WILDLIFE REHABILITATORS

WILDLIFE REHABILITATORS ARE AUTHORIZED TO HANDLE
sick, injured or orphaned mammals, birds, reptiles, or amphibians with the goal of releasing them back into the wild.

All wildlife rehabilitators are authorized to handle squirrels, rabbits, possums, woodchucks, and other small mammals. They may also care for house sparrows, starlings, pigeons, and game birds such as wild turkey, ruffed grouse, and ring-necked pheasants. Only individuals with a federal "Special Purpose Rehabilitation" permit are authorized to care for migratory birds, which include raptors, waterfowl and most songbirds.

Lists of Wildlife Rehabilitators can be found on the Connecticut Wildlife Rehabilitators Association website.

DEALING WITH DISTRESSED BEARS, COYOTES OR BOBCATS:
Since it is difficult to successfully rehabilitate and return bears, coyotes or bobcats to the wild Connecticut law prohibits the possession of these animals. Report the sighting of a distressed bear, coyote, or bobcat to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection-Wildlife Division.

CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, WILDLIFE DIVISION
DEEP's Wildlife Unit will refer callers who have encountered orphaned, injured, or sick wildlife to local wildlife rehabilitators. Wildlife rehabilitators rescue wildlife and care for them until they can be returned to their natural habitats. The Wildlife Division also provides a 24 hour Emergency Dispatach for emergencies including exposures to people and/or domestic animals, bats in living spaces where contact can not be completely ruled out, and wildlife behaving abnormally.

HOW TO BECOME A WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection provides information to individuals interested in becoming a Wildlife Rehabilitator in Connecticut on their website:

http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2723&q=326230&depNav_GID=1655

CONNECTICUT WILDLIFE REHABILITATORS ASSOCIATION
http://www.cwrawildlife.org
Statewide association of wildlife rehabilitators works to improve the care of distressed wildlife in Connecticut. Members help the public obtain assistance for distressed wildlife through a network of trained wildlife rehabilitators and veterinarians, teach rehabilitation skills to members and prospective licensees through regular seminars and workshops, and educate the public, through the association's hotline and the news media, about coexisting with wildlife and resolving distressed and nuisance wildlife problems. CWRA works closely with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection in developing rehabilitator certification exams.

WILDLIFEHOTLINE.ORG
Go to website for information on what to do if you find an orphaned animal, injured animal, or are experiencing a problem with a wild animal at home or on your property.

HOW TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT'S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE: Search by service name: Animal Rescue

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SOURCE: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Wildlife Division
PREPARED BY: 211/lb
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: January2013