Wildlife Rehabilitator Code Of Ethics

1. A wildlife rehabilitator should strive to achieve high standards of animal care through knowledge and an understanding of the field. Continuing efforts must be made to keep informed of current rehabilitation information, methods, and regulations.

2. A rehabilitator's attitude should be responsible, conscientious, and dedicated: continuously working toward improving the quality of care given to wild animals undergoing rehabilitation.

3. A rehabilitator must abide by local, state, and federal laws concerning wildlife and wildlife rehabilitation.

4. A rehabilitator should establish good and safe work habits and conditions, abiding by current health and safety practices at all times.

5. Rehabilitators should acknowledge their limitations and enlist the assistance of a veterinarian when appropriate.

6. As a means of preventing further wildlife loss and abuse, a rehabilitator should encourage community support and involvement through volunteer training and public education.

7. Rehabilitators should respect other rehabilitators, sharing skills and knowledge with each other, and working toward a common goal: a responsible concern for living beings and the welfare of the environment.

8. A rehabilitator should work on the basis of sound ecological principles, incorporating appropriate conservation ethics and an attitude of stewardship.

9. A rehabilitator should acknowledge that a non-releasable animal, inappropriate for education, foster-parenting or captive breeding, has a right to euthanasia.

10. A rehabilitator should strive to maintain all animals in a wild condition and release them as soon as appropriate.

With acknowledgement and thanks to International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association, Oregon Wildlife Rehabilitation Association, and Umpqua Wildlife Rescue for various drafts of this code.