NR 19.77(1)(1)
General operating standards. Prior to engaging in wildlife rehabilitation activities, protocols for disease prevention and transmission, euthanasia, pharmaceutical use, pest control, carcass and biological waste disposal and adequate veterinary care shall be established by the licensee and reviewed and signed by licensee's consulting veterinarian. Wildlife being rehabilitated shall be subject to all of the following conditions:
NR 19.77(1)(a)
(a) If suspected of having an infectious disease, be quarantined in areas designated for that purpose.
NR 19.77(1)(b)
(b) Be kept separated from human living quarters and activities.
NR 19.77(1)(c)
(c) Have no contact with captive wildlife licensed under ch.
169, Stats., with the exception of other wildlife held under a rehabilitation license.
NR 19.77(1)(d)
(d) Have no contact with the general public unless specifically authorized by the department for educational purposes.
NR 19.77(1)(e)
(e) Be kept in enclosures at all times, and have contact with the licensee or designated volunteers only to the extent necessary to provide adequate care and treatment.
NR 19.77(1)(f)
(f) Not be tamed, used as pets, held with domestic animals or habituated to humans.
NR 19.77(1)(g)
(g) Be of compatible species when housed together, and not pose a threat to health or well-being of other wildlife in the same enclosure.
NR 19.77(1)(h)
(h) Be raised with other wild animals of the same species held under the authority of a rehabilitation license whenever appropriate and possible, to ensure proper species orientation.
NR 19.77(2)(a)(a) Enclosures shall be structurally sound, of sufficient strength for species involved, and maintained in good repair to prevent escape or injury to wildlife being rehabilitated. All structures built after July 1, 2016 shall be in compliance with the Minimum Standards of the National Wildlife Rehabilitation Association and International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council except that, if enclosures are structurally sound, of sufficient strength for species involved, and maintained in good repair to prevent escape or injury, the department may determine standards have been met which fulfill the requirements of this paragraph.
NR 19.77 Note
Note: National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association and International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council minimum standards for enclosures are available at
http://dnr.wi.gov/ or upon request at DNR Service Centers, by writing the Bureau of Wildlife Management, PO Box 7921, 101 S. Webster St., Madison, WI 53707-7921 or by calling 1-888-936-7463.
NR 19.77(2)(b)
(b) Enclosures shall be constructed to allow sufficient space for individual posture and social movements, unless medical treatment necessitates restricted mobility.
NR 19.77(2)(c)
(c) All outdoor wildlife enclosures shall have protective devices at entrances and exits to prevent escapes.
NR 19.77(2)(e)
(e) No exposed sharp objects, ponds with steeply sloped banks, toxic paints or sealants, poisonous vegetation or other hazardous items may be used in the construction of enclosures.
NR 19.77(2)(f)
(f) Enclosures shall have visual barriers to restrict wildlife's view of humans, domestic animals, and other species being rehabilitated to reduce inappropriate imprinting, socialization, habituation or stress.
NR 19.77(3)(a)
(a) Ambient temperatures shall be sufficient for species involved.
NR 19.77(3)(b)
(b) Adequate ventilation by means of windows, doors, vents, fans or air conditioning shall be provided to protect wildlife health and to minimize drafts, odors and condensation.
NR 19.77(3)(c)
(c) Adequate lighting shall be provided by artificial or natural means and cycled for appropriate photoperiod for species involved.
NR 19.77(3)(d)
(d) Adequate shade, weatherproof shelters, nest boxes, perches and dens shall be provided to protect wildlife from inclement weather and direct sun.
NR 19.77(3)(e)
(e) Wildlife being rehabilitated shall be gradually acclimated before being exposed to extreme outdoor conditions.
NR 19.77(4)(a)
(a) Adequate feeding schedules shall be maintained for species involved unless medical treatment necessitates restricted food intake.
NR 19.77(4)(b)
(b) All food shall be palatable, free of contamination, and of sufficient quantity and nutritive value.
NR 19.77(4)(c)
(c) Wildlife's diets shall be supplemented with vitamins and minerals when necessary for species involved.
NR 19.77(4)(d)
(d) Food receptacles shall be appropriately sized, easily accessible, kept sanitary and safe.
NR 19.77(5)(a)
(a) Fresh uncontaminated water for drinking shall be provided at all times unless medical treatment necessitates restricted water intake.
NR 19.77(5)(b)
(b) Water, separate from drinking water, shall be provided for species requiring bathing, swimming or misting unless medical treatment necessitates restricted water exposure.
