Establishing requirements for wildlife rehabilitation and providing wildlife rehabilitator permit

SB 290 establishes a permit system for wildlife rehabilitators in West Virginia, requiring applicants to have certification from the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council or be a licensed veterinarian, pass a background check, maintain facilities meeting national standards, and provide a letter of competence from a qualified professional. The bill authorizes licensed veterinarians, humane societies, and animal control agencies to provide emergency care for orphaned, injured, or ill wildlife without a permit for up to 48 hours, after which the wildlife must be transferred to a permit holder. It mandates detailed record-keeping for all wildlife care, prohibits taming wildlife, and allows non-releasable wildlife to be used in educational programs or transferred to zoological facilities. The bill also sets procedures for facility inspections and permits the division to remove wildlife from a rehabilitator who fails to meet standards after 14 days to correct deficiencies.