A wildlife rehabilitator should strive to achieve high standards of animal
care through knowledge and an understanding of the field. Continuing efforts
must be made to keep informed of current rehabilitation information,
methods, and regulations.

A wildlife rehabilitator's attitude should be responsible, conscientious,
dedicated, and should continuously work toward improving the quality of care
given to wild animals undergoing rehabilitation.

A wildlife rehabilitator must abide by local, state, provincial and federal
laws concerning wildlife, wildlife rehabilitation and associated activities.

A wildlife rehabilitator should establish safe work habits and conditions,
abiding by current health and safety practices at all times.

A wildlife rehabilitator should acknowledge limitations and enlist the
assistance of a veterinarian or other trained professional when appropriate.

A wildlife rehabilitator should respect other rehabilitators and persons in
related fields, sharing skills and knowledge in the spirit of cooperation
for the welfare of animals.

A wildlife rehabilitator should place optimum animal care above personal
gain.

A wildlife rehabilitator should strive to provide professional and humane
care in all phases of wildlife rehabilitation, respecting the wildness and
maintaining the dignity of each animal in life and in death. Releasable
animals should be maintained in a wild condition and released as soon as
appropriate. Non-releasable animals which are inappropriate for education,
foster-parenting, or captive breeding have a right to euthanasia.

A wildlife rehabilitator should encourage community support and involvement
through volunteer training and public education. The common goal should be
to promote a responsible concern for living beings and the welfare of the
environment.

A wildlife rehabilitator should work on the basis of sound ecological
principles, incorporating appropriate conservation ethics and an attitude of
stewardship.

A wildlife rehabilitator should conduct all business and activities in a
professional manner, with honesty, integrity, compassion, and commitment,
realizing that an individual's conduct reflects on the entire field of
wildlife rehabilitation.


From IWRC/NWRA Wildlife Rehabilitation Minimum Standards and Accreditation
Program