1. (a) Permit. The department may issue a person a wildlife rehabilitation permit valid for 3 years from the date of issuance and may amend existing permits with the conditions it determines are necessary to protect native wildlife, animal welfare, human health or safety, and agriculture interests.

   1. (1) Limited Scope. A permit issued pursuant to this section does not supersede any law, or the need for any other applicable permit, license, or other entitlement. Permits issued under this section are non-transferrable between any person.
   2. (2) Qualifications. Any person who is a resident of the state of California pursuant to Fish and Game Code Section 70, can qualify for and be issued a permit if an applicant possesses the qualifications specified in subsections 679.3(a) through (c) and is at least 21 years of age.
   3. (3) Conferring. The department may confer with any person to verify information on the application, at any stage of the application process, and where applicable may require written proof of that information pursuant to Fish and Game Code subsection 1054(b). An applicant shall provide such information to the department in writing via email at [email protected] within 30 calendar days of the day the department sent the request for information, or the department shall deny the application.

   4. (4) Initial Request. A person seeking a wildlife rehabilitation permit shall first submit an initial request in writing to the department via email to [email protected] that includes the following information:

      1. (A) Copies of two letters stating there is a need for a new wildlife rehabilitation facility to increase local or regional capacity to possess rehabilitation animals, written within 12 months from the date of initial written request for a permit, on letterhead stationery listing the printed name, title, handwritten signature, or electronic signature in accordance with California Civil Code Section 1633.5(b), date of signature, and affiliation of the signatory.

         1. 1. One letter shall be submitted by a permittee possessing a valid permit or sub-permit.
         2. 2. The second letter shall be submitted by any of the following persons: a permittee possessing a valid wildlife rehabilitation permit; department staff, Regional Manager, or their designee; a veterinarian licensed in the State of California; or a duly authorized representative of a federal, tribal, state, or a local agency with jurisdiction over wildlife or animal care located in the same county or adjacent county to an applicant.
      2. (B) List of taxonomic groups or species of animal proposed to be temporarily possessed for the purposes of rehabilitation using the following categories: amphibian, reptile, bird, mammal.
      3. (C) Required Experience. Description of at least 1,000 hours experience of animal care, husbandry, and handling experience under the supervision of a permitted wildlife rehabilitator, their designee, or sub-permittee in California, completed within 5 years from the date of the initial approval request, or experience that the department determines to be equivalent as described herein.
      4. (D) The department shall provide approval or denial of the initial request pursuant to the requirements listed herein, in writing via email within 30 calendar days. No person shall temporarily possess a rehabilitation animal until the department has issued a permit pursuant to subsection 679.3(a).

   5. (5) Wildlife Rehabilitation Examination. Upon initial approval from the department, an applicant shall take the free California state wildlife rehabilitation examination via a password-protected html link provided in writing by the department. Alternatively, an applicant may request to the department via email at [email protected] or telephone at (916) 358-2790, to take the examination in person at the nearest department office.

      1. (A) For a new permit, an applicant and any proposed designee shall be required to take the wildlife rehabilitation examination. For an existing permit, a proposed sub-permittee and any proposed designee, shall be required to take the wildlife rehabilitation examination.

      2. (B) An applicant shall correctly answer at least 80 percent of the questions to pass the examination.

         1. 1. An applicant who completes the examination will be provided with written documentation by the department with the results of the examination. A passing score shall be valid for 1 year from the date of completion of the examination.
         2. 2. An applicant who fails the examination may submit a request to the department in writing via email at [email protected] to retake the examination no sooner than 30 calendar days from the date of the failed examination. An applicant may take the examination up to three times; if an applicant fails to pass the examination by the third attempt, or within 1 year from date of initial approval, the department shall rescind initial approval of the permit request. An applicant may restart the initial approval process no sooner than 1 year from the date of the last failed examination.

      3. (C) Unauthorized Communication, Publication, and Sharing; Penalties.

