What does the NYS wildlife rehabilitation license authorize a rehabilitator to do?

• A. Medicate an injured peregrine falcon
• B. Raise a fawn brought in by animal control officer for placement in a nature center
• C. Keep baby animals like raccoons for 2 years
• D. None of the above

Answer: (D)

The license to rehabilitate wildlife in New York is meant to authorize care for sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife with the goal of returning them to the wild. It does not grant the authority to medicate animals on your own—medications must be used under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian and typically within a veterinary-client-patient relationship. It also does not permit keeping wildlife for extended periods or using them for placement in a nature center beyond the rehabilitative process; species like deer fawns and other wildlife require proper permits and are intended to be released when they’re ready, not held for years. Keeping baby raccoons for two years would exceed the allowed rehabilitation timeframe. So, none of the described actions are solely authorized by the wildlife rehabilitation license.