NR 19.77(5)(c)
(c) Water receptacles shall be appropriately sized, easily accessible, kept sanitary and safe.
NR 19.77(6)(a)
(a) Removal and disposal of wildlife food wastes, feces and urine, bedding, carcasses, trash, garbage, and debris from the enclosure and premises shall be performed frequently to maintain sanitary conditions and protect wildlife and human health.
NR 19.77(6)(b)
(b) Cages, rooms, hard surfaced pens, kennels, runs, equipment, and food and water receptacles shall be sanitized between each wildlife use to prevent disease transmission.
NR 19.77(6)(c)
(c) Excess water shall be drained from enclosures and may not drain into neighboring enclosures.
NR 19.77(6)(d)
(d) Wildlife in enclosures shall be protected from contact with cleaning activities and chemicals.
NR 19.78
NR 19.78 Care and treatment of wildlife. NR 19.78(1)(1)
Any orphaned, sick or injured wildlife, except endangered or threatened species, that the licensee determines is not capable of being rehabilitated or having a reasonable chance of survival in the wild shall be treated under one of the following options:
NR 19.78(1)(d)
(d) Retained for the purpose of long-term care at the direction of the department.
NR 19.78(2)
(2) A licensee shall notify the department within 48 hours of receipt of federal or state endangered or threatened species.
NR 19.78(3)
(3) State endangered or threatened species may be euthanized and disposed of only under direction of the department.
NR 19.78(4)
(4) Federally endangered or threatened migratory birds may only be euthanized and disposed of under the direction of the migratory bird permit office, United States fish and wildlife service, and the department.
NR 19.78(5)
(5) Federally endangered or threatened mammals shall only be euthanized and disposed of under direction of the endangered species permit office of the United States fish and wildlife service and the department.
NR 19.78(6)
(6) No licensee may keep any orphaned, sick or injured migratory bird for the purpose of rehabilitation, including birds not ready for release prior to the onset of cold weather, longer than 180 days unless an extension is granted by the migratory bird permit office of the United States fish and wildlife service, and the department for each individual case.
NR 19.78(7)
(7) No licensee may keep any orphaned, sick or injured wildlife for the purpose of rehabilitation, including wildlife not ready for release prior to the onset of cold weather, longer than 180 days unless an extension is granted by the department for each individual case.
NR 19.78(8)
(8) When the licensee determines that the injured or sick wildlife have sufficiently recovered, or orphaned wildlife has matured to an age where there is reasonable chance for survival in the wild, wildlife shall be released at an appropriate location with landowner permission unless otherwise authorized by the department.
NR 19.78(9)
(9) For the purpose of responding to an oil spill, a currently licensed rehabilitator from another state may, under the approval of the secretary or their designee, temporarily assist in Wisconsin with the rehabilitation of wildlife affected by an oil spill in this state subject to conditions established by the department.
NR 19.78(10)
(10) A licensee shall quarantine all animals reported under s.
NR 19.79 (2) and animals shall be handled as directed by the department, including conducting rabies testing at the direction and in the presence of the department or its agents.
NR 19.78(11)
(11) If a licensee's relationship with a consulting veterinarian under s.
NR 19.74 (1) (a) is terminated, the licensee may not admit new patients until a new consulting veterinarian is obtained. The licensee shall establish a new relationship with a consulting veterinarian and notify the department within 10 business days.
NR 19.78(12)
(12) In the event that the department makes a determination which directs what the disposition of a wild animal shall be, no person may fail to comply.
NR 19.78 History
History: CR 03-029: cr.
Register December 2003 No. 576, eff. 1-1-04;
CR 08-021: am. (2)
Register November 2008 No. 635, eff. 12-1-08;
CR 09-024: am. (4)
Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10;
CR 15-054: cr. (9) to (12)
Register July 2018 No. 751, eff. 8-1-18; correction in (10), (11) made under s.
35.17, Stats.,
Register July 2018 No. 751.
NR 19.79
NR 19.79 Infectious disease reporting and response. NR 19.79(1)(1) A licensee or consulting veterinarian shall report animal diseases as required by s.
ATCP 10.03 if diagnosed in wildlife being rehabilitated and to the department's wildlife health program.
NR 19.79(2)
(2) If a licensee knows or reasonably suspects that a rabies-vector species mammal in their care may have or has been exposed to rabies, or that a human or domestic animal has been bitten or scratched by a possible rabies-vector species in the licensee's possession, the licensee shall make reports required under sub.
(1), quarantine the animal, and handle the animal as directed by their local or county public health department of the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, which may include submitting the animal for rabies testing by the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene.
