Table of Contents
- 1 How long does it take to become an animal rehabilitator?
- 2 What is the job outlook for a wildlife rehabilitator?
- 3 What animals do wildlife rehabilitators work with?
- 4 What wildlife rehabilitators do?
- 5 How much do wildlife rehabilitators make in Colorado?
- 6 What are the requirements to be a wildlife rehabilitator?
- 7 What types of animals do wildlife rehabilitation centers work with?
How long does it take to become an animal rehabilitator?
To obtain a wildlife rehabilitation permit, applicants must pass a state examination, complete at least 25 hours of hands-on activity and 6 hours of instructional training, and get their facilities approved by the state. Contact the department directly for more information and an application.
What is the job outlook for a wildlife rehabilitator?
What Does a Wildlife Rehabilitator Do?
| Wildlife Caretaker | |
|---|---|
| Licensure Required | Wildlife rehab license required; state permit required; migratory bird permit required |
| Job Growth (2018-2028) | 16\% for non-farm animal caretakers; strong competition for wildlife jobs* |
| Average Salary (2018) | $25,890 for non-farm animal caretakers* |
What animals do wildlife rehabilitators work with?
In many cases, rehabilitators raise orphaned young animals to maturity. Depending on their geographic location, rehabilitators may work with many species including deer, raccoons, woodpeckers, eagles, hawks, pelicans, herons, turtles, snakes, seals, hummingbirds, ducks, owls, bats, frogs, ferrets, geese, and swans.
Do animal rehabilitators get paid?
Most wildlife rehabilitators are volunteers. Paid positions do exist, however. The general annual pay range is between $20,000 and $40,000, with senior positions at large facilities having salaries of up to $75,000 per year.
Can a rehab animal survive in the wild?
They are taken care of and treated under captivity only until able to live independently in the wild. Every effort is made to minimize human contact and prevent the taming of rehabilitation patients. So, when they are released back into their wild habitat, they often survive well.
What wildlife rehabilitators do?
What is Wildlife Rehabilitation? Wildlife rehabilitators are professionals responsible for the care and treatment of injured, orphaned or displaced wildlife. The ultimate goal is to return healthy animals to the wild by fostering their release into appropriate habitats.
How much do wildlife rehabilitators make in Colorado?
While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $95,827 and as low as $18,320, the majority of salaries within the Wildlife Rehabilitation jobs category currently range between $26,305 (25th percentile) to $46,974 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $80,795 annually in Colorado.
What are the requirements to be a wildlife rehabilitator?
Rehabilitators who wish to care for migratory birds must also get permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Wildlife rehabilitators work under a veterinarian’s guidance to assess injuries and identify a variety of illnesses, and must be able to administer basic first aid and physical therapy.
Is wildlife rehabilitation right for You?
If you respect and admire wild animals, wildlife rehabilitation might just be the calling for you. There is much more to the job than just a love for wildlife. Successful rehabilitation and release of sick, injured and orphaned wild animals requires specific skills and knowledge, as well as legal permits and licenses.
What are the requirements to be a bird rehabilitator?
Before receiving their permits, rehabilitators must meet various requirements, such as specialized training, participation in mentorship programs, facility inspections, and written or oral exams. Rehabilitators who wish to care for migratory birds must also get permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
What types of animals do wildlife rehabilitation centers work with?
Though wildlife rehabilitators work with a variety of animals, some centers and facilities specialize in certain types of species. For example, some might work with native and exotic animals, while others work specifically with reptiles or small mammals.