LDWF Wildlife Rehabilitation Basic Skills Course Registration Form

The 2019 LDWF Wildlife Rehabilitation Basic Skills Course will be held:

Saturday, September 14, 2019

NPS Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, Acadian Cultural Center

501 Fisher Road

Lafayette, LA 70508

8:30AM-5:30PM

Visit our program overview at http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/wildlife-rehabilitation-program Application packets will be mailed to each registrant. Anyone unable to register for the class is still encouraged to contact the Permits Office and request a Wildlife Rehabilitation Program application packet. Tthe packet contains all of the program information.

There is no fee or cost associated with the class. Our goal is to provide you with the most up-to-date wildlife rehabilitation information available at no cost to you. This means money can be saved for the animals!

No, but seating is limited; therefore, we ask that you register if you have an interest in wildlife rehabilitation in addition to a desire to pursue a wildlife rehabilitation license.

Registration will open August 1 and will end September 1 at noon. Once we reach 150 registrants, registration will close and no registration forms will be accepted via email or mail.

The best way to register is by using the form above OR you may print and email or mail the registration form to mcollins@wlf.la.gov

Contact us by email immediately: mcollins@wlf.la.gov so that we can offer your seat to someone on the waiting list.

You must contact the Permits Office (225-765-8584) if you wish to be placed on the waiting list. We will maintain a waiting list until Sept. 9. Registered participants will be reminded of the class and will be asked to confirm their presence two weeks prior to the class day. As soon as an individual removes him/herself from the list of registrants, we will notify the next person on the waiting list. Last year, many folks canceled allowing us to invite everyone who requested to be present. You may even be asked to fill a vacancy 1 or 2 days before the class.

Individuals who wish to begin hands on training now may do so only after LDWF has received a completed and signed subpermittee form by the nearest LDWF licensed wildlife rehabilitator the individual will train under.   LDWF licensed wildlife rehabilitators who allow individuals to temporarily care for wildlife away from the LDWF licensed wildlife rehabilitator’s facility shall complete a subpermittee form (after they are familiar with you, your skills and your level of responsibility and your goals) which will allow you to accept only NON-RABIES VECTOR species from the supervising LDWF licensed wildlife rehabilitator ONLY to your home/facility to rehabilitate. Subpermittees are NOT licensed wildlife rehabilitators and shall not misrepresent themselves as such nor shall a subpermittee intake wildlife from any individual other than the supervising LDWF licensed wildlife rehabilitator.  Please be aware: LDWF and the licensed wildlife rehabilitator have complete control over any non-rabies vector species you are allowed to temporarily care for away from the licensed rehabilitator’s facility. If the LDWF licensed wildlife rehabilitator or LDWF requests the animal(s) be returned, you shall comply. (YOU SHALL NOT BE IN POSSESSION OF RABIES VECTOR SPECIES AS A SUBPERMITTEE; rabies vector species are: coyotes, skunks, raccoons, bats and foxes)

No, you should bring a sweater in case you get cold, snacks, beverages, and lunch. No microwave will be provided. Several fast food restaurants are 5-10 mins from the Acadian Cultural Center. Lunch is 1 hour from 12:15PM-1:15PM. The class will resume promptly at 1:15PM; two 15 minute breaks will be given as well-mid-morning and mid-afternoon.

YES, you must be present for the entire class to receive credit.

No, unless they are 18 or older AND are registered for the class. Seating is limited.

No, only service dogs are allowed on State/Federal property and buildings.

Seating is limited AND the class is required for any individual who wishes to pursue their license. We encourage those who will actually pursue the license to attend and those who are not interested in pursuing the license to reconsider. The Permits Office has two goals: recruit rehabbers and educate those who wish to pursue the license. If you are attending to determine whether wildlife rehabilitation is for you or not, the Permits Office will provide you with a license application packet. We also encourage you to experience wildlife rehabilitation first hand by volunteering with your nearest licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Please contact our office so that we can provide you with a list of licensed individuals in your area.

Seating is limited AND the class is required for any individual who wishes to pursue their license. We encourage those who will actually pursue the license to attend and those who are not interested in pursuing the license to reconsider. The Permits Office has two goals: recruit rehabbers and educate those who wish to pursue the license. If you are attending to determine whether wildlife rehabilitation is for you or not, the Permits Office will provide you with a license application packet. We also encourage you to experience wildlife rehabilitation first hand by volunteering with your nearest licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Please contact our office so that we can provide you with a list of licensed individuals in your area.

No. In fact, applications will NOT be accepted at the class. After you complete the class, you have 365 days from the date of the class to submit your complete wildlife rehabilitation application. If you do not submit a complete application within 365 days from Sept. 14, 2019 (by close of business September 14, 2020), you will be required to retake the class. Please be aware incomplete applications will not be accepted and will be returned the applicant.

After you complete the class, you have 365 days from the date of the class to submit your complete wildlife rehabilitation application. If you do not submit a complete application within 365 days from Sept. 14, 2019 (by close of business Sept. 14, 2020), you will be required to retake the class. Please be aware incomplete applications will not be accepted and will be returned the applicant.

Working with a licensed rehabber allows you to obtain the necessary knowledge and skills and demonstrate your sense of responsibility and ability to properly rehabilitate wildlife. Demonstration of your knowledge, skills, ability and responsibility should lead to a letter of recommendation (which is required to apply for the wildlife rehab license). While there is no set time limit on how long you must be a subpermittee, working with a rehabber over a six-month period often exposes you to all stages of wildlife growth and development and release of said wildlife. You should be competent in all stages of wildlife rehabilitation including release.

Individuals should contact the veterinarian(s) in your area with whom you are familiar and have an established relationship and will treat any wildlife in your care. Often individuals use their pet veterinarian. Your veterinarian shall provide you with a letter on his/her business letterhead stating he/she is willing to treat any wildlife you accept under your future wildlife rehabilitation license.

No! The wildlife rehabilitation class fulfills only 1 requirement among many. You will receive a certificate of class completion; however, the certificate will state it is NOT a license to rehabilitate wildlife. An actual wildlife rehabilitation license looks very different.

Any wildlife that cannot be released must be euthanized by your veterinarian. It is illegal to possess wildlife as a pet. NO PERMIT EXISTS nor will any permit be issued for such activity.

LEAVE THOSE SPECIES EXACTLY WHERE THEY ARE AND CALL LDWF immediately!!! You shall not possess or rehabilitate any of these animals. You risk losing your wildlife rehab license and receiving major wildlife citations for such possessions or activity.

Majority of the class is geared toward mammals because few folks have an interest in birds and few pursue the additional required federal permit. However, you should attend if you wish to pursue your wildlife rehabilitation license as this class is a requirement. In addition, we will connect you with a Federally licensed wildlife rehabilitator in Louisiana so you can begin training as soon as possible. Please be aware the Federal license requires ~100 hours (or more; see Federal regulations) of documented volunteer hours working with avian fauna.

Forming a relationship with your Veterinarian, Triage, Nutrition, Caging/Enclosure requirements, Regulations and Ethics, Zoonosis, and Wildlife Restraint

Your facility is the place where you choose rehabilitate wildlife. It can be an outbuilding, converted garage, shed, laundry room, fenced area with cages/enclosures, etc. so long as your caging and enclosures meet the minimum requirements, is separate from your domestic animals, can be secured and cannot be accessed or viewed by the public AND anyone younger than 18.