How many years of school does it take to become a wildlife rehabilitator? and what careers save animals?

Question

i wanted to be a vet but i really dont want to go through 8 years of college. i then looked into other animal related careers and found wildlife rehabilitator, which i would love to do. its my dream to help save animals.

how many years of college does it take, or what other careers are there to help animals?

Answer 1

Depending on how far you want to get into a field, an associate degree or bachelor degree would suffice.  You'd be able to get a position as part of a team for wildlife rehabilitation.

Potential degrees to get into that field or similar fields are biology, zoology, wildlife biology, ecology, environmental sciences, etc..

A good start would be to look for positions in the job market, and see what kind of educational requirements the position has.  Also, look at universities and see what degrees they offer related to the field you want to get into.

Answer 2

Getting a permit to rehabilitate wildlife in the US on yor own doesn't require a specific degree, though it often requires some kind of training.  Requirements vary from state to state; check out:

http://www.fws.gov/faq/rehabfaq.html

for the requirements in your state.  Wildlife rehabilitation is extremely expensive and time consuming, and isn't funded by any government agency, so plan on another, reliable source of income to support yourself.  

To work for an institution that does wildlife rehabilitation, plan on a bachelor's degree (or higher) in biology, wildlife biology, or a similar field.  Plan on a couple of unpaid or poorly paid internships prior to landing a rehab job.  Check job listings for wildlife rehabilitators at:

http://www.iwrc-online.org/jobline/jobli...

or

http://www.nwrawildlife.org/jobsearch.as...

to get a feel for the job requirements and pay scales.  

Wildlife rehabilitation pays extremely poorly, and is exhausting, dirty, and often heartbreaking work.  However, there's nothing like opening that crate door for a rehabilitated animal and watching a critter that came to you near death fly free again.  

Good luck!

Answer 3

at least four years, not counting in field experience. + you have to work your way up the chain in any organisation, which takes time!

Answer 4

I don't know how many years it would take, or if you HAVE to have a degree. It probably be better if you did though. How many years of college will depend on what degree you go for and how high of a degree (AS, BS, etc).

Zoology, Animal Science, some sort of Wildlife related degree, or even becoming a wildlife vet would be a great idea.

You should also ask you local Wildlife Rehab what they require to work there and what degree you should get.

As well as an education You should get some hands-on experience working with animals. You could volunteer/work at a wildlife rehab, zoo, Vet clinic, animal shelter,....

I hope these links will help. Good Luck.

http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/training...

Becoming a Wildlife Rehabilitator

Laws on what is needed to become a licensed wildlife rehabilitator vary from state to state. There is no "formal" education that is needed although many states require experience working under a licensed rehabber for a certain amount of time. Some states also require passing an exam before being licensed to care for injured/orphaned wildlife.

If you are interested in this field, the BEST place to start is to find a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in your area and volunteer with them for awhile. This way, you will learn what is involved in wildlife rehabilitation along with its many joys and heartaches. Please be aware that it is very hard work with often long hours and that MOST rehabbers work strictly on a volunteer basis. There are SOME centers in the country that do have paid positions, but most are volunteer. There are many wildlife rehabbers who operate from their own home, others who have combined to operate small centers, and others that have very large centers with paid staff. Try to find one of these centers and ask about becoming a volunteer. That is the first place to start.

Next, it would be VERY wise to join one or both of the national wildlife rehabilitation organizations. The both offer a LOT of information and resources for wildlife rehabilitators and those interested in pursuing education in this area. They also offer training classes in basic wildlife rehabilitation (and more advanced classes too) around the country so be sure to check out there information.

http://www.nwrawildlife.org/page.asp?ID=...

For most rehabilitators, we recommend a college degree in biology or ecology. The curriculum should include ornithology, mammalogy, animal behavior, ecology, and related wildlife and environmental subjects. Wildlife rehabilitators include veterinarians, veterinary technicians, biologists, educators, and people from other diverse backgrounds. Although a college degree is not required to become a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, a biology-related degree has several advantages:

    * provides knowledge essential for quality hands-on animal care;

    * develops an understanding of wildlife as they relate to humans and the environment;

    * gives you an edge in this increasingly competitive field.

