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69238
There is one thing I'd like to note... there is a difference between a wildlife rehabilitator and a rescuer. I'm sure its pretty clear, but I would like to draw a line in the sand just to make sure people understand.
Wildlife rehabbers work with native wild animals, and then return them to the wild unless they are unreleasable. Most states require a person to have a permit to do wildlife rescue/rehab. Which is a process that involves inspection of your facilities by state parks & wildlife officials, and a yearly fee for the license - something in the range of 70 dollars. They make sure you know what you are doing before they will even issue a license. If you do not have this license, keeping native wild species is limited as per a state hunting license. Which in Texas, for instance, is no more than 25 native animals. 10 of a single species maximum. Every state has a particular law of this caliber, some are much more strict than others. So if you are collecting native species, you had better make sure you're inside the bag limit. Even if you bought the animal at a pet store, or 'rescued' it from JoeBob down the street, if you can't prove it was captive born with a notarized document, its the same as if you caught it in the wild and falls under the hunting limitations.
Rescuers/Animal Rescue Groups, etal, take in unwanted pets - generally non-native species - and give them new homes - either under their own rooves as most of the more dedicated rescuers or by adopting them out as many organizations do. In most states, anyone can do this. Which means you don't have to be the least bit qualified, you just have to have someone willing to give you an animal. Some states do require you to have a permit to run any sort of animal rescue or adoption agency, like Illinois. One thing I feel inclined to mention is that federal law DOES require you to claim any money you take in from rescue adoption fees as income unless you are a registered non-profit organization with the IRS. Which means you -must- keep meticulous records, going back at least 7 years. Assuming you last that long in pet rescue.
The morality is different for each. Wildlife rehabbers have to realize that the animals are wild, they deserve to be in the wild, and if they are able to be, that is where they should be. Rescuers have to realize that animals are not a commodity to be shuffled around, they are not a status symbol to see how many you can hustle through you doors. In both cases, experience, knowledge, the drive to continously further that knowledge, and the simple caring and sense to do what is in the best interest of the animal - regardless of yourself and your ego - are necessary. In the long run, it is we, as those of have pledged to be care takers of these animals, these beings who cannot stand up for their own rights, who must be the ones to stare at ourselves and realize what we are doing and take responsibility for our actions. If you can't get past your ego to do what is best for the animals, you probably should not have any.
Oh well... got way off track, but the whole issue is just something I feel rather strongly about.
Rav
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The darkness might conquer, but it can never extinguish hope. And though one candle, or many, might flicker and die, new candles will be lit from the old. Thus hope's flame always burns, lighting the darkness until the coming of day.
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