About Us
About Us
IWRC provides evidence-based educational resources and strives to raise ethical standards for wildlife care worldwide.
Wildlife Rehabilitation is a crucial aspect of animal conservation and general ecological welfare. Rehabbers provide temporary care for injured, sick, or orphaned wildlife with the goal of releasing these animals back into their homes.
We believe in using science-based education and research to assess our impact on the environment and provide high quality care to impacted wildlife. Our goal is to support sustainable and humane human-wildlife coexistence and improve the lives of all species–starting with the proper rehabilitation and release of harmed wild animals.
IWRC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the United States and provides courses for Wildlife Rehabilitation across all expertise levels. We welcome people from all backgrounds to explore a future in wildlife care.
In addition to courses, IWRC also provides resources for practicing rehabilitators including our peer-reviewed Journal and Standards for Wildlife Rehabilitation. We believe in uniting the efforts of wildlife rehabilitators, veterinarians, educators, and researchers to foster a community of people dedicated to advancing wildlife care.
Our History
A History of Improving Wildlife Care Worldwide
The International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC) was founded in 1972 in California, USA by individuals concerned about the care and conservation of native wildlife.
In the 1970s, the United States experienced a surge of interest from the public in rescuing wild animals in distress. Due in part to rapid urban growth and the loss of native habitat, more and more people came into contact with injured and orphaned wild animals. Although driven by compassion to intervene, many people did not know how to safely interact with these animals. This posed danger to both humans and wildlife, amplifying the need for more structured wildlife rehabilitation policies and programs.
Formal wildlife rehabilitation programs began forming in response to these changes to human-wildlife relationships and the growing conservation movement. Despite increasing in number, isolation and an initial lack of professional standards and support networks held these programs back.
To address this need, the IWRC founders created a professional association where wildlife rehabilitators can access reliable, science-based information and share resources to improve the quality of care provided to injured wild animals.
As of 2025, the IWRC has expanded beyond its roots in California to include members across 50 countries, supporting an estimated 12,000 wildlife rehabilitators with training and resources.
What is Wildlife Rehabilitation?
Wildlife Rehabilitation plays a vital role in environmental protection, human safety, and responsible natural resource management. Rehabilitators provide temporary care for injured, sick, or orphaned wildlife with the goal of releasing these animals back into their homes. The vast majority of animals admitted into rehabilitation centers have been harmed or displaced as a result of human activity, such as traffic collisions, window strikes, and habitat destruction. Thus, wildlife rehabilitation is a crucial part of a compassionate and practical conservation plan to address the welfare and suffering of harmed animals.
In addition, animals released after rehabilitation have been shown to have a positive impact on wild populations. Beyond caring for wildlife, rehabilitators educate the public on wildlife issues, reduce unnecessary interventions, provide insight into the health of wild populations, and minimize unsafe interactions between untrained people and wildlife.
While these benefits are compelling, wildlife rehabilitation is not without risk. Untrained or misinformed care puts animals, people, and ecosystems in danger. Wild animals require specific treatment and specialized knowledge to adapt to a captive environment and survive after release.
Proper training and equipment is necessary to keep both rehabilitators and animals safe from injury and the spread of disease. Death, suffering, and permanent injury are very real consequences of improper care. In addition, improper release can lead to overpopulation, transmission of diseases, and behavioral conflicts between wildlife and people.
Professional Certification and/or formal training in Wildlife Rehabilitation is essential to ensure proper care. Beyond providing rehabbers with the technical skillset and specialized knowledge to deal with specific cases, a standard practice of care ensures that wildlife animals are released back into their habitat with the ability to survive.
Wildlife Rehabilitators need to understand the natural history, physiology, and nutritional needs of each species they work with. Rehabilitators must also have basic medical training, including initial assessment, fluid therapy, and wound management skills. They also require close partnership with a veterinarian. For successful release, rehabilitators also need to understand the ecology of potential release sites and the requirements for each animal’s survival.
Rehabilitators also serve as wildlife experts within their communities. They offer advice and guidance relating to wildlife coexistence, tolerance, and safety. It is crucial for wildlife rehabilitators to be well-educated advocates, both for the animals in their care and to prevent future harm to wildlife.
How Can I Help?
Wildlife Rehabilitation is made possible by the combined efforts of many driven individuals. Some are paid and work for larger nonprofit organizations, but many are self-funded or entirely volunteer. Veterinarians, educators, policy advocates, and researchers all fill critical roles in the field of wildlife rehabilitation. In addition to animal care, rehabilitation programs require administration, volunteer management, accounting, and facility support, among many other skills, to operate effectively. Wildlife rehabilitation is a massive undertaking, and people with so many different skill sets are needed. There is space for you!
As wildlife rehabilitators face challenges across funding, volunteer shortages, and lack of support from policy makers–the future of environmental conservation highlights the need for unity in today’s movement. Whether or not you have experience working with wildlife, the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council encourages you to get involved in our growing field and explore the following resources.
For current wildlife rehabilitators.
We offer meaningful connections and support through our membership package. Check out the Journal of Wildlife Rehabilitation to keep up-to-date with wildlife rehabilitation research. Consider obtaining your Professional Certification. The Certification program is made by rehabilitators, for rehabilitators; it demonstrates an individual’s commitment to ethical, evidence-based practices and provides independent verification of your academic achievements and hands-on experience. We also offer free Continuing Education, best practices and position statements on a variety of topics, and shareable resources for social media.
For students and early-career professionals.
Consider getting started with our Foundations of Wildlife Rehabilitation course. New classes are announced each spring and fall. Learn more about regional regulations in your area, or check out our members directory to find a mentor near you. Have other questions? Our office is available to help you navigate your transition into a career in wildlife rehabilitation. Feel free to contact us at office@theiwrc.org. We’re always happy to help!
For professional workers across all related industries.
Please feel free to check out our Bulletin Board for insight into potential jobs across research and management for Wildlife Rehabilitation. Your support is vital to our community, and working in this mission-driven field can be a meaningful achievement in one’s career.