         1. 1. An applicant who either: while taking the examination, communicates with any other person other than a department employee administering the examination; or publishes or shares, or assists in the publication or sharing, of the specific contents of an examination question or answer in any way, shall fail the examination and may not apply to obtain a permit for a period of 5 years from the date the applicant took the examination.
         2. 2. The department shall revoke any rehabilitation permit issued to a permittee who, while taking the examination as an applicant, violates the foregoing subsection. The permittee may apply to obtain a new permit no less than 5 years from the date of the revocation but shall retake and successfully pass the examination before a new permit is issued. This action shall be subject to reconsideration as described in subsection 679.9(e).
         3. 3. Any person who publishes or shares, or assists in the publication or sharing, of the specific contents of an examination question or answer, shall be liable, in addition to any other applicable civil or criminal damage or penalty, for all costs incurred by the department in creating a new examination or examination question if the department, in its sole discretion, determines that creating a new examination or examination question is necessary because of the publication or sharing.
      4. (D) Examination Content. The basic wildlife rehabilitation examination shall test applicants on general wildlife rehabilitation concepts, standard rehabilitation practices, species-specific rehabilitation techniques, diseases of concern in California, the life history of California native wildlife and other species that may be rehabilitated, ethical codes of conduct, applicable laws, and any other wildlife rehabilitation-related topics that the department determines are necessary to know and understand. It shall consist of 50 definitions, multiple-choice, and true-false questions; and applicants shall be allowed up to 120 minutes to complete it. The specialty rehabilitation examination shall test applicants on the general wildlife rehabilitation concepts, standard rehabilitation practices, species-specific rehabilitation techniques, diseases of concern in California, the life history of California native wildlife species of specialty rehabilitation animals that may be rehabilitated, ethical codes of conduct, applicable laws, and any other wildlife rehabilitation-related topics that the department determines are relevant with respect to the specialty rehabilitation authorization(s) the applicant is seeking. It shall consist of 30 definitions, multiple-choice, and true-false questions; and applicants shall be allowed up to 90 minutes to complete it.

   6. (6) Final Approval. An applicant who has received initial approval from the department and passed the wildlife rehabilitation examination as described in subsection 679.3(a)(5), may submit an application packet with the required fees to the department via the U.S. Postal Service or other postal carrier to the department's License and Revenue Branch, P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244 that shall contain the following required documentation.

      1. (A) Wildlife rehabilitation permit application, in a form provided by the department, that shall include the following information:

         1. 1. Applicant and Facility Information. Full name, date of birth, physical address, mailing address if different, telephone number, email address, Automated License Data System (ALDS) Get Outdoors ID (GO ID) or a required form of identification listed pursuant to subsection 700.4(c) for the department to create an ALDS customer profile for the applicant; facility name if applicable, facility physical address, facility mailing address if different, facility telephone number, facility email address, and facility website if applicable.

         2. 2. Required Experience. Description of at least 1,000 hours of animal care, husbandry, and handling experience under the supervision of a permitted wildlife rehabilitator in California, or their sub-permittee or designee, completed within 5 years from the date of the initial approval request; or experience that the department determines to be equivalent in California, including start dates and end dates. An applicant shall provide the name, affiliation, telephone number, email, and mailing address of relevant references that the department may contact to verify such experience.

            1. a. The department may consider one credit hour of education in veterinary medicine, biological sciences, wildlife rehabilitation, or similar courses as a substitute for one hour of experience, up to 300 hours of the required experience based on: the number of hours of education and topic of the curriculum; completion of a certificate, degree, or similar qualification; if the education was obtained at an accredited institution or program recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; and submission of relevant original transcript(s) if applicable.

         3. 3. Designee Information (if applicable). Full name, date of birth, physical address, mailing address if different, telephone number, email address.

            1. a. Required Experience. Description of at least 500 hours of animal care, husbandry, and handling experience under the supervision of a permitted wildlife rehabilitator in California, or their sub-permittee or designee, completed within 5 years from the date of the initial approval request; or experience that the department determines to be equivalent in California, including start dates and end dates. An applicant shall provide the name, affiliation, telephone number, email, and mailing address of relevant references that the department may contact to verify such experience of the designee.
            2. b. The department may consider one credit hour of education in veterinary medicine, biological sciences, wildlife rehabilitation, or similar courses as a substitute for one hour of experience, up to 100 hours of the required experience based on: the number of hours of education and topic of the curriculum; completion of a certificate, degree, or similar qualification; if the education was obtained at an accredited institution or program recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; and submission of relevant original transcript(s) if applicable.
         4. 4. Public Contact Information. Telephone number, email address, physical address, and website, if applicable, of the proposed facility that the department will provide as a resource to the public on the department's website at http://wildlife.ca.gov/wildliferehab.
         5. 5. Rehabilitation Animals. Maximum number of rehabilitation animals that are proposed to be temporarily possessed at the proposed facility in the following categories: amphibian, reptile, bird, mammal.
         6. 6. Declaration of Enclosures. Description of each type of pre-release enclosure that shall meet the requirements listed in Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 of the DFW 679 Manual that shall include the following information for each type of enclosure: length, width, and height in feet and inches; enclosure materials; and photographs, diagrams, blueprints, or other written plans. Applications for variances, per subsection 679.4(c), must be included for any proposed or existing deviations.

