WILDLIFE NEEDS YOUR HELP

Every spring across Texas, wildlife rehabilitators open their homes, empty their wallets, sacrifice sleep, and devote countless unpaid hours to saving orphaned and injured wildlife. From tiny squirrels needing feedings every few hours through the night, to injured birds, opossums, raccoons, and other native wildlife, these volunteers step in where no one else can.

Now many wildlife rehabilitators fear proposed changes to Texas wildlife rehabilitation regulations could unintentionally create additional barriers for the very people helping fill this critical need.

Wildlife rehabilitation is not a business for most people involved. It is emotionally exhausting, physically demanding, expensive work performed almost entirely by volunteers. Texas already faces a shortage of permitted wildlife rehabilitators, especially during the overwhelming spring and summer baby season when rescue calls surge daily. Increasing restrictions and operational burdens may discourage volunteers from entering or remaining in rehabilitation work at a time when more help is desperately needed.

One of the greatest concerns involves the impact on smaller home-based rehabilitation efforts, particularly those providing neonatal care. Many orphaned animals require around-the-clock feedings and monitoring that simply cannot be accomplished in a centralized facility alone. Small-scale rehabilitators and volunteers often serve as the backbone of emergency wildlife care in communities across Texas.

Those involved in rehabilitation fully support reasonable standards that protect wildlife and ensure proper care. However, many fear the proposed regulations may unintentionally reduce rehabilitation capacity statewide by making it harder for experienced volunteers to participate, assist permit holders, or provide critical home-based care. The likely result could be fewer available placements for orphaned and injured animals and, ultimately, more euthanasia simply because there are not enough qualified people available to help.

This issue extends beyond wildlife rehabilitators themselves. Texans who find orphaned baby animals, injured birds, or displaced wildlife expect there will be someone willing and able to help. If rehabilitation capacity shrinks, the consequences will be felt not only by wildlife, but also by the communities that care deeply about protecting Texas’ natural heritage.

Wildlife rehabilitators are not asking for the absence of oversight. They are asking for practical, workable regulations that recognize the realities of rehabilitation work and the enormous contribution volunteers make every single day.

Before these new regulations move forward, many in the wildlife rehabilitation community are urging Texas Parks and Wildlife officials to carefully reconsider how these changes may impact volunteer participation, neonatal care, rural rescue efforts, and the future availability of wildlife rehabilitation services across the state.

We respectfully ask for your help in bringing attention to this issue and helping educate the public about the potentially devastating impact these proposed regulations could have on wildlife rehabilitation efforts across Texas. Public awareness and public input matter. We respectfully ask for your help in bringing attention to this issue and helping educate the public about the potentially devastating impact these proposed regulations could have on wildlife rehabilitation efforts across Texas. Public awareness and public input matter. Texans who value wildlife conservation, compassion, and responsible stewardship are encouraged to contact Texas Parks and Wildlife and respectfully voice their concerns before these changes are finalized. The future of countless orphaned and injured wild animals may very well depend on whether enough experienced volunteers remain willing and able to answer the call for help.

Texans who would like to respectfully voice their concerns regarding the proposed Wildlife Rehabilitation Rule changes may contact Texas Parks and Wildlife through the following:

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Wildlife Conservation Permits Office
Email: WPoffice@tpwd.texas.gov
Phone: (512) 389-4800

Public comments may also be submitted online through the Texas Parks and Wildlife public comment page:
TPWD Public Comment Page

Respectfully,

Cheryl Conley, Texas Permitted Wildlife Rehabilitator