Wildlife Rehabilitation Veterinary Care and Compliance Checklist
Wildlife rehabilitation involves regulatory requirements, significant zoonotic risks, and ethical treatment standards. This checklist ensures compliance with state and federal wildlife regulations and staff safety.
- Industry: Veterinary
- Frequency: Weekly
- Estimated Time: 20-25 minutes
- Role: Wildlife Rehabilitation Veterinarian / Coordinator
- Total Items: 36
Permits and Regulatory Compliance
Verify all required permits are current.
- State wildlife rehabilitation permit current?
- USFWS Special Purpose - Salvage or Migratory Bird permit current?
- Only species permitted by state and federal permits accepted?
- Eagles, raptors, and listed species only treated with appropriate federal permits?
- Permit records accessible and copies posted in facility?
- Annual reporting to state wildlife agency completed per permit?
Rabies Vector Species Protocol
Verify rabies precautions for high-risk wildlife.
- Rabies vector species identified at intake: raccoons, skunks, foxes, bats, coyotes?
- RVS handled only by rabies-vaccinated personnel with titer confirmed?
- No direct contact with RVS without heavy gloves and protective clothing?
- Bat exposure protocol followed: any skin contact considered potential exposure?
- State wildlife agency authorization for RVS rehabilitation obtained?
- Staff know to report any potential rabies exposure immediately?
Wildlife Intake Assessment
Conduct intake assessment of admitted wildlife.
- Intake form completed with finder info, species, and rescue location?
- Triage assessment completed: body condition, injuries, neurological status?
- Non-releasable animals identified and options (placement, euthanasia) determined?
- Prognosis documented: fair, guarded, or poor?
- State-required intake records completed?
- Admission photograph taken for medical records?
Zoonotic Disease PPE
Verify PPE for wildlife zoonotic risks.
- Gloves worn when handling all wildlife species?
- N95 respirator worn for birds with respiratory signs (avian flu risk)?
- All staff working with RVS have current rabies vaccination with confirmed titers?
- Thorough handwashing after handling every animal?
- Staff tetanus vaccination current (every 10 years or after deep wound)?
- N95 and gloves used when cleaning rodent enclosures (hantavirus risk)?
Animal Housing and Release Standards
Verify housing and release standards.
- Prey and predator species housed separately?
- Minimum human contact maintained to preserve wild character for release?
- Flight conditioning cages available for birds before release?
- Pre-release assessment documenting fitness for survival?
- Release in appropriate habitat documented with location and date?
- Annual outcomes reported to state wildlife agency (intakes, releases, deaths)?
Documentation
Maintain required wildlife rehabilitation documentation.
- Medical records for each animal: treatments, medications, and outcomes?
- Controlled substance use in wildlife documented in DEA log?
- State-required wildlife rehabilitation records retained per regulations?
- Any animal bite, scratch, or exposure incidents documented?
- Annual state report submitted by required deadline?
- Permit renewal applications submitted before expiration?
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Why Use This Wildlife Rehabilitation Veterinary Care and Compliance Checklist?
This wildlife rehabilitation veterinary care and compliance checklist helps veterinary teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for wildlife rehabilitation veterinarian / coordinator professionals, this checklist covers 36 critical inspection points across 6 sections. Recommended frequency: weekly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Wildlife Rehabilitation Veterinary Care and Compliance Checklist cover?
This checklist covers 36 inspection items across 6 sections: Permits and Regulatory Compliance, Rabies Vector Species Protocol, Wildlife Intake Assessment, Zoonotic Disease PPE, Animal Housing and Release Standards, Documentation. It is designed for veterinary operations and compliance.
How often should this checklist be completed?
This checklist should be completed weekly. Each completion takes approximately 20-25 minutes.
Who should use this Wildlife Rehabilitation Veterinary Care and Compliance Checklist?
This checklist is designed for Wildlife Rehabilitation Veterinarian / Coordinator professionals in the veterinary industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.
Can I download this checklist as a PDF?
Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.