         7. 7. Facility Operation Protocols. Description of all facility operation protocols that shall include the following information:

            1. a. Data storage method to maintain required records pursuant to subsection 679.5(c).
            2. b. Protocol for euthanasia that shall include euthanasia methods for each taxonomic group or species of proposed rehabilitation animal, list of qualified personnel pursuant to subsection 679.5(c), how controlled substances will be stored, if applicable, and methods of animal carcass disposal.
            3. c. Protocol for staff and volunteer training that shall include the number of hours and frequency of training.
            4. d. Protocol for intake and triage rehabilitation of animals pursuant to subsection 679.5(b)(6).
            5. e. Protocol for the humane care of rehabilitation animals pursuant to subsection 679.5(a)(1) through (4).
            6. f. Biosafety plan to prevent and control parasites, communicable diseases, vectors and pathogens pursuant to subsection 679.5(a)(5).
            7. g. Contingency plan to allow for a person, identified by a permittee or their designee, and meeting all requirements of these regulations as a designee defined in subsection 679.1(d), to provide continuity of care of rehabilitation animals for up to the expiration date of the valid permit term if the permittee or designee is no longer able to temporarily possess rehabilitation animals for any reason.
         8. 8. Acknowledgement and Signature. Certify under pentalty of perjury that the declaration is true and correct, and that the wildlife described is legally possessed by the undersigned.

      2. (B) Veterinarian of Record Agreement. Written agreement signed by an applicant and a California licensed veterinarian who agrees to be the veterinarian of record under a permit, in a form provided by the department, that shall include the following information:

         1. 1. Applicant Information. Applicant name, date of birth, GO ID (if applicable), mailing address, telephone number, email address, facility name (if applicable), county, and physical address.
         2. 2. Veterinarian Information. Full name, license number, license expiration date, telephone number, email address, physical address, and employer name, if applicable.

         3. 3. Acknowledgement of permittee responsibilities, that shall include:

            1. a. Maintaining current veterinarian information, including regular hours of availability to treat rehabilitation animals possessed by the permittee.
            2. b. Providing required records for any rehabilitation animal such that a licensed veterinarian can make an informed assessment of the condition of an animal and treatment plan or euthanasia of the animal.
            3. c. Relying on the licensed veterinarian to best address the administration of medication and treatment prescribed for the rehabilitation animal.
            4. d. Adhering to the standing orders of a veterinarian for medication use and treatment prescribed for the rehabilitation animal.
            5. e. Recognizing that the purpose of providing care or treatment of a rehabilitation animal is to restore them to a condition of good health for their release to the wild.

         4. 4. Acknowledgement of veterinarian responsibilities, that shall include:

            1. a. Providing veterinary consultation for a rehabilitation animal such as standing orders to perform routine procedures for animal care, treatment procedures, or similar protocol.
            2. b. Provisioning, storing, and documenting all controlled drugs, if applicable, pursuant to all federal and state laws.
            3. c. Considering the ethics regarding the natural life history and welfare of a rehabilitation animal when providing treatment of that animal.
            4. d. Relying on the permittee or their designee to best address the humane care needs of a rehabilitation animal.
            5. e. Recognizing that the purpose of providing care or treatment of a rehabilitation animal is to restore them to a condition of good health for their release to the wild.
         5. 5. List of species of rehabilitation animal that the veterinarian is specially trained if applicable; species of rehabilitation animal that the veterinarian is not able to handle or provide services for any reason; and the veterinarian services that may be provided by the veterinarian at their sole discretion: Physical examinations; dispensing, administering, prescribing medication; screening and preventative care; diagnostic services; surgical procedures; euthanasia; necropsy; carcass disposal.
         6. 6. A permittee, their designee, or veterinarian of record may terminate this agreement at any time and for any reason; a permittee or their designee shall notify the department of any such change pursuant to subsection 679.4(a)(7).
         7. 7. Acknowledgement and Signature. Certify under penalty of perjury that the declaration is true and correct, and that the wildlife described is legally possessed by the undersigned.