NR 19.79 Note
Note: The wildlife health program may be contacted by calling 1-888-936-7463.
NR 19.79 History
History: CR 03-029: cr.
Register December 2003 No. 576, eff. 1-1-04;
CR 15-054: renum. NR 19.79 to (1) and am., cr. (2)
Register July 2018 No. 751, eff. 8-1-18; correction in (2) made under s.
13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register July 2018 No. 751.
NR 19.80
NR 19.80 Record keeping and reporting. NR 19.80(1)(1)
A wildlife rehabilitation license may not be renewed until the licensee has submitted an annual report in accordance with s.
169.36 (10), Stats., and any additional required records that the department has specifically requested.
NR 19.80(2)
(2) An advanced licensee and a basic licensee shall provide a copy of the records required to be maintained for that license to the department quarterly as follows:
NR 19.80(2)(a)
(a) Quarterly submission of records shall be provided to the department by April 30th, July 31st, October 31st and January 31st each year, and shall consist of a copy of all required records maintained during the 3 previous months.
NR 19.80(2)(b)
(b) Records to be included in the quarterly report shall consist of complete records of all transactions or activity involving any wild animals of the following families:
NR 19.80(2)(b)3.
3. Mustelidae (badger, mink, otter, skunk, fisher, marten, wolverine, weasel).
NR 19.80(2)(b)6.
6. Suidae (pure wild strains of swine commonly known by the name European, Eurasian, Russian or hybrids with domestic strains and animals which are confined but which exhibit characteristics of being in an untamed state, and as established in s.
NR 16.11).
NR 19.80(2)(b)8.
8. Canidae
(Hybrids of the species Canis lupus, C. lycaon, or C. rufus commonly known as wolves and the species Canis familiaris, domestic dogs, and subsequent generations from such matings as established in s.
NR 16.11).
NR 19.80 Note
Note: The department may restrict the rehabilitation of species when necessary to control the spread of disease, to protect public health, or to prevent harmful environmental impacts. Pursuant to ss.
169.085 and
169.11 (1) (b) Stats., the department does not allow rehabilitation of wolves or wolf-dog hybrids.
NR 19.80 History
History: CR 03-029: cr.
Register December 2003 No. 576, eff. 1-1-04; corrections made to (2) under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 1., Stats.,
Register December 2003 No. 576;
CR 15-054: am. (2) (b) 3., cr. (2) (b) 5. to 8.
Register July 2018 No. 751, eff. 8-1-18; correction in (2) (b) 6., 8. made under s. 35.17, Stats.,
Register July 2018 No. 751.
NR 19.81
NR 19.81 Qualifications of sponsors. Advanced licensees may elect to sponsor and provide consultation and advice to basic licensees. Potential sponsors will be reviewed by the wildlife rehabilitation advisory council and the department. A person desiring to be an advanced sponsor shall do all of the following:
NR 19.81(1)
(1) Submit a request to the wildlife rehabilitation program manager requesting designation as a sponsor.
NR 19.81(2)
(2) Submit to the wildlife rehabilitation program manager
, documentation of experience rehabilitating those wildlife species which the basic licensee is authorized to possess.
NR 19.81(3)
(3) Be actively rehabilitating the species the basic licensee is authorized for, or have a facility prepared to rehabilitate the species in compliance with s.
NR 19.77.
NR 19.81 Note
Note: Contact information for the wildlife rehabilitation program manager may be obtained by calling 1-888-936-7463.
NR 19.81 History
History: CR 03-029: cr.
Register December 2003 No. 576, eff. 1-1-04;
CR 15-054: am. (intro.), (1), (2), cr. (3)
Register July 2018 No. 751, eff. 8-1-18; correction in (3) made under s.
35.17, Stats.,
Register July 2018 No. 751.
NR 19.83
NR 19.83 Additional conditions. NR 19.83(1)(1)
Any license issued after January 1, 2004, is subject to requirements of this subchapter.
NR 19.83(2)
(2) On January 1, 2004, all existing Wisconsin wildlife rehabilitation permittees will be granted a provisional license for 2 years. After 2 years from the effective date of the provisional license, these provisional licensees may apply for a license pursuant to this subchapter.
NR 19.83 History
History: CR 03-029: cr.
Register December 2003 No. 576, eff. 1-1-04.
NR 19.84
NR 19.84 Modifications. The department may amend or add conditions to licenses issued under this subchapter at any time if there is a risk to public or animal health and human or animal welfare or there is a risk to the health and welfare of the environment.
