NR 19.72 Note
Note: Birds held under falconry licensing are private property, do not meet the definition of “wild animal” per s.
169.01 (30m), Stats., and thus care and treatment is not authorized per wildlife rehabilitation licensing authority.
NR 19.72(5)
(5) This license does not exempt the licensee from local ordinances that apply to activities authorized by this license.
NR 19.72(6)
(6) This license does not authorize the practice of veterinary medicine as defined in s.
89.02 (6), Stats.
NR 19.72(7)
(7) The licensee shall display his or her license to department agents or other law enforcement agents upon request.
NR 19.72(8)
(8) Any costs incurred by the licensee for wildlife rehabilitation activities shall be the responsibility of the licensee.
NR 19.72(9)
(9) Unless specifically authorized by the department for educational purposes, no person may place wildlife being rehabilitated on public exhibit, in ways that may lead to inappropriate imprinting, socialization, habituation or stress.
NR 19.72(10)
(10) Wildlife being rehabilitated may not be transported outside Wisconsin for release or any other purpose unless the licensee has verbal, or written, permission from the department and possesses a wildlife rehabilitation license pursuant to this subchapter.
NR 19.72(11)
(11) No person may import or accept wildlife for rehabilitation from outside Wisconsin unless he or she has verbal, or written, permission from the department and possesses a wildlife rehabilitation license pursuant to this subchapter.
NR 19.73(1)(a)
(a) Requirements. No person may rehabilitate wildlife unless he or she possesses a valid license pursuant to s.
169.24, Stats.
NR 19.73(1)(b)
(b)
Transferability. A rehabilitation license is not transferable.
NR 19.73(1)(c)
(c)
Reporting. The licensee shall notify the department within 7 days of any change of name, address, telephone number, associated federal permit status, substantial changes to facility, a decision to discontinue as a sponsor or wildlife rehabilitation activities before license expiration.
NR 19.73(1)(d)
(d)
Species. The department shall list on the license the species authorized for rehabilitation by a basic or an advanced licensee.
NR 19.73(1)(e)
(e)
Species additions. No person may have a species added to their license unless all of the following have occurred:
NR 19.73(1)(e)1.
1. The licensee has submitted to the department a caging report as required under s.
NR 19.76 (2m), pictures of pens and enclosures, and documentation indicating the licensee-s rehabilitation experience and knowledge with the new species. For migratory birds, experience and knowledge with the new species shall include at least 100 hours of hands-on experience gained within at least one whole year and 20 of those hours may be fulfilled by participation in seminars or courses relating to the new species. For species which are not migratory birds, the department may establish that less experience and knowledge is needed. The department may require that licensees demonstrate specific experience and knowledge of species that it determines to be sensitive or difficult to rehabilitate.
NR 19.73(1)(e)3.
3. An additional facility inspection to determine compliance with standards established under s.
NR 19.77 has been conducted if the department has determined such an inspection is necessary.
NR 19.73(1)(e)4.
4. For a basic licensee modification, the licensee possesses a sponsorship agreement with an advanced licensee.
NR 19.73(2)(a)(a)
Requirements. An applicant for a basic license shall meet all of the following requirements:
NR 19.73(2)(a)1.
1. Possess a signed sponsorship agreement stating an advanced licensee is willing to mentor the applicant's wildlife rehabilitation activities.
NR 19.73(2)(a)1m.
1m. Submit a completed license application that describes prior wildlife rehabilitation and animal care experience to the department.
NR 19.73(2)(a)2.
2. Possess a signed consulting veterinarian agreement stating a veterinarian, licensed to practice in Wisconsin or state of residence, is willing to consult and assist with care and treatment of wildlife being rehabilitated.
NR 19.73(2)(a)4.
4. Allow an inspection of facilities to assure that the applicant's facilities meet the requirements of s.
NR 19.77.
NR 19.73(2)(b)
(b)
Restrictions. Basic licensees may not possess any of the following:
NR 19.73(2)(b)1.
1. Federal migratory birds or federal or state endangered or threatened species unless authorized by appropriate federal permit and state approval added to the licensee's rehabilitation license.
NR 19.73(2)(b)2.
2. Mammals belonging to the family cervidae (deer, elk, and moose) or other harmful wild animals designated under s.
169.11, Stats.
NR 19.73(2)(b)3.
3. Species of bird belonging to the order ciconiformes (vultures, bitterns and herons), falconiformes (hawks, eagles, harriers, osprey, kites and falcons) with the exception of American kestrel, the order Strigiformes (all owls), with the exception of saw-whet and screech owls or the families gruidae (cranes) or gavidae (loons).
NR 19.73(2)(c)
(c)
Euthanasia. Euthanasia may only be performed under direct supervision of the sponsoring advanced licensee or consulting veterinarian.
