The ideas below came from Wildlife Rehabbers themselves (developed into this final structure of a ‘Snapshot Presentation’ and a ‘Supporting Evidence Folder’) over 3 online meetings in 2024….
Here are the 3 main questions that were brought up in the meetings & answered (by Rehabbers themselves)…
ONE…
‘HOW CAN WILDLIFE REHABBERS TRUST IN THEMSELVES AS WILDLIFE REHABILITATION PROFESSIONALS?’
Put the time in… Training and learning as much as possible and working or volunteering at an established, high welfare Rescue, as much as possible - in advance.
Mentors… Have a great network that enables you to keep feeling supported and to keep reminding you that you’re capable. [In a predominantly unregulated wildlife rescue industry, mentors that you can confidently trust in could be: a WCB Holder, the support of a large Wildlife Rescue (with Vets either on site or regularly visiting the site) or just another fab Rehabber with a great relationship with their own Vet.
TWO…
‘HOW CAN WILDLIFE REHABBERS KNOW WHEN THEY HAVE ENOUGH KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE TO BE ABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY REHAB AT A HIGH WELFARE STANDARD?’
How can a new Rehabber know when they have enough knowledge/experience to start rehabbing independently?
Mentors advise you that you are ready (see the recommendation about mentors above).
Ensure that you know and perhaps even have copies of all the relevant legislation pertaining to running a rescue and wildlife rights/care.
Have all the most up to date ‘best practices & policies’ to hand (these could come from Rescues and other organisations who are willing to share practices and policies with you, to support you to get set up, right from the start, to the best possible standard).
Have books like the BSAVA Wildlife Manual, ‘Practical Wildlife Care’, the SWWR’s ‘Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation & Release’ book and others.
THREE…
'HOW CAN A REHABBER ENABLE A VET PRACTICE TO TRUST THEM, TO START A NEW WORKING RELATIONSHIP (OR TO PERHAPS RENEW A STRUGGLING WORKING RELATIONSHIP)…?'
The answer comes in 2 parts: a ’Snapshot Presentation/Document’ and ‘A Folder Of Supporting Evidence’…
‘SNAPSHOT: A SHORT PRESENTATION/DOCUMENT’
A ‘snapshot document’ (in similar length to a standard CV) presenting yourself and all of your strengths, as the Wildlife Rehab Professional that you are….
PART ONE: INTRODUCING YOURSELF…. ‘How I Got Started…’
PART TWO: PRESENTING WHAT EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE…. Training / Knowledge / Hours Of Volunteering Experience / Resources - Memberships/Books .
PART THREE: MY PREMISES / EQUIPMENT - PHOTOS… [A small collage of photos of your premises & equipment that might take up half an A4 page.]
PART FOUR: SHARING A BIT MORE ABOUT MYSELF: My Background & Why This Means So Much To Me (Why Wildlife Rehabilitation Is Important To Me)…
PART FIVE: CERTIFICATES… [A small collage of photos of certificates that might take up half an A4 page]
‘SUPPORTING EVIDENCE: A FOLDER’
In the ‘Folder’ all of the paperwork and proof is provided in much greater detail to prove your training, experience and professionalism…. It would contain…
Copies of all training certificates from any courses (in person or online) that you may have done.
If you're a new Rescue/Rehabber, feature references from any Wildlife Rescues that you may have worked/volunteered at. [If you have worked/volunteered on specific cases, see if you can get copies of any records and treatment plans to show that you understand what is necessary to provide appropriate rehabilitative care.]
As many up to date photos of your premises and equipment as possible (including any books you may have).
Copies of any policies you have in place, to run your Wildlife Rescue.
Print outs of the type of record keeping documents you will using as well as printed templates to create treatment plans.
Whether you're a new Rehabber or an experienced Rescue that's looking to renew a Vet relationship, share positive stories about your experience so far (showing what a great & knowledgable Rescue/Rehabber you are) with pictures of any cases included, if appropriate.
--------------
HOW CAN THE WCB HELP WILDLIFE REHABBERS TO START VET/REHABBER RELATIONSHIPS?
TEMPLATE DOCUMENTS…. We can provide template documents for Admission Records & Treatment/Care Plans.
MENTORING & WORK EXPERIENCE…. Get in touch and we’ll do our best to find you a mentor and recommend some Rescues that you can volunteer at, at a minimum.
TRAINING…. The WCB runs free webinars on a range of topics throughout the year, check them out HERE.
KNOWLEDGE CONFIDENCE…. Even if you’re not ready to be a WCB Holder yet - or even don’t want to be a WCB Holder yet/ever - you’re welcome to sit our WCB Knowledge Assessment, to be in a position to prove your knowledge to the Vet that you’re approaching. Everyone who passes the KA can have a certificate, emailed to them.