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An elk calf lays next to a curb in a parking lot

What is Wildlife Rehabilitation?

Wildlife rehabilitation is the process of providing aid to injured, orphaned, displaced, or distressed wild animals in such a way that they may survive when released to their native habitats. The spectrum of activities ranges from direct care of wildlife to arranging suitable release sites. Wildlife rehabilitation also involves anticipating and helping to prevent problems with wildlife as well as humanely resolving human-wildlife conflicts.

Wildlife Rehabilitation Facilities

Wildlife rehabilitation may be conducted:

  • in the homes of permitted or licensed wildlife rehabilitators
  • in stand-alone rehabilitation facilities or centers
  • as a separate affiliate of another organization such as a humane society, animal sanctuary, or veterinary clinic.

Facilities need to meet established criteria; standards for safety, cleanliness, and sanitation; and government agency regulations (including rehabilitation, health, and zoning regulations and ordinances).

An elk calf lays against a curb in a parking lot. Photo by Wayne D Lewis/CPW

Getting Help

Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitators

If you find wildlife that is injured or in distress, do NOT touch, move, or handle the wildlife. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitation facility that specializes in that species. If you cannot find a rehabber in your area that handles that species, please contact your local CPW office.

Wildlife Rehabilitators

Becoming a Wildlife Rehabilitator

Interested in becoming a wildlife rehabilitator? Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) recommends that individuals considering becoming a wildlife rehabilitator begin by reading both the 2-page brochure entitled Learn About Wildlife Rehab Brochure and the more in-depth 10-page booklet entitled Wildlife Rehabilitation: Is It For You?. These documents provide an overview of rehabilitation activities and general requirements. The National Wildlife Rehabilitation Association (NWRA) and the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC) have endorsed both documents for potential rehabilitators.

After completing that reading, review the wildlife rehabilitator flowchart, which briefly outlines the steps necessary to become licensed in Colorado.

Wildlife Regulations Chapter 14 - Wildlife Rehabilitation

Chapter 14

Colorado Parks and Wildlife Regulations Chapter 14 Wildlife Rehabilitation

Read more

Chapter 14 Changes Chart

This chart summarizes the changes to wildlife rehabilitation regulations that were approved by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission in spring, 2009 after a 9-month process that involved rehabilitators and the Parks and Wildlife.

Read more

Fall 2009 CCWR Newsletter Article

Article for Fall 2009 CCWR Newsletter submitted by Special Licensing describes the rationale behind the new section of the wildlife rehab regulations passed in 2009 that relate to the use of unlicensed people helping with wildlife care, such as volunteers, interns and seasonal staff.

Read more

Chapter 14 Basis and Purpose

Additional background for the changes in Chapter 14 made in 2009 are in this basis and purpose document.

Read more

Provisional Wildlife Rehabilitator

The process of becoming a rehabilitator requires commitment and extensive preparation. It also requires the development of specific knowledge and skills. Any person who would like to rehabilitate and release orphaned, sick or injured wildlife in their own home or facility must first work under the sponsorship and supervision of a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. They also must obtain a state provisional wildlife rehabilitation license, and a federal permit if rehabilitating birds. 

    Provisional Guidelines

    Provisional Guidelines will help a prospective rehabilitator understand the requirements to obtain a Provisional Wildlife Rehabilitation license, including:

    • Information on the various regulatory requirements
    • Considerations for selecting and working with an experienced wildlife rehabilitator that will serve in the required sponsorship role
    Sponsor Guidelines

    Sponsor Guidelines will help a wildlife rehabilitator determine if they want to assume sponsorship responsibilities for a new rehabilitator. The sponsor will help the provisional licensee become a capable and skilled rehabilitator, obtain supplies, and prepare a rehabilitation facility. Potential sponsors are expected to read and understand this set of guidelines prior to agreeing to sponsor a provisional rehabilitator. 

    Successful sponsors:

    • Fully understand the time and energy required to train and supervise a new rehabilitator
    • Have the ability to assess a new person’s ability 
    • Understand what it takes to complete the required training period and go on to be a successful rehabilitator
    Learning Plan

    The applicant and sponsor must work together to develop the Learning Plan, which is based on Chapter 14 regulations and is specific to each applicant. Provisionals and sponsors may select from one of two different templates as a basis for meeting the regulatory requirements. 

    After the provisional wildlife rehabilitation application is accepted, an annual progress report for the Learning Plan is submitted with the Annual Rehabilitation Record and Renewal due no later than January 31st of each year. 

    Facility Inspection

    Wildlife rehabilitation facilities must be inspected and approved by CPW prior to the license being approved. In addition, regulations require that the sponsor review and approve the caging of the person applying for the Provisional Wildlife Rehabilitation license prior to submitting their application to CPW in order to ensure that the Provisional has appropriate space, caging, supplies and so forth. While the District Wildlife Manager will use this form during the inspection, the Provisional and sponsor are encouraged to consider it during the facility preparation and sponsor inspection.

    Provisional Application

    Provisional wildlife rehabilitation applicants are required to submit an application to the Special Licensing Unit online. The application provides general information from the applicant and sponsor and is signed by both. 

    These documents will be required to be attached to the application:

    Apply Now
    Provisional Upgrade Process

    After at least one year as a provisional rehabilitator, and when the provisional and sponsor agree that the provisional has met the requirements for an upgrade for their full permit, they work together to prepare a Provisional Upgrade Request, which includes an interview with the local District Wildlife Manager (DWM), documentation, and submitting the final application online.

