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Wildlife rehabilitation permits

Wildlife rehabilitation permits

Is wildlife rehabilitation for you? Common questions

Table of Contents

Overview

This information explains how wildlife rehabilitation is permitted and regulated in Michigan. Wildlife rehabilitation is the care and treatment of injured, sick, or orphaned wild animals so they can be released back to the wild.

Key idea: Most wild young do not need “rescuing.” Many species hide their young and return later. When in doubt, contact a permitted rehabilitator or the DNR before intervening.

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Who needs a permit

In Michigan, a person must have an DNR wildlife rehabilitation permit to possess (capture, transport, house, treat, or otherwise hold) a native wild mammal or wild bird for rehabilitation purposes.

  • Permittees hold the wildlife rehabilitation permit.
  • Subpermittees operate under a permittee’s permit, with limits (see Subpermittees).
  • Federally protected birds (for example, migratory birds, eagles) may require federal authorization in addition to state authorization.
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Before you apply

Minimum preparation

  • Be at least 18 years of age.
  • Have at least 30 hours of hands-on experience with a licensed veterinarian or at least 30 hours working as a subpermittee under a permitted Michigan wildlife rehabilitator.
  • Complete the IWRC Foundations of Wildlife Rehabilitation (1AB) basic skills class.
  • Be ready for facility standards and inspection requirements.

Common reasons applications stall

  • Missing letters/affidavits documenting hands-on hours and competence.
  • Facility location details missing (or missing landowner lease/permission where applicable).
  • Applying for species outside your facility’s demonstrated capacity.
  • Inspection delays during hunting seasons and State of Michigan holidays.
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Permit types

This describes a wildlife rehabilitation permit (for permittees) and a subpermittee permit (for individuals working under a permittee). The DNR may limit what species you may possess based on your experience, facilities, and applicable rules.

  • Wildlife rehabilitation permit: authorizes rehabilitation activities for approved species groups and facilities.
  • Wildlife rehabilitation subpermittee permit: authorizes assistance under a permittee’s supervision and within the limits of the rules.
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How to apply for a new permit

  1. Obtain the correct application form(s) referenced (PR 9129-1 for permittees; PR 9129-2 for subpermittees) or use the DNR web-based application system.
  2. Complete the application in full, including listing the facility location(s).
  3. As required, include documentation showing you meet the experience/training prerequisites (for example, affidavit letters and course completion documentation) and any required landowner lease/permission if the property is not owned by the applicant.
  4. Submit application materials to: Permit Specialist, Wildlife Division, DNR, PO Box 30444, Lansing, MI 48909-7944, or email DNR-PermitSpecialist@michigan.gov, or submit through the web-based application system.
  5. After receipt, the Wildlife Division Permit Specialist will request facility inspection(s) by the DNR Law Enforcement Division.
  6. After the inspection(s) are approved, the Permit Specialist has 30 business days to approve and send the permit.
Tip: Keep a copy of everything you submit and track which facility addresses and species groups you requested. Any later change typically requires an amendment (see Amending a permit).
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Subpermittees

A subpermittee is authorized to assist under a permittee’s permit, subject to the conditions and limitations in the Wildlife Conservation Order and the permit conditions.

  • Subpermittees may have limits on what they can possess or rehabilitate. For example, subpermittees cannot possess or rehabilitate wild deer, including fawn bottle babies, but may assist with transporting fawns.
  • For full legal requirements, see Chapter 5 of WCO.
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Amending a permit

If you need to change any information on your wildlife rehabilitation permit (for example, facility address, contact information, or the number/types of animals), you must submit an amended application.

  1. Contact the Wildlife Division Permit Specialist (517-284-6210 or DNR-PermitSpecialist@michigan.gov) to request a paper or electronic amendment application, or use the web-based application system.
  2. Complete the Wildlife Rehabilitation Application and Permit form (PR 9129-1) with current information and indicate “Amend” and your permit number.
  3. Attach an explanation of the changes and any required documents (for example, landowner agreement; federal permit for federally protected birds).
  4. Submit the amended materials to the Permit Specialist (mail, email, or web-based system).
  5. Allow up to 60 days to receive the approved amended permit, noting that approval depends on inspection availability.
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Renewing a permit

Wildlife rehabilitation permits are valid for five years and expire on March 31 of the fifth year following issuance (see WCO Sec. 5.73).