NR 19.73(2)(d)
(d)
Volunteers. Volunteers may assist basic licensees with the rehabilitation of wildlife if all of the following requirements are met:
NR 19.73(2)(d)1.
1. Basic licensees have completed one full year of licensed wildlife rehabilitation before volunteers may be authorized to assist with wildlife rehabilitation activities.
NR 19.73(2)(d)2.
2. All volunteer information including name, address, and telephone number has been provided to the department by the licensee.
NR 19.73(2)(d)3.
3. The department is notified quarterly, by the licensee, of any changes to their list of volunteers and any changes in contact information of the licensee's volunteers.
NR 19.73(2)(d)4.
4. Volunteers only provide basic care to species identified on the basic license.
NR 19.73(2)(d)5.
5. Volunteers only operate at the facility of the licensee and under the direct supervision of the basic licensee.
NR 19.73(2)(d)6.
6. Licensees accept responsibility for the actions and activities of volunteers and shall be responsible for any violations by volunteers in violation of this chapter or ch.
169, Stats.
NR 19.73(2)(e)
(e)
Subpermittees. A basic license holder shall not list subpermittees on the license holder's license.
NR 19.73(3)(a)(a)
Requirements. Applicants shall meet all of the following requirements:
NR 19.73(3)(a)1.
1. Possess a basic evaluation form signed by the applicant's advanced licensee sponsor stating that the applicant has been a licensed basic rehabilitator for a minimum of 2 years and has satisfactorily engaged in the practice of wildlife rehabilitation.
NR 19.73(3)(a)1m.
1m. Submit a completed license application form that describes prior wildlife rehabilitation experience to the department.
NR 19.73(3)(a)2.
2. Possess a signed consulting veterinarian form stating a veterinarian, licensed to practice in Wisconsin or licensee's state of residence, is willing to consult and assist with care and treatment of wildlife being rehabilitated.
NR 19.73(3)(a)3.
3. Allow an inspection of facilities to assure that the applicant's facilities meet the requirements of s.
NR 19.77.
NR 19.73(3)(b)
(b)
Restrictions. Advanced licensees may not possess any of the following:
NR 19.73(3)(b)2.
2. Federal migratory birds or federal or state endangered or threatened species unless authorized by the appropriate federal permit and state approval added to the licensee's rehabilitation license.
NR 19.73(3)(c)
(c)
Euthanasia. Euthanasia may be performed by the advanced licensee or consulting veterinarian.
NR 19.73 Note
Note: Injectable euthanasia requires a controlled substances special use authorization (SUA). Reference the State of Wisconsin Controlled Substances Board information.
NR 19.73(3)(d)
(d)
Volunteers. Volunteers may assist advanced licensees with the rehabilitation of wildlife if all of the following requirements are met:
NR 19.73(3)(d)1.
1. All volunteer information including name, address, and telephone number has been provided to the department by the licensee.
NR 19.73(3)(d)2.
2. The department is notified quarterly, by the licensee, of any changes to the licensee's list of volunteers and any changes in contact information of their volunteers.
NR 19.73(3)(d)3.
3. Volunteers only provide basic care to species identified on the advanced license.
NR 19.73(3)(d)4.
4. Volunteers only operate at the facility of the licensee and under the direct or indirect supervision of the advanced licensee.
NR 19.73(3)(d)5.
5. Licensees accept responsibility for the actions and activities of volunteers and shall be responsible for any violations by volunteers in violation of this chapter or ch.
169 Stats.
NR 19.73(3)(e)
(e)
Subpermittees. Subpermittees may be authorized to assist with the rehabilitation of wildlife in a limited capacity under the authority of an advanced licensee's license and subject to the restrictions of basic licensees under sub.
(2) if all of the following requirements are met:
NR 19.73(3)(e)1.
1. Subpermittees may only admit animals directly from the advanced licensee.
NR 19.73(3)(e)2.
2. No subpermittee may perform euthanasia or advanced medical treatments or procedures.
NR 19.73(3)(e)3.
3. All subpermittee information including name, address, and telephone number has been provided to the department.
NR 19.73(3)(e)4.
4. Advanced licensees notify the department quarterly of any changes to their lists of subpermittees and any changes in contact information of their subpermittees.
NR 19.73(3)(e)5.
5. Subpermittees are listed on all of the advanced licensee's permits and licenses by the species for which the subpermittees provide rehabilitation care.
NR 19.73(3)(e)6.
6. Subpermittees operating at a location other than the advanced licensee's facility retain a copy of the advanced licensee's license, which shall be provided to a department agent upon request.
NR 19.73(3)(e)7.
7. Advanced licensees accept responsibility for the actions and activities of their subpermittees and shall be responsible for any violations incurred of this subchapter or ch.
169, Stats.
NR 19.73(3)(e)8.
8. Advanced licensees that utilize subpermittees who operate at a location other than the advanced licensee's facility shall be responsible for establishing that subpermittees' facilities meet the standards established in s.
