NY State Wildlife Rehabilitation Council

Virtual SongBird Seminar

March 23 & 24, 2024


NYSWRC is a nonprofit statewide organization that has been in existence for over 40 years. The goal of our membership-based organization is to promote professionalism in the field of wildlife rehabilitation and to provide wildlife rehabilitators with educational and technical support. NYSWRC (pronounced “Nice Work”) encourages a strong network within New York and across the country. Our board consists of volunteer wildlife rehabilitators from across the state who meet bi-monthly to keep abreast of current issues and to continue work on educational projects. The Council has grown significantly in both strength and numbers over the years. New York has the oldest statewide organization in the United States and has gained national recognition for its many accomplishments.

FIND A LICENSED WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR:

Animal Help Now

DEC list of rehabbers

We are excited to announce that, in addition to the general RVS licensing class, NYSWRC will now be offering an abridged certification course for those who only want their RVS Assistant License to be able to volunteer or work under Class II RVS rehabbers in Class RVS II facilities.  This Assistant RVS Licensing Class will be offered online multiple times a year and shouldn't take more than an hour to complete. Please contact NYSWRC's RVS Committee Chair Sarah Bookbinder at sarahbookbinder72@gmail.com to sign up or to learn more.

Note: Licensed RVS Assistants must be vaccinated against rabies. They are only licensed to work in Class II RVS facilities under the supervision of a Class II RVS rehabilitator and will not be licensed to work independently.

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photo by Laura College / Unsplash

Our Work

  • promoting the professionalism of licensed wildlife rehabilitators

  • giving rehabilitators the field support and educational services they need to appropriately care for distressed wildlife

  • providing wildlife rehabilitators with timely access to the latest technical information through a system of network support

  • working with governmental agencies to formulate better than adequate regulations concerning wildlife

  • disseminating educational material and information to NY state residents about distressed wildlife

  • and continually promoting the conservation of wildlife, their habitats, and other natural resources

Our Membership

Members consist of licensed wildlife rehabilitators and assistants, veterinarians, wildlife professionals, and other interested lay persons. We welcome your interest and participation!

NY’s bat release guidelines can be found here.

The USGS National Wildlife Health Center has released a pdf of important info including recommendations on PPE to protect wildlife.

NWRA’s Veterinary Committee released a statement on rehabbing North American bats during the SARS-CoV2/COVID-19 Pandemic. 

Animal Help Now has released some tips from fellow rehabilitators in dealing with both the public and wildlife.

The American Veterinary Association has released guidelines for use of PPE in times of scarcity.

The European Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians has updated their transmissible diseases handbook to include COVID-19.

COVID-19 and Wildlife

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photo by Paige Cody / Unsplash