Rescue Rules ?

[Wrasse]

I have found it interesting, while browsing posts, to see people offering rescues for adoption.

I realise the laws about rescue possibly vary from state to state in the US, but are there any blanket laws and what are they ?

When you refer to rescues, are you talking about domestic or wildlife rescues ? And do the rules change accordingly ?

I rescue wildlife in Australia. We have very strict guidelines and a licence is required. Any injured or ill wildlife that is taken into care by a rescuer, when well, has to be released back into the wild. It cannot be kept, unless it is shown to be unable to fend for itself, and even then, it's future is determined by Parks and Wildlife.

Wildlife rescues cannot be handled (other than to treat), bred from or sold on.

I currently have 6 Green Tree Snake eggs (probably not viable, but they are being given a chance, the mother was ripped apart by a dog and killed before they were laid), when and if the eggs hatch, the juveniles will have to be released back to the area they came from. I would, if they hatch, like to hang onto them for their first shed, but even holding them that long could get me in trouble.

I am curious to know how your laws differ on this subject. Or do you refer to Domestic rescues only when speaking of adoption ?

[Ed_r]

Here normally "rescue" means to take and unwanted or neglected pet and provide it with a better future.

Now ther are people that do wildlife rescues, and I do believe those are either state or federally regulated, I suppose depending on the type of animal.

[Ravnos]

I think a distinction needs to be made between rescue and adoption. Rescue meaning you take it, rehabilitate it, to make it available for adoption. Too many people use the word 'rescue' to sound more official or somehow more righteous, when they're really adopting. I wouldn't go to the SPCA, adopt a dog and then claim I rescued it. The 'rescuing' was done long before I got involved.

Every state to my knowledge has specific laws for doing native wildlife rescues. People need to be licensed by the state, some by the USDA... but it varies by species. In Texas one would need a license to rehabilitate say, raccoons, but not necessarily snakes... but if you have a rehabilitator's license, you can rehab endangered/threatened species like indigos. Most states have specific rules that wild life rescuers do have to follow, minimal human contact, release sites, and so forth.

Now, exotic rescues - they are for the most part unrestricted. Again, it can vary by animal and state. One can't just become a tiger rescue, they have to be permitted by the USDA... but where I live, I can rescue all the burmese pythons or iguanas I want without any issues.

Laws in the US vary a lot from state to state, county to county, city to city... anyone looking into that sort of thing needs to be careful and do their research.

Rav

[herp_chick]

Yes, we have strict wildlife laws here. The adoptions you see on this forum are animals that were abused, neglected, or unwanted. To be fair, some are from great homes with folks that are just no longer able to care for them. Some of us do "rescue", which means we take these animals in, and if necessary rehab them before placing them with a good home.

[Constrictor_BO]

To rescue/rehab wildlife here you need either a state liscense for mammals or state and federal liscense for migratory birds. All wildlife has to be returned to the wild once rehabbed and healthy. Any animal that cannot be released has to have a letter from a vet stating it is nonreleasable and have a permit issued to keep such animal from the wildlife commission.

I got to agree with rav on the distinction between adoption and rescue. It would not be a rescue to take in a animal that just needs to find a new home. If such animal is in bad health and needs rehabbed, then it is a rescue. I have taken in several snakes to assist in adopting out this year but didnt consider them as rescues.