Which colleges and universities offer wildlife rehabilitation degrees?

Until recently, there were no programs that offered degrees specifically in wildlife rehabilitation; however, many schools offer degrees in biology, ecology, wildlife management, animal science, and other related fields. Within biology or animal ecology degree programs, several schools now offer areas of specialization in wildlife, wildlife care, and/or pre-veterinary medicine. Many schools offer classes related to wildlife rehabilitation such as wildlife management, behavior, ecology, field techniques, restraint, raptor physiology, and others. There are more than 60 colleges offering accredited veterinary technology or animal health technology programs in North America. Some schools are affiliated with or located near wildlife rehabilitation facilities where students can volunteer. Valuable training and experience can be gained by working with either a private wildlife rehabilitator or at a clinic or center. This website will soon offer an up-to-date list of many of the colleges and universities that now offer degrees or special coursework in wildlife rehabilitation.

There are 27 veterinary schools at universities in the U.S. and four in Canada. Many of these schools now offer specific courses or additional study opportunities in wildlife medicine. Some of the veterinary schools even have wildlife rehabilitation centers where the students can get hands-on training diagnosing and treating injured wildlife. This website will soon offer a listing of which veterinary schools offer courses in wildlife medicine, and which schools have facilities for doing wildlife rehabilitation.

http://www.seaworld.org/career-resources...

CATCH 22?

1. To get a job working with animals, you need experience with animals. This bit of truth seems to create a frustrating circle. You need experience to get a job, but you can't get experience unless you have a job, right? Well, yes and no.

VOLUNTEER

1. To begin a career caring for animals, you should be prepared to start with a volunteer or entry-level position. Call your nearest zoo or aquatic park and ask for details on becoming a volunteer (also called a docent or intern). Humane societies, animal rehabilitation clinics, and some veterinary clinics also welcome volunteers. Although your duties with a humane society or veterinary clinic will most likely involve working indirectly with animals (cleaning cages and preparing food), volunteer duties at a zoo or aquatic park range from filing or answering phones to being trained to make educational presentations or feed newly hatched birds.

Volunteering your time shows that you're serious about your commitment to animals. Develop a reputation for being an eager, cooperative, hard-working person, and your volunteer effort may help you get a job in the future. Supervisors are often asked to give character references for volunteers who've worked for them.

SETTING YOURSELF UP FOR SUCCESS

1. A strong background in zoology is necessary for most of the jobs that involve working closely with animals. Ask your school counselor to help you work out a course list that will prepare you to earn a degree in zoology, biology, chemistry, botany, or psychology. Take your classes seriously; zoological parks are more interested in hiring a hard-working, knowledgeable person than someone who "loves animals."

Don't wait until you have a degree before you apply for a job at a zoological park. Some of the curators, supervisors, aquarists, and others got their start by working at snack stands and gift shops before moving into their present careers. An entry-level position will help you establish a name for yourself as a dedicated employee, and introduces you to how hiring is handled within that zoological institution.

Lastly, many of the professional organizations listed in the Appendix have special membership rates for nonprofessionals and students. You'll be able to learn more about animals and zoological careers through their newsletters. Also, by attending local workshops and even national conferences, you might make some good contacts and get more information on how to chart your path for your zoological park career.

http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contact....

http://www.nwrawildlife.org/documents/st...

http://www.iwrc-online.org/jobline/jobs_...

http://www.wonderferret.com/zooed/

http://www.collegeboard.com/csearch/majo...

http://home.comcast.net/~wildlifebio/map...

http://www.moorparkcollege.edu/current_s...

http://www.moorparkcollege.edu/current_s...

http://www.animaledu.com/programs/wr.htm

http://www.hocking.edu/academics/schools...

http://www.aczm.org/

http://www.aawv.net/jobs.html

http://www.tufts.edu/vet/ccm/index.html

http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/wmc/

http://www.vet.cornell.edu/hospital/wild...