How To Apply
Applications for the 2024 Native Wildlife Rehabilitation Grant Program are now being accepted. Applications must be submitted no later than October 15, 2023 (5:00 p.m. PST). There are 4 grant tiers based on the prior year's wild animal intakes: $3,000, $9,000, $14,000, $19,000. This is a competitive grants program with awards based on available funding.
Applicants must provide proof of eligibility:
- Operate a nonprofit entity for the purposes of wildlife rehabilitation.
- Maintain active participation in the Wildlife Rehabilitation Medical Database(opens in new tab).
- Comply with all conditions of the CDFW Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit, Memorandum of Understanding, and any other state and federal permits.
Supported Activities
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." Wildlife rehabilitators permitted by CDFW strive to maintain high ethical standards and quality practices for the rehabilitation of native wildlife in California. Grant funding can pay for various costs that include, but are not limited to, supporting and improving animal care and pre-release conditioning during rehabilitation, such as:
- Veterinarian treatment;
- Species-appropriate diet;
- Enclosure design improvements;
- Behavioral and environmental enrichment;
- Refine wildlife rehabilitation techniques;
- Support and improve facility operations;
- Post-release monitoring, surveillance, data analysis; and
- Conservation education for diverse local communities.
Many eligible wildlife rehabilitators in California have received much-needed financial assistance through this competitive grant program.
- 2023 grants: 47 permitted wildlife rehabilitators applied for $629,000 in funding.
- 2022 grants: 47 permitted wildlife rehabilitators applied for $547,000 in funding.
- 2021 grants: 45 permitted wildlife rehabilitators applied for $549,000 in funding.
Voluntary Tax Contributions
Interested in supporting the wildlife rehabilitators providing humane care and rehabilitation of our most vulnerable native wildlife across California?
The CDFW Native Wildlife Rehabilitation grant program is fully funded by the Native California Wildlife Rehabilitation Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund established pursuant §18749.1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code and §1773 of the Fish and Game Code. All voluntary tax contribution funds (100%) go directly to grant recipients.
Taxpayers who want to help injured, orphaned and sick wildlife – and support permitted wildlife rehabilitators - can contribute using California State Income Tax Form 540 (Voluntary Tax Contributions section). The Native California Wildlife Rehabilitation Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund is on line 439 of the form. For more information about donating, visit the CDFW Tax Donation page. Learn more!