit the Wildlife Rehabilitation Facilities page for list of permitted facilities

Laws and Regulations

The rehabilitation of wildlife and care of non-releasable animals are only allowed pursuant Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR), relevant state and federal laws. The possession of a Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit and Memorandum of Understanding is required for any person or facility to possess and rehabilitate wildlife in California.

The possession of a Restricted Species Permit is required for every person who imports, exports, transports, or possesses any restricted animal listed in California. Certain non-native species that may be kept as pets in other states (e.g., ferret, hedgehog) are a restricted pet species here. Native wild animals and restricted species may be confiscated due to illegal possession or animal welfare issues.

Non-Releasable Wildlife

Some injured, sick, or orphaned wildlife brought into a permitted wildlife rehabilitation facility, confiscated by law enforcement, or provided temporary care by the Department, are not suitable candidates for release. In some cases, a wild animal has been determined to have permanent impairment altering their ability to survive in the wild. In other cases, an animal may be a habituated or imprinted on humans, a welfare animal, or a non-native restricted species.

  • Staff work tirelessly to find permanent placement for animals that cannot be returned to the wild at qualified permitted facilities.
  • If any animal cannot be released, it shall be transferred to a zoological garden, museum, college, university or other educational/research institution or wildlife exhibitor.
  • If any animal cannot be released or transferred, it shall be humanely euthanized.

Native Wildlife Rehabilitation Grants Program

Supported Activities

Grant funding pays for various costs that support and improve animal care during rehabilitation, as well as conservation of native wildlife, such as:

a squirrel standing on its hind legs
  • Veterinarian treatment
  • Species-appropriate diet
  • Enclosure design improvements
  • Behavioral enrichment
  • Refining wildlife rehabilitation techniques
  • Support and improve facility operations
  • Post-release monitoring, surveillance, data analysis; and
  • Conservation education for diverse local communities.

How to Apply

baby birds in nest

2023 Grant Program application deadline: SEPTEMBER 15, 2022

Application packet must consist of a cover letter, project description, and records verifying eligibility. Instructions provided in the 2023 Public Solicitation Notice (PDF).

NOTE: This is a reimbursable grants program. Allowable costs for reimbursement cannot be incurred prior to or after the grant term. New this year - there are 5 grant tiers based on the prior year's animal intakes: $4,000, $9,000, $14,000, $19,000, and $24,000. Additional funding of $5,000 is available for black bear cub rehabilitation pursuant to the "Black Bear Addendum to Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit/Memorandum of Understanding" between the Department and the facility. 

Eligibility Criteria

  • Provide proof you are a nonprofit organization that operates a wildlife rehabilitation facility permitted pursuant to Section 679 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations; or as an authorized satellite facility (sub-permittee).
  • Be in compliance with all conditions of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Memorandum of Understanding, CDFW permits, and additional federal permits (as needed).
  • Maintain active participation in the Wildlife Rehabilitation Medical Database (WRMD).

Award Recipients

Award Recipients

 

skunk

Many of the eligible wildlife rehabilitation facilities in California have received much-needed financial assistance through the CDFW Native Wildlife Rehabilitation Grant Program.

Native California Wildlife Rehabilitation Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund

black bear cub in tree

Help California’s injured and orphaned wildlife at tax time - Donate on Line 439 of Your Tax Form.

Taxpayers who want to help rehabilitate injured and orphaned wildlife by supporting permitted wildlife rehabilitation facilities can contribute using California State Income Tax Form 540 (Voluntary Tax Contributions section). The Native California Wildlife Rehabilitation Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund can be found on line 439 of the form. For more information about donating at tax time, visit the CDFW Tax Donation page.