Becoming A Rehabilitator

We highly recommend you begin the process by volunteering with a local Wildlife Rehabilitator. Most people volunteer for 2 years before applying for their own permits.

You must first determine your ability to supply a place to work (in your home or another building), the time necessary for caring for the animals and the funding for food, supplies, caging and veterinary care.

To apply for a permit, call the PA Game Commission regional office in your area or the PGC law enforcement office in Harrisburg and ask for an application.

You need to have a veterinarian who is willing to work with you. Talk to your veterinarian about your goals and see how involved or supportive they are willing to be.

You also must be sponsored by another Wildlife Rehabilitator (if there is one near you). This is extremely important, because the rehabilitator will be of greatest value in educating you on rehabilitation techniques and practices.

After passing a written exam, you meet with the Wildlife Rehabilitation Council for a short interview.

Most people apply for non-profit status, then tax-deductible status and sales tax exemption in order to encourage the donations necessary to fund their efforts. There is no state or federal funding for rehabilitation.

Additional Requirements

Every two years you must attend a wildlife rehabilitation workshop or conference in order to keep your permit active. Yearly workshops are made available by the Wildlife Rehabilitation Council and the PA Game Commission. Classes are also available through other states and national and international organizations.

Contact Information

Find a rehabilitator near You
PA Association of Wildlife Rehabilitators

Pennsylvania Game Commission
Bureau of Law Enforcement
2001 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797
(717) 783-8164
http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/

NORTHEAST REGION
(Bradford, Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Montour, Northumberland, Pike, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming Counties)
(570) 675-1143

SOUTHEAST REGION
(Berks, Bucks, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Schuylkill and York Counties)
(610) 926-3136

NORTHCENTRAL REGION
(Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Tioga and Union Counties)
(570) 398-4744

SOUTHCENTRAL REGION
(Adams, Bedford, Blair, Cumberland, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin, Perry and Snyder Counties)
(814) 643-1831

NORTHWEST REGION
(Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango and Warren Counties)
(814) 432-3187

SOUTHWEST REGION
(Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland Counties)
(724) 238-9523