Based on NWRA/IWRC Minimum Standards for Wildlife Rehabilitation. Walk through every requirement before your official state inspection — and check items off as you go.
Inspection Readiness0%
Check off items as you complete them. Aim for 100% before requesting your inspection.
⚠ How to Use This Checklist
This checklist reflects the NWRA/IWRC Minimum Standards — the baseline used by most U.S. state agencies. Your state may have additional requirements beyond these minimums. Always cross-reference with your specific state agency's published standards before your inspection. This checklist is a preparation tool, not a guarantee of approval.
🏗 Section 1: Outdoor Enclosures — Structure & Construction
Hardware cloth used for walls and ceiling — not chicken wire. Minimum gauge: 16 AWG for small animals, 14 AWG for mid-size.
Inspectors know the difference on sight. Chicken wire fails immediately.
Enclosure floor area meets species minimum — measure and confirm against NWRA/IWRC standards for each species you're applying for.
Common minimums: squirrel 2'×2'×4'; songbird 3'×3'×3'; hawk 8'×8'×16' flight cage.
Enclosure height meets species minimum — height matters especially for birds requiring flight conditioning.
Predator-proof top/roof installed — wire roof or solid roof covering entire enclosure footprint. No open-top enclosures for overnight housing.
Predator barrier at ground level — either a concrete footer, buried wire apron (12–18" outward), or hardware cloth floor preventing digging access.
No sharp wire edges or protrusions inside enclosure — all cut ends folded or covered. Animals can fatally injure themselves on exposed wire ends.
Secure latch on door/access panel — latches animals cannot open from inside. Double-latching recommended for intelligent species (ravens, raccoons if authorized).
Enclosure labeled with intended species (helpful for inspectors and for your own records during busy season).
💧 Section 2: Drainage, Ventilation & Environmental Control
Outdoor enclosures drain properly — no standing water within 24 hours of rain. Gravel, sand base, or sloped ground prevents pooling.
Standing water is a disease vector and a common inspection failure.
Shade available in outdoor enclosures — partial shade from roof, shade cloth, or natural canopy for species susceptible to heat stress.
Indoor holding area ventilated — fresh air circulation without drafts. Animals recovering from injury are particularly vulnerable to respiratory stress.
Heat source available for juveniles and cold-compromised animals — heating pad set to low with towel cover, or heat lamp with proper guard.
🫙 Section 3: Water Access by Species Type
Small mammals: fresh water provided daily in heavy ceramic or attached bottle to prevent spillage.
Songbirds: shallow water dish — maximum 1" depth for small birds. Changed daily. Positioned so bird can reach but not drown.
Raptors: water for drinking and bathing — dish large enough for bathing, positioned at appropriate height, changed every 1–2 days.
Waterfowl: pool large enough for preening and waterproofing — minimum 18" diameter and 8" deep for ducks and geese. This is a hard requirement; insufficient water for waterfowl causes feather degradation and mortality.
This is one of the most commonly underestimated requirements for waterfowl rehabilitation.
Water containers cleaned and disinfected weekly minimum, more frequently during hot weather or when multiple animals share a dish.
🔀 Section 4: Species Separation
Predator and prey species physically separated — not just caged separately but out of visual and olfactory range where feasible.
Different species not co-housed unless specifically appropriate (same-species grouping for socialization is acceptable and often beneficial for juvenile mammals).
Juveniles isolated from adults of the same or other species to prevent injury and to manage imprinting risk.
New intakes isolated from established animals for a minimum observation period (typically 48–72 hours) before grouping.
🧹 Section 5: Sanitation Equipment & Protocol
Appropriate disinfectant on hand — diluted bleach (1:32 ratio for routine sanitation), or veterinary-grade disinfectant. Check concentration; too weak doesn't sanitize.
Separate cleaning equipment per species area — brushes, scrapers, and mop heads not shared between predator and prey enclosure areas.
Written cleaning schedule — daily tasks (food dishes, water), weekly tasks (full enclosure scrub), monthly tasks (deep clean and disinfection).
Waste disposal method documented — feces, soiled bedding, and carcasses handled in a way that prevents disease spread and complies with local regulations.
📋 Section 6: Record-Keeping System
Intake form system in place — blank forms ready to use. Each form captures: date, species, age/sex estimate, condition at intake, how found, finder's contact.
Treatment log system — method for recording medications administered, dosages, dates, and by whom.
Disposition records — system for recording how each animal's case closed: released (date and location), transferred (to whom), died in care, euthanized.
Annual report forms available — have the required state (and federal if applicable) annual report forms downloaded and ready.
🩺 Section 7: Veterinary Relationship
Signed letter from veterinarian confirming willingness to provide care to rehabilitation animals. Letter should include vet's name, license number, and contact information.
Emergency veterinary contact posted — 24-hour emergency vet contact visible in the facility work area.
Basic first aid supplies on hand — wound wrap, saline, gloves, syringes. No controlled substances without appropriate facility licensure.
🦺 Section 8: Personal Safety & Zoonotic Disease Prevention
Bite-resistant gloves available for handling potentially dangerous or stressed animals.
Rabies pre-exposure vaccination current if you will be handling any potential rabies vector species (check your state's RVS policy).
Handwashing station accessible from work area. Soap and running water, or hand sanitizer with >60% alcohol as backup.
Children and pets excluded from animal work areas — protocol in place to prevent unauthorized contact with rehabilitation animals.
✅ Ready for Inspection?
If every item above is checked, you're in strong shape for your facility inspection. Two final steps: confirm your veterinary letter is signed, and call your state agency to schedule the inspection. Don't schedule until everything is ready — a failed inspection restarts the clock on processing time.
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Disclaimer: This checklist is based on the NWRA/IWRC Minimum Standards for Wildlife Rehabilitation and is provided for informational and preparation purposes only. Your state may have additional or different requirements. Always verify current standards with your state wildlife agency before your inspection. This site does not provide legal advice.