Wildlife Rehabilitator

Carolina Wildlife Care offers a series of introductory wildlife rehabilitation training classes for wildlife rehabilitators and animal care professionals.  The Center provides training for new and seasoned home-based wildlife rehabilitators, veterinary technicians, shelter workers, or anyone involved in the animal care profession.  Classes are taught by CWC staff and experienced rehabilitators.

Each class is 2 hours (except Songbird class) and space is limited.  Class registration fee is required with application to secure spot.  Refunds are given for cancellations with 48 hour notice. 

The following classes are being offered this season at Carolina Wildlife Care’s wildlife rehabilitation center in Columbia, SC.

2010 Animal Care Training Schedule

Overview to Squirrel Care
March 27th - 11:00 am
August 21st- 11:00 am

Care of the Awesome Opossum
April 10th - 11:00 am
May 29th - 11:00 am

Rehabilitating the Eastern Cottontail
April 3rd - 9:00 am
May 22nd - 9:00 am

Raising Fawns to Be Wild
May 22nd - 11:00 am

Introduction to Songbird Rehabilitation
April 24th -9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Description of Classes Available

Overview to Squirrel Care
This class details both the feeding techniques and the different stages of development for SC’s most common tree squirrel, the eastern gray squirrel. Discussion includes squirrel anatomy, the importance of appropriate housing, diet and nutrition and more. Frequently occurring problems and illnesses for squirrels both in captivity and in the wild are examined and appropriate ways to deal with them are addressed. The class also briefly examines the importance of squirrels to the environment and how to deal with some of the "nuisance" issues associated with them.

Care of the Awesome Opossum
Learn to rehabilitate North America's only marsupial the Virginia Opossum. This wonderful class takes you step by step through the tube feeding process for infants and reviews the most common orphan care problems and their solutions including dehydration, bloat, and diarrhea. The nutritional needs of adult opossums and the diseases resulting from an improper diet are also addressed. Preparing for release, release criteria and selecting a release site are other topics of discussion. The class will address the importance of opossums to the environment and how to deal with some of the most frequently occurring public concerns with them.

Rehabilitating the Eastern Cottontail
Bunnies are some of the most delicate creatures admitted to rehabilitators. This class will take you step-by-step through bunny rehabilitation with primary focus on juvenile rabbits. Participants will learn two different techniques for feeding young bunnies; tube feeding and syringe feeding. The anatomy and physiology of bunnies are reviewed as well as the importance of proper nutrition, lighting, and feeding schedules. The class addresses frequently occurring medical problems and concerns with bunnies and how to respond to them. Other topics covered include appropriate husbandry, introducing solids, preparing for release, and selecting the right release site.

Raising Fawns to be Wild
With any wildlife, it’s important to have a thorough understanding of how that animal actually lives in the wild, its diet and other natural habits. The goal of fawn rehabilitation is to replicate this as close as possible, so that the fawn is equipped with the skills it needs for a successful life after release. This class examines the basics of fawn rehabilitation, housing needs, diet and nutrition, common illness, as well as discusses methods used to minimize habituation and keep the fawns wild for a successful release.

Introduction to Songbird Rehabilitation
This class examines the basic care of the most common songbirds in South Carolina from hatchling to adult.  Special consideration is given to the care and nutritional requirements of juvenile songbirds.  Diets, husbandry, and release considerations are closely examined.  Hours for this class can be used towards fulfilling the requirements in obtaining a federal permit, but it does not license a person to begin the rehabilitation of songbirds.  All migratory birds are federally protected by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and a federal permit is required for their rehabilitation.