Attention:
California Department of Fish and WildlifeWildlife Rehab Coordinator Heather.Perry@wildlife.ca.govConflict Programs Victoria Monroe Victoria.Monroe@Wildlife.ca.gov
Fish and Game Commission Comments on proposed regulations: fgc@fgc.ca.govEric Skylar pres. Fish and Game Commission https://wcb.ca.gov/About/Members#sklarCDFW Director Charlton H Bonham https://wildlife.ca.gov/DirectorGovernor Gavin Newsom https://www.gov.ca.gov/contact/
Where will you take injured and orphaned wildlife when rehabilitators are forced out !!
We are seeing rehabilitators leaving the profession! Wildlife is being confiscated and euthanized. DFW (Fish and Wildlife, Wardens) have recently been carrying out multiple individual inspections in Southern California that have left satellites (a person operating under the direction of a permitted facility), as well as new and well-respected permit holders, intimidated and traumatized. Animals are being confiscated, and citations and court dates are being issued for minor infractions. They are not given any time to address what is being called violations or the ability to explain circ*mstances. Wildlife rehabilitators give freely of their time, money, homes, and knowledge and are being treated as criminals.There are no City, State, or Federal Wildlife Rehabilitation facilities.
Since 1972, Wildlife Rehabilitators have been rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing native wildlife under the guidelines set forth by the professionals at the NWRA and IWRC. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, along with the California Commission of Fish and Game are now restructuring the system that has served the animals well for many years. Wildlife Rehabilitators are on the front lines for new and emerging diseases as well as outbreaks of endemic ones that not only protect wildlife but domestic animals as well.
Fish and Game Wardens are not rehabilitators. They have not spent years studying natural species-specific history, behavior, diet, wound care, and release criteria. These changes within the DFW will restrict current permit holders from using their knowledge as well as intimidating new potential permittees. Their new proposed changes will also make it more difficult for permit holders to recruit much-needed volunteers. All these changes will have a devastating effect on the public and wildlife.
Beginning in 2002, rehabilitators had communications and relationships with the DFW wardens. We worked together and received awards for our contributions, expertise, and sacrifice for our native wildlife. We were appreciated and it was felt. Today they are passing out citations and court dates. We have placed multiple calls to the department so we can understand why this is happening and have received no response or explanation.
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT! Native wildlife needs your voice, whether or not you have ever found an injured or orphaned wild animal, took the time to find help only to get passed around until you found a facility that could help with your animal. The pool of rehabilitators is very small and we can’t afford to lose any or make it too intimidating for new people to get involved.
A rehabilitator should not have to go to court because they couldn’t produce paperwork within a 10-minute time frame. We often intake dozens of animals in one day and our first priority is the animal which is to evaluate, stabilize, and treat the animals.
Historically, due in part to the intense urban growth and loss of native habitat the United States experienced in the 1970s, more people are coming into contact with wild animals in distress. In response, formal wildlife rehabilitation programs began forming.” Rehabilitation was conducted in homes by compassionate, but often untrained individuals.
Beginning in the 1960s and 1970s, environmental education centers, junior museums, and nature centers began rehabilitation relying largely on private support and volunteers. As they became more organized, they involved themselves in wildlife behavior, handling, management, nutrition, and restraint techniques. In addition to caring for the medical needs of wildlife, structured rehabilitation offers the important function of educating the community on wildlife and the environment. In 1972, a group of California rehabilitators formed the Wildlife Rehabilitation Council. In 1986, they became the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC). They are primarily providers of wildlife rehabilitation education in the U.S. and Canada, and worldwide, promoting networking and education through annual conferences, certified skills seminars, publications and an information hotline.
When the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA) was founded in 1982, the two organizations developed the NWRA/IWRC Wildlife Rehabilitation Minimum Standards & Accreditation Program detailing facility operations and wildlife care and housing. Those are the standards all Wildlife Rehabilitators operate under now.
Nowhere in the history of Wildlife Rehabilitation and caring for wildlife does it mention the Department of Fish and Game.
‘NWRA states that wildlife rehabilitation “has come a long way in a short time,” and that rehabilitation is the “treatment and temporary care of injured, diseased and displaced indigenous
wildlife and the subsequent return of healthy animals to appropriate habitats in the wild”; “promotes professionalism and encourages cooperation within environmental groups, governmental agencies, and communities.”
Source excerpts https://www.angelfire.com/nj/woundedknee/rehabhist.html
What we are asking is that you PLEASE sign the petition, call, write, email the DFW number above and let them know that you care about the health of California’s Native Wildlife and support and need rehabilitators.
Our Goal :
We need transparency from the DFGWe need to know our Law enforcement Wardens DFW Wardens need an education in what Wildlife Rehabilitation involvesA specific number of days to correct an infractionWe need written consequences for specific infractionsNot to be treated as criminalsInspections NOT InvestigationsRespect for our knowledge of the species we are rehabilitatingSupport and help to recruit more rehabilitators
We are on the front lines and in your backyards taking care of California’s Native Wildlife. And should be treated with respect. Join us!
”Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead
Anna Reams, started Rehabilitating 1994(Wildlife Care of Southern California)
Sharron Baird, 1996 (Squirrel Mender)
Nicky Thole, 1994 (Camarillo Wildlife)
Marcia Ryback, 2000 (Coast and Canyon)
