Wildlife rehabilitators in Westchester County must hold a NY Department of Environmental Conservation license under 6 NYCRR Part 184 to legally possess and treat injured native wildlife species.
Under NY Environmental Conservation Law Article 11 and 6 NYCRR Part 184, wildlife rehabilitators must pass a DEC examination and be licensed before housing or treating native birds, mammals, reptiles, or amphibians. Federally protected migratory birds also require US Fish and Wildlife Service permits. Westchester rehabilitators often work through partnerships with veterinarians. Unlicensed possession of injured wildlife, even with good intentions, is illegal and can spread disease. WCDOH coordinates rabies vector species protocols. Licensed rehabilitators can be found through the DEC region 3 office or online directories.
Possessing protected wildlife without a rehabilitator license violates ECL Article 11 with fines up to 250 dollars per animal plus possible misdemeanor charges and animal seizure.
Westchester County, NY
Westchester County operates as a welcoming jurisdiction. County Executive orders limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement absent a judicial war...
Westchester County, NY
Westchester employees are covered by NY Paid Family Leave under NY Workers Compensation Law Section 200 plus, NY Paid Sick Leave under NY Labor Law Section 1...
Westchester County, NY
Westchester County is part of the NY downstate region with a minimum wage of $16.50 per hour as of 2025, indexed to inflation under NY Labor Law Section 651....
Westchester County, NY
Westchester County does not levy its own business income tax. Businesses pay NY State franchise tax, county and city sales tax totaling about 8.375 percent, ...
Westchester County, NY
New York imposes a 1 percent mansion tax on residential sales of $1 million or more under NY Tax Law Section 1402-a. The tax is paid by the buyer at closing ...
Westchester County, NY
When a Westchester hotel changes ownership or management, NY Labor Law and union contracts generally require the incoming employer to retain the existing wor...
See how Westchester County's wildlife rescue permits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.