      3. (C) List of Persons. A list of each authorized person, as defined pursuant to subection 679.1(b) of these regulations, shall include the following information in a form provided by the department.

         1. 1. Applicant information. Full name, date of birth, GO ID (if applicable), mailing address, telephone number, email address, facility name (if applicable), facility website (if applicable), physical address, and mailing address if different.
         2. 2. Authorized person information. Full name, telephone number, email address, physical address, mailing address if different, brief description of relevant experience, and list of species or taxonomic group of rehabilitation animal authorized to handle. An authorized person shall be listed under only one valid permit at any time.
         3. 3. Acknowledgement and Signature. Certify under penalty of perjury that the declaration is true and correct, and that the wildlife described is legally possessed by the undersigned.

      4. (D) Facility Emergency Action Plan. A written plan describing emergency protocol in the event of an evacuation from a proposed facility, in a form provided by the department, that shall include a date of incorporation of the plan and the following information:

         1. 1. Applicant name, date of birth, GO ID (if applicable), mailing address, telephone number, email address, facility name (if applicable), county, and physical address.
         2. 2. List of animal capture equipment, such as nets, personal protective equipment, or chemical immobilization equipment, if applicable;
         3. 3. List of animal transport equipment that shall include the quantity, size dimensions, and brief description of each cage, which can include the animal intended to occupy each cage (species, size, type) and the maximum number of animals per cage;
         4. 4. List of emergency animal supplies designated for each species of taxonomic group of rehabilitation animal that shall include: a 3 calendar day supply of animal feed, or list of required food supplies and nearest location of such food, food and water receptacles, portable water containers, specialty feeding supplies, artificial heating source, artificial cooling source, bedding, cleaning and disinfectant supplies, and basic veterinary medical supplies;
         5. 5. Facility safety and emergency alert items on the premises, first aid kits; smoke and carbon monoxide detectors; fire extinguishers; emergency exit signage, if applicable; “animals on premise” signage; eye wash stations, if applicable; utility shut-off valves such as gas, water, and electricity valves; and breaker boxes; fire alarms; visual alarms; radio communications; telephone tree; audible alarms; mobile alert app;
         6. 6. List of local emergency telephone numbers that shall include first responders, animal services, public health agencies, hospital, and other points of contact if applicable; and department regional office;
         7. 7. Evacuation leads for assembly area, first aid, responder liaison, and animal evacuation;
         8. 8. Evacuation protocol instructions for animal release criteria, animal transport criteria, assembly area with primary and secondary locations, staging area with primary and secondary locations, and primary and secondary evacuation routes.
         9. 9. Acknowledgement and Signature. Certify under penalty of perjury that the declaration is true and correct, and that the wildlife described is legally possessed by the undersigned.

      5. (E) Authorization to Access Property. Written authorization for the department to access a property where a wildlife rehabilitation facility, satellite facility, or rehabilitation animal is temporarily possessed, in a form provided by the department, signed by the property owner or their authorized representative stating that the department shall have access to conduct inspections pursuant to Section 679.7.

         1. 1. Applicant Information. Applicant name, date of birth, GO ID (if applicable), mailing address, telephone number, email address, facility name (if applicable), county, and physical address.
         2. 2. Property Owner Information. Full name, title, telephone number, email address, physical address, mailing address if different.
         3. 3. Property owner acknowledgement and signature. Certify that the declaration is true and correct, and that the department has permission from the undersigned to enter a property to conduct an inspection pursuant to Section 679.7.
         4. 4. Applicant acknowledgement and signature. Certify that the declaration is true and correct, and that the department has permission from the undersigned to enter a property to conduct an inspection pursuant to Section 679.7.
      6. (F) Compliance with Local Laws. An applicant for a new permit or a request for permit renewal shall provide written documentation, such as a letter from a local agency with jurisdiction over zoning, that demonstrates that the proposed facility is in compliance with all local laws.
   7. (7) Issuance of Permit. The department shall issue a permit if an applicant meets all requirements listed pursuant to these regulations and Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 of the DFW 679 Manual and passes a facility inspection pursuant to Section 679.7. The department shall determine which taxonomic group or species of rehabilitation animal an applicant is authorized to temporarily possess based on the conditions the department determines are necessary to protect native wildlife, animal welfare, human health and safety, or agriculture interests.