    Provisional Upgrade Application

    Once the provisional and sponsor have completed the provisional upgrade request documentation, they will submit the application to upgrade online. The following documents will need to be attached to the application:

    Apply Now
    Study Materials and Other Resources

    Maintaining Your Wildlife Rehabilitator License

      Annual Reporting

      Wildlife rehabilitators are required to submit a record of their rehabilitation activities each year, including a complete list of all animals, their disposition, a summary of rehabilitation and any transfers. The forms may be completed and submitted as paper documents or electronically. The Annual Report is due no later than January 31st each year as an attachment to the license renewal application.

      Unlicensed Individuals Assisting with Direct Animal Care

      Chapter 14 allows unlicensed people (volunteers, interns, seasonal staff, etc.) to help wildlife rehabilitators with direct animal care at CPW approved rehabilitation facilities and under specific conditions. While these unlicensed people are generally under the direct supervision of a wildlife rehabilitator who is onsite, the regulations allow exceptions if certain requirements are met.

      The following clarifies what is expected by the regulations, various resources and recordkeeping forms.

      Requirements for Unlicensed Individuals Helping with Direct Animal Care

      • Record Keeping

        Rehabilitators must maintain records related to any and all unlicensed people who have assisted with direct animal care and must be submitted to the CPW with the annual rehabilitation report and license renewal that is due no later than January 31st annually. 

      • Required Training

        Assisting wildlife rehabilitators with animals requires knowledge and skill. Chapter 14 requires that all unlicensed people assisting with animals have some basic training provided by the fully-licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

      • Written Protocols

        If there are times when the unlicensed person may be working at the rehabilitation facility when the licensed wildlife rehabilitator is not onsite, there must be written protocols for the tasks to be accomplished. Note that written protocols and written instructions are not the same, as outlined in the document.

      • Acceptable Animal Care

        One of the other conditions for using unlicensed people to help with direct animal care is that acceptable animal care must be maintained. It is expected that all rehabilitators work toward quality animal care, but CPW acknowledges that considerably more research and discussion is needed to more fully define acceptable animal care, however, this document provides some initial ideas and direction on the topic of what constitutes acceptable animal care.

      • Animal Transport

        A wildlife rehabilitation transport form is required for any unlicensed individual transporting wildlife from a rehabilitator’s facility to a veterinarian, rehabilitator, release site or other site allowed by regulation. While rehabilitators may develop and use their own forms, this form provides a useful template.

      Rehabilitation License Application

      Wildlife Rehabilitation License Application

      • Current Wildlife Rehabilitation License Holders - Annual Renewal

        The following documents are required to be attached to the application for any Colorado wildlife rehabilitation license holders when they renew annually. Renewal applications are due by January 31st annually.

      • Lapsed Colorado Wildlife Rehabilitation License Holders

        The following documents are required to be attached to the application for any lapsed Colorado wildlife rehabilitation license holders to request reinstatement.

      • Out-of-State Wildlife Rehabilitation License Holders Relocating to Colorado

        The following documents are required to be attached to the application for any non-Colorado rehabilitation license holder who is relocating to Colorado and wishes to bypass the provisional license requirements due to licensed, valid, documented rehabilitation activities outside of Colorado.

        • Written statements of violations (if any)
        • Required local permits
        • USFWS Special Purpose Rehabilitation Permit (if applicable)
        • Consulting veterinarian agreement
        • If rehabilitation of skunk or bat, evidence of rabies titers is required
        • Copies of previous licenses
        • A written certification of previous licensed wildlife rehabilitation experience that meets or exceeds the requirements for a Colorado Provisional Wildlife Rehabilitator to upgrade to a full Wildlife Rehabilitator license as described in CPW Regulations Chapter 14
      Apply Now

      Wildlife Rehabilitation Grants

      Wildlife Rehabilitation Grants are a program offered by Colorado Parks and Wildlife to support wildlife rehabilitation efforts across the state. Grant funds can only be used for species authorized under the applicable wildlife rehabilitation license. 

      Learn more

      Avian Influenza

      Wildlife can be infected with and transmit diseases between animals, species, and to humans. In order to control the spread of dangerous diseases, certain precautions must be taken. Currently, avian influenza is of particular concern to CPW due to its highly infectious nature.

        Avian Influenza Precautions

        Wildlife professionals and individuals licensed to handle wild birds in areas where HPAI is active should:

        • Wear protective gear such as gloves, a face mask and eye protection when handling wild species with a high risk for carrying avian influenza or birds found sick or dead.
        • Wash your hands and disinfect equipment after handling. There are many disinfectants suitable for use against avian influenza viruses.
        • Ensure that equipment and surfaces are cleaned with soap and water prior to applying disinfectants. Disinfectants require a specific amount of contact time to kill the virus. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the product that you use.
        Game Bird Facilities

        Game birds such as pheasants, turkeys, grouse, and quail may be susceptible to HPAI. The main way to protect your birds is to maintain good sanitation and biosecurity, limit bird movement, and minimize contact with wild birds. See the below link to CDA guidance for more information on biosecurity practices.

        Wildlife Rehabilitators

        All birds, even apparently healthy ones, should be quarantined before mixing with resident birds. Avoid mixing species and unnecessary bird-to-bird contact. Consider foot baths, dedicated footwear or other biosecurity measures to limit introduction of viruses into the facility. Consider limiting or stopping admissions of wild species with high risk for carrying avian influenza viruses during this HPAI outbreak.If birds in your facility show signs of illness, consult with a veterinarian immediately to facilitate testing.

        Other Disease Resources