Wildlife Warriors

06/12/2026

I wanted to share an important update regarding the ongoing New World Screwworm (NWS) situation in Texas and its impact on wildlife rescue and rehabilitation efforts across the state.

The recent quarantine measures implemented by the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) are affecting the ability of wildlife rehabilitation organizations to receive certain wildlife species from designated counties. As conditions continue to evolve, animal care professionals, animal control officers, wildlife rehabilitators, veterinarians, and members of the public should exercise caution when responding to wildlife concerns.

At this time, it is critically important that healthy wildlife not be translocated or transported outside the county where it is found. Moving wildlife can contribute to disease and parasite spread, complicate regulatory compliance, and create additional challenges for wildlife rehabilitation providers already operating under quarantine restrictions.

The current restrictions affect warm-blooded wildlife species, including:

• Deer (white-tailed and axis)
• Rabbits
• Feral pigs
• Foxes
• Opossums
• Raccoons
• Skunks
• Mice and rats
• Squirrels
• All bird species, including waterfowl

Cold-blooded species such as turtles, tortoises, snakes, and lizards are not currently subject to these restrictions.

Because quarantine boundaries and response requirements may change as new information becomes available, wildlife rehabilitators throughout Texas may face limitations on animal intake from affected counties. Individuals who encounter injured wildlife should contact a permitted wildlife rehabilitator or veterinarian within their local area before transporting any animal. A statewide list of permitted wildlife rehabilitators can be found through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

For counties where rehabilitation resources are limited or unavailable, critically injured wildlife should be evaluated by a veterinarian within that county whenever possible.

Animal control agencies and wildlife responders are encouraged to prioritize public education and telephone guidance when appropriate, limit unnecessary handling of wildlife, and avoid relocation or transport unless specifically directed by wildlife authorities or veterinary professionals.

The New World Screwworm is a serious concern for wildlife, livestock, pets, and public agencies. However, early detection and prompt treatment can be effective. Continued cooperation among animal welfare organizations, wildlife rehabilitators, veterinarians, and regulatory agencies will be essential as Texas works to address this developing situation.

Please continue to monitor updates from the Texas Animal Health Commission and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for the latest guidance and county-specific restrictions.

Thank you for your commitment to protecting both wildlife and public health.

Sincerely,

Mark Sloat
Senior Principal, Urban Wildlife
Humane World for Animals

06/02/2026

When your too cute for words!!! Why do I have to feed myself lady!!! More please ❤️❤️❤️🦝🦝🦝

05/31/2026

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has proposed and advanced major structural overhauls to the state’s wildlife rehabilitation rules. While these administrative adjustments aim to address complex veterinary care, biosecurity, and wildlife health crises like Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and zoonotic spillover, they are creating significant waves among Texas rehab groups and independent caretakers.
These 2026 changes specifically target eligibility, tiered permissions based on experience, and stricter caps on subpermittees and satellite locations.
1. Stricter Hurdles for Subpermittees & Satellites
The structural adjustments tightly regulate who can handle wildlife and where, directly restricting how larger rehabilitation organizations leverage regional networks.
Caps on Satellites and Subs: The state is enforcing strict numerical limits on the number of subpermittees and home-based satellite facilities a primary permit holder can oversee.
The Single-Permittee Rule: Subpermittees are restricted to operating under exactly one primary permittee, and a subpermittee can register no more than one satellite facility.
Absolute Accountability: Primary permit holders are explicitly responsible for everything that happens under their permit, requiring documented oversight and regular facility visits.
The Direct Impact on Rehab Groups
For large organizations and centralized hubs, these caps mean their expansive foster network of home-rehabbers is getting squeezed. Many groups are warning that being forced to downsize their subpermittee rosters will leave them stretched thin, potentially forcing them to turn away injured or orphaned wildlife during peak baby seasons due to a lack of legal placement options.
2. A Shift to Tiered Supervisory Permissions
The state is moving away from a one-size-fits-all rehabilitation permit and introducing authorizations based heavily on years of experience.
Experience Barriers: Newer rehabbers will face tighter limits on the numbers, life stages, and species of wildlife they can intake. Supervisory permissions—such as the ability to sponsor subpermittees or operate complex facilities—will be gated behind mandatory multi-year experience milestones.
Revised Testing & Training: Both primary permit applicants and subpermittees face rigorous new testing, eligibility criteria, and specialized training frameworks to match the rising complexity of modern wildlife veterinary care.
The Direct Impact on Wildlife
In the long term, this elevates the baseline standard of care across the state, ensuring that highly complex trauma cases are handled by veteran rehabilitators. However, in the short term, it creates a steep bottleneck. With fewer highly experienced permittees legally allowed to supervise others, the influx of entry-level volunteers may struggle to find sponsors, shrinking the immediate workforce available to rescue animals.
3. Mandated Vet Alliances and Strict "Non-Releasable" Rules
Biosecurity and medical accountability are the core drivers behind the 2026 amendments, introducing a much heavier regulatory burden on daily operations.
Formal Veterinary Partnerships: Permittees must now legally document an ongoing relationship with a licensed veterinarian who advises the facility. Every medical treatment and vaccination plan must be vetted through this professional channel.
The Euthanasia Default for Non-Releasable Wildlife: The rules reinforce that wildlife incapable of surviving in the wild must be humanely euthanized. Keeping non-releasable animals is tightly restricted; permission to retain an animal for fostering, socialization, or education requires a formal veterinarian statement and is strictly reserved for rehabbers with at least three years of independent permitted experience.
The Direct Impact on Daily Operations
Rehabbers must now navigate formalized, administrative medical protocols for animals that used to be managed with standard, seasoned husbandry practices. While this protects native wildlife from sub-standard long-term captivity and mitigates disease outbreaks, it places an immense financial and administrative strain on non-profit groups that must secure consistent, dedicated veterinary oversight to remain compliant.

