Anyone caring for injured wildlife in Buffalo must hold a New York DEC wildlife rehabilitator license under Environmental Conservation Law Section 11-0515; unlicensed possession of native birds, mammals, or reptiles is prohibited even with rescue intent.
New York Environmental Conservation Law Section 11-0515 and 6 NYCRR Part 184 require a DEC-issued wildlife rehabilitator license to possess injured or orphaned native wildlife. Buffalo residents finding injured animals must contact a licensed rehabilitator or DEC Region 9; well-meaning unlicensed care violates state law and can spread rabies vector species disease. Migratory birds require a separate USFWS sub-permit. Rabies vector species, including raccoons, skunks, and bats, have additional handling rules and must be declined by rehabilitators without specific endorsements. Erie County Health receives all suspected rabies exposures; the Buffalo Animal Shelter does not accept wildlife.
DEC violations under New York ECL Section 71-0925, federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act charges for protected species, and mandatory surrender or euthanasia of held wildlife.
Buffalo, NY
New York Department of Environmental Conservation classifies coyotes as game with a regulated season; Buffalo prohibits firearm discharge citywide, so urban ...
Buffalo, NY
Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and New York Environmental Conservation Law Section 11-0535 protect nearly all wild birds in Buffalo; nest disturbance duri...
See how Buffalo's wildlife rescue permits rules stack up against other locations.
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