Education
IWRC provides science-based educational resources for wildlife rehabilitators worldwide.
We strive to promote ethical standards for wildlife animal care across the globe.
Our courses are designed by professional rehabilitators for wildlife caretakers worldwide. We welcome individuals from any background and expertise level to explore our available courses. These courses range from beginner-friendly topics, such as our Foundations of Wildlife course, to more specialized topics such as Wound Management, Parasitology, and Fluid Therapy.
Am I Eligible To Take A Course In Wildlife Rehabilitation?
Yes! The IWRC aims to provide courses across all expertise levels to ensure that you gain the necessary background and specialized skillset needed to treat wild animals.
Prior to taking our more intensive courses, it is recommended to first take Foundations of Wildlife or a similar introductory course in wildlife rehabilitation to prepare you with the core knowledge you’ll need for more concentrated topics.
While we do offer our Foundations of Wildlife course to all expertise levels, we recommend students to have basic knowledge in biology, mathematics/basic calculations, and physiology. To learn more about these requirements, check out the course descriptions and reach out to any IWRC team member for more information.
We understand that starting formal training in wildlife rehabilitation may be daunting with the different licensing requirements varying by region and the diverse skillsets needed in this field. Our regional regulations guide can help you navigate these requirements.
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.
How Do I Sign Up For A Course?
IWRC offers both online and in-person courses across various timezones to accommodate our global community of rehabilitators. Most of our online courses are offered year-round and can be completed asynchronously. For in-person courses, you can always check our page or sign up for our newsletter to get notified when registration opens.
To sign up for a course, you simply need to register for the specific class you want on our website. Once you are prepared to sign up, you will be asked to confirm your payment and order any required lab or book materials for that course. If you have any questions during this process, please reach out to office@theiwrc.org for support.
We also provide discounted course rates for members which may be useful for those planning on long-term education with IWRC. Our courses cover a wide variety of topics to ensure that you build the diverse skillset you’ll need to formally become a wildlife rehabilitator. If you are just starting out, IWRC is a great place to gain holistic support across formal training, networking opportunities, and mentorship talks to deepen your understanding of wildlife beyond the classroom.
Interested in taking a course at IWRC? Reach out to our team today.
If you are interested in helping us host a class near you, click here to request more information on that process.