NR 19.77.
NR 19.73(3)(e)9.
9. Subpermittees operating at locations other than the advanced licensee's facility submit, to both the advanced licensee and the department, caging reports and pictures of every rehabilitation pen and enclosure at their locations.
NR 19.73(3)(e)10.
10. Subpermittees who operate at a location other than the advanced licensee's facility are located no more than 60 miles from the main facility of the advanced licensee.
NR 19.73 History
History: CR 03-029: cr.
Register December 2003 No. 576, eff. 1-1-04;
CR 08-021: am. (3) (a) (intro.), r. (3) (e)
Register November 2008 No. 635, eff. 12-1-08;
CR 09-024: renum. (3) (a) 4. to be (3) (a) 3.
Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10;
CR 15-054: cr. (1) (d), (e), (2) (a) 1m., r. and recr. (2) (d), cr. (2) (e), cr. (3) (a) 1m., 2m., r. and recr. (3) (d), cr. (3) (e)
Register July 2018 No. 751, eff. 8-1-18; correction in (3) (e) 6. made under s.
35.17, Stats.,
Register July 2018 No. 751;
CR 19-146: am. (1) (e) 1., (2) (b) 1., (3) (b) 2.
Register June 2020 No. 774, eff. 7-1-20.
NR 19.74(1)(1)
General. A person desiring to rehabilitate wildlife in Wisconsin shall submit all of the following information required by the department on an application form supplied by the department:
NR 19.74(1)(a)
(a) A signed consulting veterinarian agreement from a veterinarian who is willing to consult with the applicant and assist the applicant with care and treatment of wild animals being rehabilitated and who is in compliance with the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act of 1994.
NR 19.74(1)(b)
(b) For basic licenses, a signed sponsorship agreement from an advanced licensee who has agreed to sponsor the basic applicant.
NR 19.74(1)(c)
(c) For an advanced license applicant, a signed evaluation form from the advanced sponsor and consulting veterinarian which indicates compliance with s.
NR 19.73 (3).
NR 19.74(1)(d)
(d) Certification that the applicant has read and understands this subchapter and the code of ethics and that the applicant agrees to comply with all provisions of this subchapter and the code of ethics.
NR 19.74(1)(e)
(e) Written assurance from the applicant that the facility is in compliance with local ordinances and zoning regulations.
NR 19.74(2)
(2)
Outstate. The department may issue the appropriate rehabilitation license to an individual possessing a valid rehabilitators license or permit from another state or province, provided that the minimum requirements of the basic or advanced rehabilitators licenses described in this subchapter are met. Applicants shall satisfy all of the following criteria:
NR 19.74(2)(b)
(b) Possess a signed consulting veterinarian agreement from a veterinarian who is willing to consult with the applicant and assist the applicant with care and treatment of wildlife being rehabilitated.
NR 19.74(2)(c)
(c) Possess a signed letter of recommendation from a consulting veterinarian and a currently licensed rehabilitator, previous or current sponsor, current employer, or other individual which indicates compliance with s.
NR 19.73 (2) or
(3). A letter of recommendation shall include and reference specific training and experiences comparable to information on a basic level evaluation form.
NR 19.74(2)(d)
(d) Sign a certification that the applicant has read and understands this subchapter and that the applicant agrees to comply with all provisions of this subchapter.
NR 19.74(2)(e)
(e) Allow an inspection of facilities to assure that the applicant's facilities meet the requirements of s.
NR 19.77.
NR 19.74(3)
(3)
License renewal. An applicant for renewal of any rehabilitation license shall submit proof of having obtained at least one continuing education credit during the preceding license period. Qualifying continuing education credits are:
NR 19.74(3)(a)
(a) National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association, International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, or Wisconsin Wildlife Rehabilitator's Association workshops, classes, or conferences.
NR 19.74(3)(b)
(b) Participation in a research project, coursework, specialized rehabilitation care, or other activities, workshops, classes, or conferences which have been approved by the department.
NR 19.74 Note
Note: Wildlife rehabilitation application, evaluation form, sponsorship agreement, veterinary agreements, and the code of ethics will be available at
http://dnr.wi.gov/ or upon request at DNR Service Centers, by writing the Bureau of Wildlife Management, PO Box 7921, 101 S. Webster St., Madison, WI 53707-7921 or by calling 1-888-936-7463.
NR 19.74 History
History: CR 03-029: cr.
Register December 2003 No. 576, eff. 1-1-04;
CR 15-054: am. (1) (a), (b), (d), cr. (1) (e), renum. (2) to (2) (intro.) and am., cr. (2) (a) to (e), (3)
Register July 2018 No. 751, eff. 8-1-18; (1) (title) and (2) (title) created under s.
13.92 (4) (b) 2., Stats.,
Register July 2018 No. 751.
