Caring for Texas Wildlife ... One Animal at a Time
STATE and FEDERAL PROTECTIONS
Both the State and Federal governments have strict guidelines that we, at TWRC, must abide by. This includes how we operate the shelter - for instance, our cat, Norah, had to be formally approved as she is a domestic animal and you cannot mix domestic and wildlife - and how we approach triage and rehabilitation of the animals brought to us.
State and federal laws protect nearly all wild mammals and birds. It is against the law to keep, which the government refers to as 'kidnap', a baby or adult bird or animal as a pet. It is against the law to possess the animal or bird or the nests, feathers, or eggs of protected species without special permits.
While the following list generally includes animals that we receive at TWRC, it is not all-inclusive.Any threatened or endangered species of animals are protected, and require special permissions for extended rehabilitative care.
UNPROTECTED
PROTECTED
State and/or federal permits
are required to care for these
animals and birds
Birds:
§House sparrows
§European starlings
§Rock doves (Pigeons)
§Other exotic, non-native species
§Domestic animals, including chickens, certain species of quail, and domestic ducks
