Becoming licensed in FL

[Mochi&Mocha]

I'm starting to get serious about getting licensed. I understand the test part but what happens after that? What are the home visits like? This Fall (so far!) I had 7 squirrels as well as 2 possums. I have a rehabber who is training me more on other animals but I have squirrels down pat. I feel like getting licensed is best because a lot of people know I do this now and I want to be able to fundraise money. I'm worried about the home visit mostly though. I feel like I have a pretty good set up. I have 2 critter nation cages and a smaller cage for transitioning babies into the bigger cage. I also have a ferret nation I can use for other animals but I know it's not best for squirrels. I have a local vet that treats wildlife and a vet in Daytona I really like.

So I guess what I really want to know is what your personal experiences have been in FL

[Mochi&Mocha]

Oh and of course I have baby cages too.

[Jackie in Tampa]

Call Tallahassee,
850) 488-4676
ask for Ernestine..ask for a study pack to be sent to you...
depending on where you are, testing is offered at one of the regional offices.
After you are tested, inspection of your caging and equipment is assigned to a local officer.
good luck,xo, j

[Mochi&Mocha]

Call Tallahassee,
850) 488-4676
ask for Ernestine..ask for a study pack to be sent to you...
depending on where you are, testing is offered at one of the regional offices.
After you are tested, inspection of your caging and equipment is assigned to a local officer.
good luck,xo, j

Thank you :) I already have the study packet, I'm not worried about the test part. I'm more worried about the home inspection. Do you think my cages are okay? I think I read online that they want 6' tall by 4' by 4' which is bigger than my critter nations. Does that mean I'll fail?

[Jackie in Tampa]

https://www.flrules.org/gateway/RuleNo.asp?ID=68A-6.005

[Mochi&Mocha]

I'm confused. That's for wildlife as personal pets. Although I have 2 NR, I am looking to get info on the cage requirements for rehabs. I already found the document that gives me the requirements but I'm asking for personal experiences if they actually have to be that big. I have a critter nation...which we all know is a great cage, but it's smaller than what they want. Will they fail me at the home visit?

[Mochi&Mocha]

Or I shouldn't say 'fail'. Will they tell me I have to get different cages?

[Anne]

Your Critter Nation cages are very good sized. It would depend on how many are in each cage. The larger cage 6x4x4 is a good release sized cage for outside-outside cages also need nest boxes and a roof to protect them from the weather. The rehabber you are working with should know your cage sizes and have told you if they were large enough. As a licensed rehabber in Florida you will not be able to have any more NR's, the state wants only releasable animals being cared for in your facility. In the future you will need to find any new NR's forever homes.The inspector will be looking at where the animals will be kept, how they will be housed-inside or out, and if you have a release cage available. The size of the cages will determine how many squirrels will be able to go in each cage, that will also carry over to how many the release cage can house. I was told that the new study materials included all the information on caging now. The study guide I have from a long time ago didn't contain any requirements on caging. What I have seen on printed cage size adequate by state standards seemed small to me, except for the release cages. Squirrels need way less room than do Raccoons, Opossums, etc.

[Mochi&Mocha]

Thank you Anne! That's exactly what I was looking to hear :). I need to order a new study pamphlet because it seems mine has some missing pages.

[Anne]

I would have listed the caging info here or PM'd it to you, but I am myself waiting for someone to pass that one to me! LOL-I am be getting in touch with you in a few weeks time for the same info!

[magna]

The following is the FWC state caging requirements statute. 68A-6.004. 216621

[Anne]

Thank you, magna:poke:grin3

[Mochi&Mocha]

Thank you! Must have missed the replies on this page lol