   8. (8) Renewal of Permit. A permittee or their designee may submit an application packet to renew a permit with the required fee, postmarked no later than 60 calendar days before the valid permit expires, via the U.S. Postal Service or overnight carrier to the department's License and Revenue Branch, P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244, that shall include the following information: information listed in subsection 679.3(a)(6)(A) through (F); list of sub-permittees that shall include their full name, telephone number, email address, physical address and mailing address of the satellite facility; and payment to the department of a nonrefundable fee adjusted annually pursuant to Fish and Game Code Section 713.

      1. (A) Up to 45 calendar days after the valid permit expires, a permittee or their designee may apply to renew the permit by paying a nonrefundable late fee, pursuant to Section 703(c)(2) of these regulations, with any application for renewal. The department shall deny any application for renewal postmarked later than 45 calendar days after the existing permit expired. Except as provided in paragraphs (B) and (C) below, the department shall seize, pursuant to Section 679.8, any rehabilitation animal possessed by a permittee, their designee, or sub-permittee later than 45 calendar days after the permit expired.
      2. (B) Except as provided in this paragraph, a permittee, their designee, sub-permittee, qualified handler, or authorized person, shall not temporarily possess any new rehabilitation animals after a permit expires. If a wild animal is transported by any person to a permittee, their designee, sub-permittee, qualified handler, or authorized person, whose permit is expired, the animal may be temporarily confined pursuant to Section 679.2. The department may provide a temporary permit extension for up to 60 calendar days, in writing via email, to a permittee to temporarily possess and/or intake rehabilitation animals if the permittee submitted an application for renewal postmarked no later than 45 calendar days after the permit expired, and the department finds that the conditions necessary to protect native wildlife, animal welfare, human health or safety, and agriculture interests shall be met during the application renewal process. A permit extension shall expire either 60 calendar days after it is granted, the permit is renewed, or the permit application is denied whichever occurs first. The department may grant an additional permit extension if it needs more than 60 calendar days to review the renewal application, and it finds that the conditions necessary to protect native wildlife, animal welfare, human health or safety, and agriculture interests shall continue to be met.
      3. (C) If a permit expires while the Department is reviewing the application for renewal, the department may provide written approval to a permittee, their designee, or sub-permittee to continue to intake and temporarily possess rehabilitation animals under an expired permit if the department finds that the conditions necessary to protect native wildlife, animal welfare, human health or safety, and agriculture interests shall be met during the application renewal process.

   9. (9) Facility Change. A permittee, their designee or sub-permittee shall notify the department in writing via email at [email protected] at least 60 calendar days prior to any change in physical address of a wildlife rehabilitation facility or satellite facility, or construction of a new facility or satellite facility.

      1. (A) A permittee, their designee, or sub-permittee who requests to amend a valid permit or sub-permit may submit an application packet to the department via the U.S. Postal Service or overnight carrier to the department's License and Revenue Branch, P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244 that shall contain the following required documentation using forms provided by the department listed in subsections 679.3(a)(6)(A) through (E).
      2. (B) An applicant shall submit the appropriate completed application and fees for a permit amendment request.
      3. (C) The department shall approve or deny a permit amendment request following completion of a department inspection pursuant to Section 679.7.

   10. (10) Permit Fees. The department shall charge a fee for a new permit, or a request for permit renewal, or a permit amendment as specified in subsection 703(c)(2) of these regulations.

