Wildlife rehabilitation is often an area of animal rescue that many people do not consider but it is one that is in strong demand and it can be done from any area in the country.
The International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council is a great organization to start with as they have an international focus and a broad variety of resources. They have courses like the Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation course which is very well done and a good place to get you started. Some of their content can be pricy however if you are new to the field it’s worth the investment.
There is also a U.S. based organization called the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association. Their focus is obviously more U.S. based and they have some resources including state listings for state-based associations in your area. They recommend your education should start with this books and we’ve hyperlinked it to Amazon.com so you can quickly purchase it if you’re interested: Principles of Wildlife Rehabilitation
As we mentioned above, there are some specific federal regulations and licensing as well. In particular birds require a license from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in the form of a Federal Migratory Bird Rehabilitation Permit.
Wildlife rehabilitation can be a very rewarding and exciting avenue with lots of resources and support out there. Be sure to carefully research the laws and make sure your standards of care meet what’s required. Remember, it’s all about the animals.