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| Most of the calls that
come into Wildlife in Tribeca are from people who've found a bird or a
small animal clearly in need of help. People want to do the right thing;
they want to help — but how?
The problem is one of scarce resources, and scarcest of all are qualified, licensed wildlife rehabilitators. Add to this, most rehabilitators tend to specialize (things get hairy otherwise); you want to find out who is most likely to have the kind of information you need. Our licenses limit us to caring for birds and mammals not governed by federal licensing requirements (notably, all migratory birds and federally listed endangered-species birds). We should not accept them in any case; we have done so occasionally (very rarely) for transmittal to properly licensed places, functioning as private citizens merely. Finally, there are some people whose abilities may once have been great, but whose engagement in rehabilitation is less about the animals than it is about their egos. Avoiding these folks is a good thing. We've tried to cull their names from the lists we use, and even to mark the egregious problems so that you may be sure to avoid them. The most well known place to take birds in particular is The Wild Bird Fund, Inc. (opens a new tab or window). Operating out of Animal General (moving soon to its own space across the street), a posh veterinary practice at Columbus Avenue at 87th Street, some Wild Bird Fund volunteers have both state and federal licences; they can accept all kinds of birds and arrange their care in suitable facilties. An appointment is recommended: call 646-306-2862. The problem with this policy: WBF telephone response is commonly poor. On the other hand, Rita McMahon, WBF principal, lives very near the 87th Street location and a very little bit of work in web-based white-pages will find her listed telephone number.... Wild Bird Fund does not charge for its services, but does solicit donations, which are tax-exempt under federal law. I confess, I find having only one string to my bow very nerve-wracking. Also there are things about the Wild Bird Fund and the two affiliated veterinary practices of which it is an offshoot that are — distressing. Say perhaps the organization is experiencing changes in its nature and until the dust settles, there are some reasons to have alternatives. A number of very good veterinarians will assist with rescued animals and charge more modest fees in such cases. Among these:
I know Drs. Starkey and Pesek very well. I know them both professionally and socially. I know Dr. Pilny less well, but as with the other two, he has seen both my house-birds and birds brought in for rehabilitation. Each is a masterful practitioner in an area of veterinary medicine which is particularly demanding and which attracts and keeps only the best. I know Dr. Malka only by reputation; it is a good one, and it comes through the other three.
The New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (NYSWRC — "Nice Work") is the principle association of wildlife rehabilitators in New York State. It represents about a third to a half of licensees, the most active and the most skilled of the state's rehabilitators. NYSWRC offers a find-a-rehabilitator web page (opens a new tab or window). New York State's Department of Environmental Conservation publishes a list of those state-licensed rehabilitators who wish to be on it; this is not posted publicly, but Wildlife in Tribeca has developed an electronic version for Long Island, the five boroughs of New York City and the counties just north of the city. Click here to open a new tab or window for that listing in PDF format. New Jersey publishes comprehensive lists of state licensed rehabilitators. Click here to open a new tab or window with a listing by New Jersey county. Connecticut wildlife rehabilitators are most effectively found through the Connecticut Wildlife Rehabilitators Association. Click here to access a short list of Connecticut wildlife rehabilitators in a new tab or window. The links here connect to how-tos; these should be regarded as short-term guidance (even if otherwise presented). Caring for wildlife is not simple; you are very welcome to join the community of those who help, but you will be more successful if you connect with a rehabilitator who will help you. WiT recommends the Wild Bird Fund for birds and small mammals for such mentoring. If you rescue a bird that is not a pigeon, sparrow or starling, almost certainly it is protected by both federal and state law; you are obligated to transfer it to a federally licensed rehabilitator. If you rescue protected native wildlife, New York state law specifically forbids keeping such animals as pets. [These links open a new window or tab.]
If you see a wild animal (not dogs or cats, feral or domestic) in distress: Call the New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation police: 1-877-457-5680 (this is a central dispatch number). In city parks, you can also call 311; you prefer a ranger to a parks policeperson. |