§ 20-2D-1 — Purpose

The purposes of this article are to:

(1) Establish a program within the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Section for the short-term rehabilitation and subsequent release of orphaned, sick, and injured wildlife, by authorized persons, including standards for such program.

(2) Establish a wildlife rehabilitation permit system to include criteria for issuing permits to persons to provide for the care, treatment, and release of orphaned, sick, or injured wildlife. The permit process shall be designed to ensure all persons engaged in rehabilitation of wildlife are qualified, undergo periodic training, house wildlife under proper conditions, provide a high level of humane care for wildlife, and are protected as much as is possible from injury caused by wildlife or from contracting or spreading disease that may be carried by wildlife.