Possession or rehabilitation of injured wildlife in Nassau County requires a New York State wildlife rehabilitator license issued by NYSDEC; well-meaning residents may not legally keep injured wild animals at home.
New York Environmental Conservation Law section 11-0515 requires anyone rehabilitating native wildlife to hold a NYSDEC wildlife rehabilitator license, which involves a written exam, references, and approved facilities. Nassau County residents who find injured animals should contact licensed rehabilitators listed by NYSDEC Region 1 or call the Volunteers for Wildlife center in Locust Valley. Possessing wildlife without a license, even temporarily, is illegal and can spread rabies vector diseases. Specialty endorsements are required for raptors, marine mammals, and rabies vector species such as raccoons, skunks, and bats. Federal permits are also required for migratory birds.
Unlicensed possession of wildlife is a violation of ECL with fines up to two hundred fifty dollars per animal plus potential federal charges for migratory species.
Nassau County, NY
Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and New York Environmental Conservation Law protect nearly all native birds, nests, and eggs in Nassau County; permits are ...
Nassau County, NY
Long Island's growing coyote population is managed by the New York State DEC; Nassau residents may not trap or kill coyotes outside hunting seasons, but hazi...
See how Nassau County's wildlife rescue permits rules stack up against other locations.
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