  • This information and WCO require continuing education for renewal unless the rehabilitator is a licensed veterinarian (see WCO Sec. 5.72(1)(c)).
  • Renewal materials and any required continuing education documentation should be submitted as instructed by the Permit Specialist.
  • Continuing education is avaialble from the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council and the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association.
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Records and reporting

Permittees must keep up-to-date records for all wild animals in their possession and submit annual reports.

  • Records must include (at minimum) species, condition, donor/source name and address, and disposition method/date.
  • For threatened/endangered species, species of special concern, and overwintered animals, records must also include county of origin and county of release.
  • Records must be submitted to the Permit Specialist by January 31 each year (or within 15 days after termination of the permit) and kept for two years after the submission due date.
For the verbatim legal language, see WCO Sec. 5.72c.
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Care and facility standards

Facilities must meet established care and housing standards and remain open to inspection.

  • Enclosures must be structurally sound, appropriate for the species, and maintained to prevent escape and injury.
  • Facilities covered by a permit must be open to inspection by DNR (and, where applicable, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) at any reasonable time.
See WCO Sec. 5.72a for facility standards and inspection authority.
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Release and disposition

Rehabilitation is centered on returning wild animals to the wild. Release decisions should consider season, location, disease risk, and whether the animal can survive independently.

  • Soft release methods that create dependency on humans can lead to nuisance behavior and may violate other laws (for example, deer baiting/feeding restrictions in the Lower Peninsula.
  • If an animal cannot be rehabilitated sufficiently for release, the Wildlife Conservation Order specifies lawful disposition methods (see WCO Sec. 5.74).
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Species with special rules

Some species have additional restrictions for possession, transport, rehabilitation, and release. These rules are detailed in (WCO Sec. 5.74a) and, where relevant, in the in this information's guidance sections.

Deer (including fawns)

  • This information and WCO impose strict limits related to Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) counties, county-of-origin tracking, movement restrictions, and euthanasia requirements for unknown origin or exposed animals.
  • In Michigan, deer generally cannot be possessed for wildlife rehabilitation from October 1 to March 1 without a veterinarian recommendation and DNR authorization, and fawns must be released by October 1 unless an exception is approved.
  • Subpermittees cannot possess or rehabilitate wild deer, including fawn bottle babies (but may assist with transporting fawns).

Skunks and bats

  • The WCO identifies skunks and bats as “special concern” and states live skunks and bats shall not be possessed (see WCO Sec. 5.74a).

Raccoons

  • Raccoons may be possessed and released only under specific conditions, including county-of-origin requirements and additional disease-related restrictions (see WCO Sec. 5.74a).
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Public display and social media

Wild animals being rehabilitated are not pets. Animals cannot be housed in a way that is visible or otherwise viewable by members of the public, unless the DNR approves an exception or issues other authorization on a case-by-case basis.

  • Members of the public cannot have direct or indirect contact with any animals being rehabilitated unless otherwise approved by the DNR.
  • Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may post carefully considered photos on social media, and media should never depict illegal activity or inappropriate handling (for example, kissing/snuggling wildlife, or animals in common living spaces with household pets).
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Disease, bites, and safety

Wildlife may carry diseases transmissible to humans or pets. It is recommended that you minimize handling and use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when dealing with sick or abnormal-acting animals.

Rabies testing and bite incidents: An animal that has bitten someone, or is needed for rabies examination, should not be shot in the head or subject to head trauma.

Disease reporting and department-directed protocols are addressed in WCO Sec. 5.74 (disease/abnormal behavior reporting requirements).
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Complaints and enforcement

Complaints regarding violations of wildlife rehabilitation regulations should be directed to the DNR Law Enforcement Division.

  • Email: DNR-LawEnforcement@michigan.gov
  • Phone: 517-284-6000
  • If immediate action is required: call the nearest DNR office, a conservation officer, or the toll-free RAP Hotline 1-800-292-7800 (for reporting violations; not a general information number).

Permit sanctions or revocations may be conducted by an Administrative Hearing Officer under the Administrative Procedures Act, as described and referenced statutory language (see WCO Sec. 5.250).

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Contacts

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This episode of the Wildtalk Podcast contains an important interview explaining the reasons why only licensed wildlife rehabilitators are permitted to possess and rehabilitate wild animals. The interview starts at the 21:09 mark. 

WildlifeHelp.info (External resource)