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!