Santa Ana, CA Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Rescue Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Regulation
- Title 14 CCR 679
- Permit issuer
- CDFW
- Closest center
- Wetlands and Wildlife, HB
- Citation
- Up to 1000 dollars
Summary
California Fish and Wildlife requires rehabilitators to hold a state permit before keeping injured native wildlife. Santa Ana residents finding hurt birds or mammals should contact OC Animal Care or a permitted facility rather than attempting to nurse the animal at home.
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. [...] Wild animals rarely require human help. Attempts to approach or handle wildlife can cause serious injury or harm to you and/or the animal. DO NOT intervene without proper guidance from a trained professional (i.e., capture, handle, confine, feed/water).
Full Breakdown
California Code of Regulations Title 14 section 679 governs wildlife rehabilitation, and only individuals holding a CDFW Memorandum of Understanding or wildlife rehabilitation permit may possess injured native wildlife beyond brief transport. Santa Ana residents who find injured raptors, songbirds, opossums, or other native species should call OC Animal Care or transport the animal to a permitted facility such as the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach. Casual home rehab is illegal and almost always fatal to the animal because of stress, improper diet, and zoonotic risk to the family. Rehabbers also need vet supervision and adequate caging space.
Violations & Fines
Possessing native wildlife without a permit is a misdemeanor with fines up to 1000 dollars and possible animal seizure by CDFW wardens, plus civil exposure for any zoonotic disease spread.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I find a baby bird?
Can I keep a wild animal as a pet?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Ana
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Ana to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Wildlife Rescue Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Orange County handle wildlife rescue permits.