The Big Picture: The 2026 regulations treat wildlife rehabilitation less like a home-based volunteer passion and more like an extension of formal veterinary public health. While this shields Texas ecosystems from biosecurity threats, the immediate operational restrictions on subpermittees mean local groups are fighting an uphill battle to maintain their capacity to care for the state's injured animals.

05/31/2026

https://tpwd.texas.gov/business/permits/land/wildlife/rehab/proposed-changes-permits.phtml?fbclid=IwVERDUASIiwBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeVBXlOnyrvr5LSQLvOH1kxDvqmzNqkW9HlZ7iXODTXiopurDCBx8MMogbcUQ_aem_cnwX5d84QberG6ZL4uazIA

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has approved new rules to the wildlife rehabilitation program that will go into effect September 1, 2027. These new rules would ensure new rehabilitators are properly trained, tested, have access to mentors, and create a supervisory structure tied to experience.

05/26/2026

https://www.fox26houston.com/news/volunteer-wildlife-rehabilitators-say-proposed-texas-changes-could-mean-fewer-lives-saved?link_source=ta_first_comment&taid=6a1516179745b700016966a7&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwdGRjcASCBDtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEevnGDm3vKFWx8Hs4ZhxPIqJEGp3xcrrMOB6TtamUNKbdCSnCEdiXtdnyFkdc_aem_CHOuzWu2KYa7Oq0b9K65Rg

Volunteer wildlife rehabilitators say proposed changes the state wants to make could mean fewer lives saved.

05/26/2026

Nara ! Our leader fighting the fight for us!!!

05/23/2026

Texas Wildlife Rehabbers need our help! Please take 5 minutes and make a public comment to support Texas wildlife and their amazing caretakers!

Proposed Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) regulations threaten to cripple the state’s wildlife rehabilitation system by imposing heavy burdens on unpaid, home-based volunteers. These strict rules risk reducing essential, around-the-clock neonatal care, leading to fewer rescue placements and increased euthanasia of orphaned and injured wildlife.

The new proposals will also diminish an already depleted group of people and discourage anyone from considering to be a rehabilitator. Concerned citizens are urged to voice opposition to these changes before they are finalized.

Please click below and go to the bottom of the survey and click "disagree completely."

https://tpwd.texas.gov/business/feedback/public_comment/proposals/202605_wildlife_rehabilitation_rules.phtml

05/21/2026

https://c.org/YLsFkfLcBD

Please sign this petition and share. Anyone can sign it, we need your help…. If this goes through it will be devastating to the wildlife we are trying to save and help… ❤️

Protect wildlife rehabilitation in Texas

05/13/2026

Coming across an injured animal on the side of the road requires a calm, systematic approach to ensure both your safety and the welfare of the creature. First, assess the environment and pull over only if it is safe to do so, activating your hazard lights to alert other drivers. Before approaching, observe the animal from a distance to determine its species and the severity of its condition; wounded wildlife can be unpredictable and may bite or scratch out of fear. If the animal is small and manageable, you can gently place it in a well-ventilated box lined with a soft cloth, keeping it in a dark, quiet place to minimize shock. However, for larger or more dangerous animals, it is vital to avoid direct contact and instead contact local animal control or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator immediately. Providing the precise location and a description of the animal’s behavior will help professionals respond effectively and give the animal its best chance at recovery. This possum was on the side of a highway with injured feet. You can google wildlife rehabs near me, to locate help.

05/06/2026

Call the number allocated for your city and leave a message. They will call you back and arrange pick up.