       1. (A) New Permit Fees. An applicant for a new permit shall submit a completed application for a Native Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit with the nonrefundable application fee and a refundable inspection fee listed pursuant to subsection 703(c)(2)(B)1 of these regulations. The inspection fee shall be refunded if the department denies the new permit application and no inspection is performed by the department or its designee.
       2. (B) Permit Renewal Fees. An applicant for a permit renewal shall submit a completed application for a Native Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit with the nonrefundable application fee listed pursuant to subsection 703(c)(2)(B)2. of these regulations. The department shall not charge an inspection fee for a permit renewal.
       3. (C) Specialty Rehabilitation Authorization Fees. An applicant for a permit amendment for specialty rehabilitation authorization shall submit a completed application for a Specialty Rehabilitation Authorization with a nonrefundable application fee and a refundable inspection fee listed pursuant to subsection 703(c)(2)(B)4 of these regulations. The inspection fee shall be refunded if the department denies a permit amendment request and no inspection is performed by the department or its designee.
       4. (D) Permit Amendment Fees. An applicant for a permit amendment for a or new facility change shall submit a completed application for a Native Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit with a refundable inspection fee listed pursuant to subsection 703(c)(2)(B)5 of these regulations. The inspection fee shall be refunded if the department denies a permit amendment request and no inspection is performed by the department or its designee.

2. (b) Specialty Rehabilitation Authorization. The department may amend a permit to authorize a permittee, their designee, or sub-permittee to temporarily possess specialty rehabilitation animals, as defined pursuant to Section 679.1, for the purpose of rehabilitation if such persons meet the following requirements.

   1. (1) Examination. An applicant for specialty rehabilitation animals shall take the free California state wildlife rehabilitation examination provided by the department pursuant to subsection 679.3(a)(5)(A), specialty rehabilitation section, and shall correctly answer at least 80 percent of the questions to pass the examination.

   2. (2) Application Packet. An applicant shall submit to the department a specialty rehabilitation application packet, in forms provided by the department, via the U.S. Postal Service or overnight carrier to the License and Revenue Branch at P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244, that shall include the following information:

      1. (A) Application form.

         1. 1. Applicant and Facility Information. Description of applicant and facility as described in subsection 679.3(a)(6)(A)1 above.
         2. 2. Required Experience. Description of the minimum hours of animal care and husbandry experience with animals in the same taxonomic group or closely related taxa of the same Order as the proposed specialty rehabilitation animals, completed within 5 years from the date of request for specialty rehabilitation authorization: 400 hours of large carnivore experience; 250 hours of ungulate experience; 250 hours of experience with any species of eagle or falcon; and 100 hours of venomous reptile experience; or experience that the department determines to be equivalent in California, including start dates and end dates. An applicant shall provide the name, affiliation, telephone number, email, and mailing address of relevant references that the department may contact to verify such experience. Alternatively, the department may consider one credit hour of education in veterinary medicine, biological sciences, wildlife rehabilitation, or similar courses as a substitute for one hour of experience, up to 40 hours of the required experience based on: the number of hours of education and topic of the curriculum; completion of a certificate, degree, or similar qualification; the applicant obtaining the education at an accredited institution or program recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; and submission of relevant original transcript(s) if applicable.
         3. 3. Specialty Rehabilitation Animals. A list of proposed specialty rehabilitation animals, and the maximum number of animals by species able to be temporarily possessed at one time in the following categories: large carnivore, ungulate, bald or golden eagle or peregrine or prairie falcon, venomous snake.
         4. 4. Declaration of Enclosures. Description of each type of animal enclosures that shall meet the requirements listed in Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 of the DFW 679 Manual as described in subsection 679.3(a)(6)(A)6 above.
         5. 5. Qualified Handlers. A list of the following minimum number of qualified handlers as defined pursuant to subsection 679.1(p), one of which may be the applicant, for each taxonomic group or species of proposed specialty rehabilitation animal: 3 qualified handlers -- large carnivore, 2 qualified handlers -- ungulate, 2 qualified handlers -- bald or golden eagle or peregrine or prairie falcon, 2 qualified handlers -- venomous snake. An applicant shall demonstrate that a qualified handler, that is not the applicant, has completed the following minimum hours animal care and handling experience with animals in the same taxonomic group, or closely related taxa of the same Order, as the proposed specialty rehabilitation animal: 300 hours of carnivore experience; 100 hours of ungulate experience; 100 hours of raptor experience; and 80 hours of venomous snake experience.
         6. 6. Facility Operation Protocols. Description of all facility operation protocols that shall include all required information listed pursuant to subsection 679.3(a)(6)(A)7 in writing in a form provided by the department.
         7. 7. Acknowledgement and Signature. Certify under penalty of perjury that the declaration is true and correct, and that the wildlife described is legally possessed by the undersigned.
      2. (B) Veterinarian of Record Agreement. Written agreement signed by an applicant and a California licensed veterinarian who agrees to be the veterinarian of record under the specialty rehabilitation authorization for an existing permit, in a form provided by the department, as described in subsection 679.3(a)(6)(B) above.
      3. (C) Facility Emergency Action Plan. A written plan describing emergency protocol in the event of an evacuation from a proposed facility, in a form provided by the department, as described in subsection 679.3(a)(6)(D) above.
      4. (D) Authorization to Access Property. Written authorization, in a form provided by the department, as described in subsection 679.3(a)(6)(E) above.
      5. (E) Proof of valid permit or license, or other written documentation demonstrating that an applicant will not be violating any local laws, from a local agency with jurisdiction over zoning that allows an applicant to temporarily possess all proposed specialty rehabilitation animals at the facility.
   3. (3) Final Approval. The department shall amend a permit to authorize a permittee or their designee to conduct specialty rehabilitation of the animals listed in subsection 679.3(b) if an applicant meets all standards pursuant to these regulations. A permittee or their designee may temporarily possess such specialty rehabilitation animals only at the wildlife rehabilitation facility or satellite facility location approved by the department.

