Rehabilitation permits are issued to those individuals and organizations experienced in the care of injured and orphaned migratory birds. Requirements for a rehabilitation permit include:

1.  Documented experience in the handling and care of migratory birds;

2.  Letters of reference from local state wildlife wardens and state/federal licensed rehabilitators;

3.  A letter from a licensed veterinarian willing to provide emergency surgical care;

4.  Photographs of the facilities to show adequate housing for the birds while under the permittee’s care.

 

Rehabilitation permits are issued for temporary possession of injured or orphaned birds until they can be released back to the wild. Additional authority is required to hold birds which cannot be released to the wild. Permanently disabled birds can be held for wildlife conservation education when the applicant demonstrates adequate facilities for permanent housing. Application requirements include:

1.  Pamphlets and information on the content of the educational presentations;

2.  How the bird will be presented;

3.  The applicant’s background and experience in wildlife education;

4.  photographs of facilities.

 

Photographs must clearly show both inside and outside of the mews/cages to show protection from the elements and predators (outside) and ample room to extend wings and move about without injury to the bird.

 

For rehabilitation caging requirements we recommend the publication, "Minimum Standards for Wildlife Rehabilitation" published jointly by the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association and the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council.

Caging and housing requirements for holding educational birds, we suggest the publication "Care and Management of Captive Raptors" published by The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota. For information, contact 1-800-970-8636.