Deadline for Written Comments: Written comments may be submitted to the agency contact person, listed above, through August 31, 2015.
Section 1. NR 19.71 (2m) is created to read:
NR 19.71 (2m) “Cage” means any structure in which animals are confined for rehabilitation purposes.
Section 2. NR 19.71 (3m) is created to read:
NR 19.71 (3m) “Direct supervision” means the actual presence of the licensee or consulting veterinarian.
Section 3. NR 19.71 (4) is amended to read:
NR 19.71 (4) "Euthanasia" means the humane killing of a wildlife wild animal in accordance with the current American veterinary medical association standards contained in the 2000 Report most recent report of the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia.
NR 19.71 NoteNote: Copies of the 2000 Report Reports of the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia, JAVA, Vol. 218, No. 5, dated March 1, 2001, are available for inspection at the offices of the Secretary of State, 30 W. Mifflin Street, Madison, WI, the Legislative Reference Bureau, One E. Main Street, Madison, WI, or the department.
Section 4. NR 19.71 (6m) and (9g) are created to read:
NR 19.71 (6m) “Indirect supervision” means a licensee need not be on the premises but shall give either written or verbal instructions for treatment of an animal, is readily available by telephone or other forms of immediate communication, and has assumed responsibility for the rehabilitation care provided by a person working under the licensee’s direction.
(9g) “Subpermittee” means any person subject to the conditions and limits established in s. NR 19.73 (3)(e) and who is working in a limited capacity under the supervision of an advanced licensee on wildlife rehabilitation activities.
Section 5. NR 19.71 (10) is repealed and recreated to read:
NR 19.71 (10) “Volunteer” means any person at a licensee’s facility who is contributing to the activities of the facility or who is under the direction of and is known to the licensee.
Section 6. NR 19.71 (13) is amended to read:
NR 19.71 (13) "Wildlife rehabilitation advisory committee council" means a group of volunteers appointed by the secretary or secretary's designee to advise and provide recommendations about wildlife rehabilitation, wildlife health, and captive wildlife to the department.
Section 7. NR 19.72 (2) (Note) is created to read:
NR 19.72 (2) Note: Deer rehabilitation information can be found at http://dnr.wi.gov/ or will be available upon request at DNR Service Centers, by writing the Bureau of Wildlife Management, PO Box 7921, 101 S. Webster St., Madison, WI 53707−7921. The rehabilitation of skunks is prohibited under s. NR 1.18 (3) (c). The possession and rehabilitation of species which are listed as threatened or endangered as established in s. NR 27.03 requires authorization from the Bureau of Natural Heritage Conservation. Pursuant to ss. Ch. 169.085 and 169.11 (1) (b) Wis. Stats., the department does not allow rehabilitation of wolves or wolf-dog hybrids. Section 8. NR 19.73 (1) (d) and (e) are created to read:
NR 19.73 (1) (d) Species. The department shall list on the license the species authorized for rehabilitation by a basic or an advanced licensee.
(e) Species additions. No person may add species to their license unless all of the following have occurred:
1. The licensee has submitted to the department a caging report as required under s. NR 19.76 (2m), pictures of pens/enclosures, and documentation indicating the licensee’s rehabilitation experience or knowledge with the new species. Experience or knowledge with the new species shall include at least 100 hours of hands-on experience gained within the previous two years and 25 of those hours may be fulfilled by participation in seminars or courses relating to the new species. The department may require that licensees demonstrate specific experience or knowledge of species that it determines to be sensitive or difficult to rehabilitate. 2. The department has reviewed and approved the addition.
3. An additional facility inspection to determine compliance with standards established under s. NR 19.77 has been conducted if the department has determined such an inspection is necessary. 4. A basic licensee possesses a sponsorship agreement with an advanced licensee.
Section 9. NR 19.73 (2) (a) 1m. is created to read:
NR 19.73 (2) (a) (1m) Submit a completed license application that describes prior wildlife rehabilitation and animal care experience to the department.
Section 10. NR 19.73 (2) (d) is repealed and recreated to read:
NR 19.73 (2) (d) Volunteers. Volunteers may assist basic license holders with the rehabilitation of wildlife provided that all of the following conditions apply:
1. Basic licensees have completed one full year of licensed wildlife rehabilitation before volunteers may be authorized to assist with wildlife rehabilitation activities.
2. All volunteer information including name, address, and telephone number has been provided to the department.
3. The department is notified quarterly of any changes to their list of volunteers and any changes in contact information of their volunteers.
4. Volunteers only provide basic care to species identified on the basic license.
5. Volunteers only operate at the facility of the licensee and under the direct supervision of the basic licensee.
6. License holders accept responsibility for the actions and activities of volunteers and shall be responsible for any violations by volunteers in violation of this chapter or Ch. 169 Stats. Section 11. NR 19.73 (2) (e) is created to read:
NR 19.73 (2) (e) Subpermittees. Basic license holders shall not list subpermittees on their license.
Section 12. NR 19.73 (3) (a) 1. is amended to read:
NR 19.73 (3) (a) 1. NR 19.73(3)(a)Possess a basic evaluation form signed by the applicant's advanced licensee sponsor or sponsors and consulting veterinarian or veterianarians stating that the applicant has been a licensed basic rehabilitator for a minimum of 2 years and has satisfactorily engaged in the practice of wildlife rehabilitation.
Section 13. NR 19.73 (3) (a) 1m. is created to read:
NR 19.73 (3) (a) 1m. Submit a completed license application form that describes prior wildlife rehabilitation experience to the department.
Section 14. NR 19.73 (3) (a) 2m. is created to read:
NR 19.73 (3) (a) 2m. Pass an examination meeting the requirements of s. NR 19.75.
