| The Costs of Being a Rehabilitator | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| At the League's Introduction to Wildlife Rehabilitation class on October 3rd, 1998,
we presented some information to participants regarding the cost-in time and money-of being a wildlife rehabilitator.
In preparation for the presentation, WRL surveyed a few local rehabilitators-both experienced and apprentice-and came up with the accompanying estimates (remember that these figures aren't necessarily representative of all rehabilitators).
Hours per week spent in actual rehabilitation and direct supporting activities (phone calls, travel, etc.) The survey also asked rehabbers to estimate their startup and recurring expenses. Wildlife rehabilitators are volunteers, and their work is not publicly funded-nor can expenses be deducted as charitable contributions from taxable income. On the other hand, there are many sources of donated and low-cost items that rehabilitators can utilize to help reduce their costs. Some suggestions for controlling your costs are listed below. Again, the data provided here are not necessarily representative of all rehabilitators. Items frequently donated to or purchased by the Wildlife Rescue League and made available to rehabilitators include: food (such as bird seed, dog food, mealworms, and milk replacer formula), lactated ringers solution, heating pads, pet carriers and cages, towels, sheets, and blankets, dietary supplements, and syringes and nipples. There are several ways that rehabilitators can reduce their costs. These include: • network with others, especially in regard to cages that are no longer needed and for sources of low-cost supplies • visit yard sales, flea markets, and thrift shops • order by mail from vet supply and equipment companies • build your own cages |
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