San Jose, CA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Rescue Permits (2026)

Injured, sick, and orphaned wild animals may be temporarily possessed for rehabilitation by a person in California under a Native Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit issued by CDFW. Trained wildlife rehabilitators provide treatment and care of these animals for the purpose of their release, in a condition of good health, to suitable habitat in the wild. Wildlife rehabilitators have an important role in the conservation of native wildlife.

Important Wild animals rarely require human help. Attempts to approach or handle wildlife can cause serious injury or harm to you and/or the animal. There are certain situations where a wild animal may benefit from human intervention such as visible injury. DO NOT intervene without proper guidance from a trained professional (i.e., capture, handle, confine, feed/water). DO NOT drop off wild animals at a location, unless instructed to do so. Contact a CDFW Office or a wildlife rehabilitation facility. Wildlife rehabilitators are NOT "on call" (24/7). They often work out of their homes. Wildlife rehabilitators operate with limited resources. Be considerate when asking for help. Wildlife rehabilitators usually rely on others to transport animals to them. Wildlife rehabilitators may limit the number or species of animals they can accept.