Minnesota Administrative Rules

6244.0410 PERMIT CLASSES.

Subpart 1.

Scope.

There are three classes of wildlife rehabilitation permits, as outlined in subparts 2 to 4.

Subp. 2.

Novice class.

A.

Requirements:

(1)

must be at least 18 years of age;

(2)

must have experience at handling and caring for animals according to criteria established by the commissioner in part 6244.0420, subpart 3;

(3)

must pass a written test for the novice class with a score of at least 80 percent;

(4)

must maintain satisfactory applicable facility requirements as described in parts 6244.0440 and 6244.0900;

(5)

must identify a licensed veterinarian who has agreed to assist and consult with the applicant on the treatment and care of animals being rehabilitated; and

(6)

must have at all times a master level permit holder who has agreed to act as an advisor/mentor for the applicant.

B.

Privileges:

(1)

may possess an orphaned, sick, or injured wild animal up to 48 hours for transport to another novice, general, or master class permittee authorized to possess for rehabilitation the particular animal, or to a licensed veterinarian;

(2)

may provide emergency care for a sick or injured wild animal designated on the permit and transport within 48 hours to a general or master class permittee authorized to possess for rehabilitation the particular animal, or to a licensed veterinarian;

(3)

may possess for rehabilitation only healthy orphaned wild animals subject to the following restrictions:

(a)

no possession for rehabilitation is allowed of any species of endangered or threatened wild animal other than for transport or emergency care as described in subitems (1) and (2);

(b)

no possession for rehabilitation is allowed of any species of bird belonging to the orders Falconiformes (hawks, eagles, harriers, osprey, and falcons) and Strigiformes (owls); and

(c)

the only mammals that may be possessed for rehabilitation are those belonging to the orders Lagomorpha (rabbits and hares) and Rodentia (squirrels, pocket gophers, rats, mice, voles, lemmings, beaver, and porcupine); and

(4)

may designate no more than five persons as in-shelter assistants who may work in the facility of the permittee to assist with care and feeding of animals being rehabilitated. The permittee is responsible to notify the wildlife section, in writing, of the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of in-shelter assistants.

Subp. 3.

General class.

A.

Requirements:

(1)

must be at least 18 years of age;

(2)

must have been a novice class permit holder for at least two years;

(3)

as a novice class permit holder, must demonstrate ongoing animal rehabilitation activities;

(4)

as a novice class permit holder, must have successfully completed continuing education and training as defined in parts 6244.0700 and 6244.1600;

(5)

must pass a written test for the general class with a score of at least 80 percent;

(6)

must maintain satisfactory applicable facility requirements based on criteria as described in parts 6244.0440 and 6244.0900;

(7)

must identify a licensed veterinarian who has agreed to assist and consult with the applicant on the treatment and care of animals being rehabilitated; and

(8)

must have a letter from the applicant's advisor at the novice class recommending the applicant for a general class permit.

B.

Privileges:

(1)

may possess an orphaned, sick, or injured wild animal up to 48 hours for transport to a novice, general, or master class permittee authorized to possess for rehabilitation the particular animal, or to a licensed veterinarian;

(2)

may provide emergency care for a sick or injured wild animal designated on the permit and transport within 48 hours to another general or master class permittee authorized to possess for rehabilitation the particular animal, or to a licensed veterinarian;

(3)

may possess for rehabilitation healthy orphaned, sick, or injured wild animals, subject to the following restrictions:

(a)

no possession is allowed of any species of endangered or threatened wild animal other than for transport or emergency care as described in this subitem and subitem (2);

(b)

except for American kestrels, no bird belonging to the order Falconiformes may be possessed for rehabilitation;

(c)

except for saw-whet and screech owls, no bird belonging to the order Strigiformes may be possessed for rehabilitation; and

(d)

except for deer and bear, as specifically authorized in the permit, no species of big game may be possessed for rehabilitation; and

(4)

may designate no more than ten persons as in-shelter assistants who may work in the facility of the permittee to assist with care and feeding of animals being rehabilitated. The permittee is responsible to notify the wildlife section, in writing, of the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of in-shelter assistants.

Subp. 4.

Master class.

A.

Requirements:

(1)

must be at least 18 years of age;

(2)

must have been a general class permit holder for at least four years;

(3)

as a general class permit holder, must have demonstrated ongoing animal rehabilitation activities;

(4)

as a general class permit holder, must have successfully completed continuing education and training as defined in parts 6244.0700 and 6244.1600;

(5)

must pass a written test for the master class with a score of at least 80 percent;

(6)

must maintain satisfactory applicable facility requirements as described in parts 6244.0440 and 6244.0900; and

(7)

must identify a licensed veterinarian who has agreed to assist and consult with the applicant on the treatment and care of animals being rehabilitated.

B.

Privileges:

(1)

may possess an orphaned, sick, or injured wild animal up to 48 hours for transport to a novice, general, or master class permittee authorized to possess for rehabilitation the particular animal, or to a licensed veterinarian;

(2)

may provide emergency care for a sick or injured wild animal and transport within 48 hours to a general or master class permittee authorized to possess for rehabilitation the particular animal, or to a licensed veterinarian;

(3)

may possess for rehabilitation healthy orphaned, sick, or injured wild animals, subject to the following restrictions:

(a)

except as may be specifically authorized in the permit, no possession is allowed of any species of endangered or threatened wild animal other than for transport or emergency care as described in subitems (1) and (2); and

(b)

except for deer and bear, as specifically authorized in the permit, no species of big game may be possessed for rehabilitation;

(4)

may serve voluntarily as an advisor of novice permit holders. Master class permit holders who desire to serve as advisors to novice class permittees must:

(a)

submit a written request to the commissioner requesting designation as a novice advisor; and

(b)

have experience rehabilitating the species of animals that novice class permit holders are allowed to possess as described in subpart 2, item B, subitem (3), units (b) and (c); and

(5)

may designate no more than 15 persons as in-shelter assistants who may work in the facility of the permittee to assist with care and feeding of animals being rehabilitated. The permittee is responsible to notify the wildlife section, in writing, of the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of in-shelter assistants.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 97A.401; 97A.418

History:

20 SR 2291(NO. 43); 22 SR 292

Published Electronically:

October 3, 2013