Education

Wildlife Rehabilitation is a profession that requires an interdisciplinary skillset to ensure wildlife are receiving the highest standardized care possible. In Washington State a person must receive a permit from WDFW to rehabilitate wildlife. This entails gaining experience and references, passing an exam, working with a principal veterinarian and providing appropriate facilities. The best way to get started is by volunteering at an existing permitted wildlife center. 

• Animal Care: We are so excited to work with you and appreciate your interest in caring for wildlife. Until we have more resources to admit a greater volume of wildlife, animal care positions may be limited. Wildlife care volunteers must be 18 or older. Please email us for an application.
• Maintenance: We will be looking for respectful, handy individuals to dedicate their time and skills to building and keeping a sturdy, clean facility. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old. Please email us for an application. 
• Outreach: This one is for all ages! We are so happy to be a part of your community. We want everyone to know we are here to help your wild neighbors. Please contact us for details. 

We believe education is the best way to a brighter, wilder future!  We would love to visit your classroom and share a little bit about what wildlife rehabilitation is and how the kids can be involved in helping wildlife in their surrounding ecosystem. We look forward to meeting your class!  Email us for details. 

• Feeding wildlife creates human-animal conflict. This causes harm to everyone involved. When an animal relies on the food a person has been offering it, it does not gain or maintain the skillset to naturally forage. The animal will associate humans with food and could become dangerous. 
• If you find an injured animal, please call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before trying to contain it. Some species may be dangerous to approach. If the animal is clearly injured and safe to contain, please contain it in a dark, quiet place with NO food and water and call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator immediately. 
• Every year fledgling birds are mistaken as injured and picked up off the ground. Most bird species spend several days on the ground once they have fledged from the nest and their parents continue to care for them. If you find a baby bird, please call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. 
• Flighted birds often hit things or get hit by things. Sometimes they are just in shock and need some time to recover. If you see a grounded bird, call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for guidance. 
• Among natural causes, baby mammals are typically found by pets, or the parent mammal has decided your home was a safe place. If you find a baby mammal, call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for guidance. DO NOT attempt to feed or care for the animal. 
• Google provides a lot of misinformation for what to do when you find a particular animal. Unfortunately, most wildlife that well-meaning people care for do not need care at all, or they make it to a professional when it's too late. It's always best to call a licensed rehabilitator when you believe that you have found a wild animal in need. 
• Domestic cats are one of the leading causes an animal is admitted into wildlife rehabilitation. Cats have a bacterium in their mouth which can be fatal to wildlife. CWWH recommends keeping pet cats inside or contained outdoors by leash or "catio," an enclosed cat patio.