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What is the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council?
The International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC) is a nonprofit membership organization focused on wildlife rehabilitation—the care of injured, orphaned, or sick wild animals with the goal of returning them to the wild. Its stated mission is to provide evidence-based educational resources and raise ethical standards for wildlife care worldwide, and it describes itself as a community of rehabilitators, researchers, and advocates working toward conservation and humane coexistence with wildlife.
What it actually offers
- Training and education: Online and in-person courses across experience levels, from a foundational introduction to wildlife rehabilitation to specialized clinical topics such as fluid therapy. There is also a practicum and a classroom login area for enrolled students.
- Membership: Individual membership with benefits, a member directory, and member access to the Journal of Wildlife Rehabilitation.
- Reference material: Best-practice guidance, regional regulations information, raptor identification help, and a research commons.
- Practical help for the public: A prominent "Found an injured animal?" path with guidance on how to rescue wildlife, what not to do, handling juvenile animals, reptile and amphibian rescue, and specific situations like a bird striking a window.
- Community and career support: Scholarships and grants, a job board, animal placement help, and volunteer opportunities.
- Publishing: Wildlife nutrition material in print and e-book form, plus a newsletter and shareable resources.
- Disaster response: Coordinated support with the International Fund for Animal Welfare when disasters affect wildlife.
Who it is for
The primary audience is people who handle or intend to handle wild animals: rehabilitators, veterinarians and veterinary technicians, wildlife center staff and volunteers, and students building toward that work. A secondary audience is the general public—someone who has found an injured animal and needs immediate, reliable direction rather than general internet advice. Conservationists and advocates who do not intend to rehabilitate animals directly may still find membership useful for the journal, community, and ethical standards work.
How it compares to related organizations
| If your need is… | This kind of organization fits when… |
|---|---|
| Structured training and certification-style learning | You want courses and a professional community around rehabilitation practice |
| Immediate help for one animal right now | You need step-by-step rescue guidance and a local rehabilitator referral |
| Wildlife policy and advocacy at a national level | You may want a broader advocacy group in addition to a rehabilitation-focused one |
| Hands-on volunteering | You want a local center; a council like this connects you to the field but is not itself a wildlife hospital |
A useful next step
If you have found an injured animal, start with the rescue guidance on the site and locate a licensed rehabilitator in your area before intervening—many species are protected, and well-meant handling can cause harm. If you are considering the field as a career or volunteer path, review the course list to see which level matches your background, then compare membership costs and benefits against your goals. To see how this fits with other wildlife organizations, you can also look at International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council alongside groups such as the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association or, for UK-based practice and regulations, Wildlife Aid Foundation.
How do I find a wildlife rehabilitator or get help for an injured animal?
For an injured animal, start with local help, not an online course. The fastest path is usually a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or a rescue organisation near you; if you cannot reach one immediately, contact a veterinarian or your local wildlife agency for guidance.
International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council is primarily an education and standards body, not an emergency dispatch service. Its site does include an "Injured Wildlife?" section with emergency guidance and rescue instructions, so it is a reasonable place to learn what to do while you locate hands-on help.
What to do first
- Keep the animal contained and quiet. Use a box with air holes, a towel, and gloves. Do not handle it more than necessary.
- Do not feed or water it. Improper food or fluids can cause serious harm, especially for birds, reptiles and young animals.
- Note the location. Many rehabilitators ask where the animal was found, because reuniting healthy young with parents is often the best outcome.
- Call before transporting. A rehabilitator can tell you whether to bring the animal in, keep it stable, or leave it alone.
How to find a rehabilitator
- Search for "wildlife rehabilitator" plus your town, county or state/province.
- Check your state, provincial or national wildlife agency; many publish licensed rehabilitator lists.
- Ask a local veterinarian, animal control or police non-emergency line for a referral.
- Use species-specific rescue groups for birds, bats, reptiles or marine animals, since general rehabilitators may not take every species.
When to use IWRC
Use IWRC if you want to understand rescue principles, learn what not to do, or find training and best-practice resources. Its courses and resources are aimed at rehabilitators, students and volunteers rather than the public seeking immediate pickup.
