Wildlife rehabilitation in Madison requires a Wisconsin DNR Class A or Class B rehabber license under Wis. Admin. Code ch. NR 19. City ordinances bar private possession of native wildlife without state authorization or federal permits.
Wisconsin DNR issues two-tier wildlife rehabilitation licenses: Class A (basic species) and Class B (raptors, large mammals) under Wis. Admin. Code ch. NR 19. Federally protected species require U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Migratory Bird Treaty Act permits. Madison General Ordinances Ch. 9 prohibits keeping native wildlife as pets without DNR authorization. UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine and Dane County Humane Society Wildlife Center handle most regional intakes. Rehabbers must release recovered animals at qualifying habitat sites and report intake/outcome data annually to DNR; euthanasia of non-releasable animals follows AVMA standards.
Unlicensed wildlife possession brings DNR forfeitures plus city Ch. 9 charges, totaling roughly $300-$2,000; federal violations add U.S. Fish & Wildlife penalties.
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