Recent licensing changes for professional wildlife rehabilitation centers in New York State - made with almost no advance notice - no longer allow volunteers to transport injured deer and other wildlife to their facilities for treatment. The licensing modifications will also prevent rehabilitation centers from responding to accidents where a car hits and injures a deer.
According to DEC public information officer DeLaMater, who was quoted in a recent Southampton Press newspaper article, the basis for the amended license conditions is the DEC's argument that "wildlife rehabilitators should not have any animals in their possession long term, or treat these animals as pets, which has been known to happen." According to DeLaMater, the licensing changes were made because of concerns about the effectiveness of rehabilitating wild animals.
The DEC's solution? Let injured wildlife suffer and die?
Wildlife rehabilitators perform a vital service for the community, and should not be hindered in doing that. Without a convenient way to get an injured or orphaned animal to a qualified rehabilitator, many caring people are left with no choice but to try to care for the animal themselves, illegally. This not only gives the animal a much lower chance of survival, but in some cases could also pose a danger to human health and safety.
How can a government agency in the State of New York - which is funded by tax payer dollars - tell people who love animals to watch and stand by while injured wildlife suffer and die? It is unconscionable. The DEC should not be allowed to make it harder for an animal to reach a licensed and experienced wildlife rehabilitator. This licensing modification should be voided NOW!
