New Jersey's Wildlife Rehabilitators - Feature Article
Wildlife Rehabilitators Wish List (pdf,740kb)
People are usually anxious to help when they find sick, injured and/or orphaned wildlife. However, most people are unaware of normal wildlife behavior and often become involved unnecessarily. Hopefully people who do intervene will contact a licensed rehabilitor - a person whose first response is to extract information from callers and evaluate if human intervention is, in fact, necessary.
If the situation does require action by a rehabilitator, the caller is instructed in the appropriate steps to follow. Unfortunately, the public is generally unaware of the health, safety and biological issues pertaining to wildlife rehabilitation (such as disease, parasites and the effects of interfering with and/or relocating wildlife).
To ensure the health and safety of the public and the wildlife, the Division has specific requirements and standards for both facilities and staff involved in wildlife rehabilitation. The Division has implemented these standards to ensure the quality of the permittee (questionnaires) and the facility (inspections). The ultimate goal of the rehabilitation program is to release rehabilitated wildlife “back to the wild”.
Becoming and continuing as a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in New Jersey is a major responsibility and requires much time and dedication. Below are various documents pertaining to the licensing process.
Those interested in becoming a rehabilitator should first read the "Rehabilitator Information Sheet." The "Definitions and Requirements" document will also be helpful.
Licensed NJ Wildlife Rehabilitators
REHABILITATOR INFORMATION
NJ NONGAME & ENDANGERED SPECIES - INFORMATION & REGULATIONS
FEDERAL ENDANGERED SPECIES LIST & INFORMATION
WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR PERMIT FORMS
INITIAL APPLICATIONS
Avian Species
NJ Application Form (pdf, 215kb)
USFWS Application Form (pdf, USFWS site)
Mammal Species
NJ Application Form (pdf, 490kb)
Reptile Species
NJ Application Form (pdf, 190kb)
RENEWAL FORMS
New Jersey Permits
Annual Report Form (pdf, 290kb)
Permit Renewal Form (pdf, 515kb)
Sample Reports
Intake Summary - Sample (pdf, 11kb)
Species Summary - Sample (pdf, 7kb)
Codes (pdf, 8kb)
USGS Avian Codes - Sample (pdf, 9kb)
Blank Report Forms (Use of these forms is not required, but all information should be included in your report)
Intake Summary - Blank (pdf, 8kb)
Species Summary Blank (pdf, 7kb)
USFWS PERMIT - Migratory Bird Rehabilitation Annual Report (pdf, USFWS site)
RABIES
The following are rabies-related links to information posted by the NJ Department of Health, Communicable Disease Service:
The Communicable Disease Service Rabies webpage:
For assistance with rabies situations or to report a suspect rabid animal, contact the Heath Officer for the jurisdiction where the incident occurred.
CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE
WHITE-NOSE SYNDROME INFORMATION
ADDITIONAL LINKS