A quick decision guide
| Situation | Best first move |
|---|---|
| Injured adult mammal or bird | Call a licensed rehabilitator or vet |
| Apparently healthy baby bird or mammal | Contact a rehabilitator before intervening; reuniting may be possible |
| Snake, turtle or amphibian | Call a reptile/amphibian specialist or wildlife agency |
| Animal hit by a car or window | Keep it dark, quiet and contained; call for advice |
Next step: look up your regional wildlife agency or a licensed rehabilitator now, before an emergency happens, and save the number in your phone.
What courses does the IWRC offer for wildlife rehabilitators?
The International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC) offers online and in-person courses for people at all experience levels, from beginners to working rehabilitators seeking specialized skills. Its curriculum is described as science-based and designed to help participants provide better care for wild animals.
H3 Course areas and formats
- Foundations of Wildlife Rehabilitation — an entry-level course for those new to the field.
- Specialized training — for example, Fluid Therapy, aimed at more experienced rehabilitators.
- Online courses — accessible remotely through the site's education section.
- In-person courses — hosted in various countries, according to the organization's own impact figures.
- Practicum — listed alongside courses, suggesting a hands-on training component.
H3 Who each option suits
- Newcomers or volunteers should start with Foundations to build core principles before handling animals independently.
- Practicing rehabilitators can use specialized courses such as Fluid Therapy to deepen clinical skills.
- People who cannot travel will find the online format the practical choice, while in-person sessions add direct, supervised practice.
H3 A useful next step If you are unsure where to begin, check the course listings for prerequisites and whether a course is online or in person, then match that against your current experience and schedule. For immediate animal emergencies, the site's "Found an injured animal?" section offers rescue guidance rather than training.
For the full, current course catalog and any scheduling details, visit International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council.
What are the benefits of becoming an IWRC member?
Membership at the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council is aimed at people who want structured, science-based training and a professional community around wildlife care. The main benefits cluster into education, member-only resources, and community.
Education and training
- Access to online and in-person courses across expertise levels, from introductory foundations to specialized clinical topics such as fluid therapy.
- A practicum pathway for hands-on learning, plus classroom login access for enrolled students.
Member resources
- The Journal of Wildlife Rehabilitation, with a member-access section.
- Best practices guidance, a newsletter, shareables, and a job board.
- Regional regulations information, a research commons, and raptor identification tools.
- Scholarships and grants, which matter most for students and early-career rehabilitators.
Community and involvement
- A network of rehabilitators, researchers, and advocates across many countries.
- Volunteering routes that build experience and relationships in the field.
Who benefits most
| If you are… | Membership is most useful for… |
|---|---|
| New to wildlife rehabilitation | Foundations-level courses, best practices, regulations guidance |
| A working rehabilitator | Specialized training, journal access, job board, peer network |
| A student or early-career person | Scholarships and grants, practicum, resume-building experience |
| A researcher or advocate | Research commons, journal, community of practice |
A practical next step: check the membership page for the current benefits list and dues, then compare it against one course you would actually take — if the member rate plus journal access offsets the fee, membership usually pays for itself. If you mainly need emergency help for an animal right now, use the "Found an injured animal?" guidance instead; that is separate from membership.
For context on the wider field, the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association and the International Fund for Animal Welfare International Fund for Animal Welfare also publish rehabilitation and wildlife-rescue resources.
How can I volunteer or get involved with wildlife rehabilitation?
Start with training and local hands-on work, then use a global network like the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC) for credentials, community and continuing education. In most places you cannot legally handle wildlife without working under a licensed rehabilitator or permitted centre, so volunteering usually begins with animal care support, transport, phone lines, cleaning and outreach rather than direct treatment.
H3 Practical routes into wildlife rehabilitation
- Volunteer at a licensed centre or shelter. Search for your regional wildlife rehabilitation network or your state/provincial wildlife agency's list of permitted rehabilitators. These organisations need reliable help with feeding, enclosures, laundry, rescue transport and hotline shifts.
