Affiliations and Permits

CWC is affiliated with the Oregon Wildlife Rehabilitation Association (OWRA), the National Wildlife Rehabilitation Association (NWRA), and the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC). CWC follows all the standards and policies endorsed by the IWRC and the NWRA.

Permits

State and federal wildlife regulatory authorities must license rehabilitators and/or rehabilitation centers. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife requires that rehabilitators pass a written test in order to get licenses.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must also license any rehabilitator working with migratory birds or raptors. Those working with marine mammals, eagles, or endangered or threatened species need additional permits, which are issued at the discretion of local biologists after applicants have successfully completed an exam. Rehabilitators must have a state license before they can be issued a federal permit.

Training requirements for rehabilitators include knowledge of medical skills, handling and restraint skills, animal behavior, natural history, diet and nutritional needs and differences among species, and legal and regulatory information.