Euthanizing Non-Releasable Animals in Wildlife Rehab

[Lo_laa]

Hello

I am curious about everyone's opinion on this, as I know there are many rehabbers on here. My first experience volunteering at a wildlife rehab was so wonderful and it inspired me to work on getting my own license eventually. We kept non-releasable animals and either found placement for them elsewhere or kept them on our property to be used as education animals. This seemed fine to me and the animals seemed perfectly content and happy. I ended up moving to another state, and the wildlife rehab that is near me here euthanizes all non-releasable animals. I did not know this was something that was done. Is this the new standard? Do many wildlife rehabs do this? I admit I am feeling conflicted about it because while I know it is always best for wild animals to be wild, I have seen many wilds live very full and happy lives in captivity, and my own personal experience with animals is that they have a strong will to live, no matter what. Thoughts?

[TubeDriver]

If you are licensed, you are generally supposed to follow the law which in most cases requires euthanizing wildlife that cannot be successfully released. Some people strictly adhere to this, others look the other way occasionally or in certain situations and others ignore the law altogether. In general, wildlife deserves to be free and most people do not have the resources/time to provide a stimulating life for wildlife. But in reality, there are exceptions to almost every rule. Here on the TSB, we try to educate and help out anyone who is attempting to help a squirrel. Period. We recognize that squirrels for the most part make pretty awful pets unless their caretakers go above and beyond what many people are willing/able to do. We encourage rescue, rehab and release. But we also support folks who have NRs, we are not in the business of enforcing DNR's rules.

Hello

I am curious about everyone's opinion on this, as I know there are many rehabbers on here. My first experience volunteering at a wildlife rehab was so wonderful and it inspired me to work on getting my own license eventually. We kept non-releasable animals and either found placement for them elsewhere or kept them on our property to be used as education animals. This seemed fine to me and the animals seemed perfectly content and happy. I ended up moving to another state, and the wildlife rehab that is near me here euthanizes all non-releasable animals. I did not know this was something that was done. Is this the new standard? Do many wildlife rehabs do this? I admit I am feeling conflicted about it because while I know it is always best for wild animals to be wild, I have seen many wilds live very full and happy lives in captivity, and my own personal experience with animals is that they have a strong will to live, no matter what. Thoughts?

[Charley Chuckles]

RULES ARE VERY IMPORTANT THINGS, BUT SOMETIMES THEY SEEM TO GET IN THE WAY WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO HELP SOMEBODY,
SO IN CERTAIN CASES WE DON'T BREAK THEM WE JUST BEND THEM A LITTLE.

Author, Andy Griffith 👏

[SammysMom]

Into pretzels when needed!!!

RULES ARE VERY IMPORTANT THINGS, BUT SOMETIMES THEY SEEM TO GET IN THE WAY WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO HELP SOMEBODY,
SO IN CERTAIN CASES WE DON'T BREAK THEM WE JUST BEND THEM A LITTLE.

Author, Andy Griffith 👏