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Why Rehabilitation?

Wildlife rehabilitation is more than just "taking care of wild critters." It involves medical examinations, diagnosing, medicating, feeding, husbandry, physical therapy, and pre-release conditioning of injured, orphaned and diseased wildlife, with the ultimate goal of releasing each into its natural habitat.

In conservation terms, rehabilitation work has little significance; the values of our work will not be clearly seen for many years to come. The majority of the animals species treated and released are not endangered. Many skeptics and critics say, "Why rehabilitate? Why not just let nature take its course?"

Most of the animals received at rehabilitation centers are sick, injured or orphaned not because of natural causes, but because of accidental or intentional (and frequently preventable) human intervention. For the injured bird or mammal that finds its way to a rehabilitator, whether it receives a chance at life or a rapid end to its pain, the rehabber does make a difference. In addition, any activity that helps restore or maintain the balance of nature ultimately benefits all plant and animal species, including us.

Permitted, trained wildlife rehabilitators provide a valuable link between concerned individuals and local, state and national organizations desiring both to return animals to the wild, and to cooperate to reduce negative human impact on wildlife and the environment.

Public education is a large part of rehabilitation, exposing children and adults to a responsible attitude toward all living things. Some rehabilitators are even involved with research, captive breeding programs, and law writing and habitat preservation for species of special concern.

FWRA is becoming a network of professional wildlife rehabilitators in the State of Florida to share information and support.