- Start with a course if you plan to stay. The IWRC offers online and in-person courses for all expertise levels, from Foundations of Wildlife Rehabilitation to specialised topics such as Fluid Therapy, and its stated mission is evidence-based education and higher ethical standards in wildlife care. That makes it a sensible first stop if you want structured training before or alongside hands-on volunteering.
- Join a membership community. IWRC describes itself as a community of rehabilitators, researchers and advocates, and lists membership benefits, a journal, a job board and a research commons. Membership is useful for people who want to keep learning, find mentors and follow openings in the field.
- Take on non-animal roles first. Fundraising, social media, grant writing, event support and data entry are often the fastest way in, especially for small centres with limited staff.
- Follow the "found an injured animal" guidance. IWRC publishes emergency and how-to-rescue material, including what not to do, juvenile animal and reptile/amphibian guidance, and advice for birds hitting windows. Knowing this before you volunteer prevents common injuries to both people and animals.
- Consider disaster response. IWRC notes that it works with the International Fund for Animal Welfare to support wildlife during natural disasters. Volunteers with first-aid, logistics or animal-handling experience can be especially useful in these situations.
H3 Choosing where to give your time
| Option | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Local licensed centre | People who want regular, hands-on animal care | Often physically demanding, seasonal and unpaid |
| IWRC courses and membership | People building knowledge, credentials and a professional network | Training is a step toward hands-on work, not a substitute for a local permit |
| Rescue transport and hotline | People with limited time or no animal-handling experience | Less direct contact with animals |
| Fundraising, outreach, admin | People with professional skills outside animal care | Indirect contribution to animal welfare |
A useful next step: contact one local licensed rehabilitator and ask what they need this month, then check the IWRC course list and membership page to see which training matches the role you are offered. If you are unsure where to start, International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council is a reasonable first stop for education and community, while your regional wildlife agency is the place to confirm local legal requirements.
What are the best practices and regulations for wildlife rehabilitation?
Best practices in wildlife rehabilitation start with the animal's interests and the law, not with good intentions. The IWRC frames its work around evidence-based education and ethical standards, and its site organizes the practical side into two threads: how to respond when you find an injured animal, and how to train to handle it properly.
What best practice looks like in practice
- Stabilize, don't improvise. The IWRC's injured-wildlife pages cover emergency response, rescue, and what not to do, with separate guidance for adult animals, juveniles, reptiles and amphibians, and birds that hit windows. The recurring message is to reduce handling, keep the animal quiet, and contact a permitted rehabilitator rather than treating it yourself.
- Species-appropriate care. Nutrition, fluid therapy, and species-specific handling are taught as distinct skills, not assumptions. The IWRC lists courses from Foundations of Wildlife Rehabilitation to specialized topics such as Fluid Therapy.
- Documentation and ethics. Its resources include best practices, policies and position statements, and a research commons — the scaffolding that turns individual effort into a shared standard.
- Know your limits. Wildlife rehabilitation is a licensed activity in many jurisdictions; the IWRC maintains a regional regulations section so you can check what applies where you are.
Where regulation bites
Rules differ sharply by country, state and province. Typical dividing lines: whether you need a permit to possess wildlife, which species are protected, whether you may keep an animal at home, and who can euthanize or release it. The IWRC's regional regulations pages are a starting point; the actual authority is your national or state wildlife agency, whose rules override anything you read on a general site.
Choosing training that fits you
| Your situation | Sensible starting point |
|---|---|
| Found an animal now | Emergency and rescue guidance; call a permitted rehabilitator |
| Curious volunteer | Introductory or foundations-level course, then hands-on mentoring |
| Active rehabilitator | Specialized clinical topics and the peer journal |
| Coordinator or educator | Best practices, policies, and community resources |
The IWRC also runs live training in multiple countries and offers scholarships and grants, which matters if cost is the barrier. For a broader professional body, see International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council and, for the veterinary and zoo-side perspective, National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association.
Next step
Before you touch an animal, write down three things: the species or closest guess, your location's permitting authority, and the nearest permitted rehabilitator's phone number. Then take one foundations-level course so your hands know what your intentions mean.
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