3. (c) Sub-Permit. The department shall amend a permit to authorize a permittee to add a sub-permittee under that permit. A new permittee may request approval from the department to add a sub-permittee no sooner than 12 months from the date the permit was issued by the department.

   1. (1) Application Packet. A permittee seeking to add a sub-permittee shall submit to the department, via email at [email protected], the information listed in subsections 679.3(a)(5) and 679.3(a)(6)(B) through (F) and the requirements listed below in a form provided by the department:

      1. (A) Sub-Permit Application Form.

         1. 1. Permittee Information. Full name, mailing address if different, telephone number, email address, ALDS GO ID; facility name, facility physical address, facility telephone number, facility email address, facility website if applicable.
         2. 2. Sub-Permittee Information. Full name, date of birth, mailing address if different, telephone number, email address, ALDS GO ID if applicable; satellite facility name, satellite facility physical address, satellite facility mailing address if different, and satellite facility telephone number.
         3. 3. Required Experience. Demonstrated completion of at least 500 hours of animal care, husbandry, and handling experience, completed within 5 years from the date of the initial request, under the supervision of a permitted wildlife rehabilitator in California; or experience that the department deems equivalent. An applicant shall provide the name, affiliation, telephone number, email, and mailing address of relevant references that the department may contact to verify such experience. The department may consider one credit hour of education as a substitute for one hour of experience, up to 150 hours of the required experience based on the criteria listed in subsection 697.3(a)(6)(A)2.
         4. 4. Public Contact Information. Satellite facility telephone number, email address, physical address, and website, if applicable, and type of wildlife accepted at the proposed facility that the department will provide as a resource to the public on the department website at http://wildlife.ca.gov/wildliferehab.
         5. 5. Proposed Rehabilitation Animals. Maximum number of proposed rehabilitation animals that can be temporarily possessed at any time in the following categories: (i) amphibian, (ii) reptile, (iii) bird, (iv) mammal.
         6. 6. Declaration of Enclosures. Description of each type of animal enclosure that shall meet the requirements listed in Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 of the department's DFW 679 Manual and which includes the following information: length, width, and height in feet and inches; enclosure materials; and photographs, diagrams, blueprints, or other written plans.
         7. 7. Facility Operation Protocols. Description of all facility operation protocols that shall include all required information listed pursuant to subsection 679.3(a)(6)(A)7 in writing in a form provided by the department.
         8. 8. Acknowledgement and Signature. Certify under penalty of perjury that the declaration is true and correct, and that the wildlife described is legally possessed by the undersigned.

   2. (2) Approval of Sub-Permit. The department shall amend a permit to add a sub-permit under the permit if a permittee and sub-permittee meet all requirements pursuant to these regulations.

      1. (A) A permittee or their designee, the department, or the department's designee, shall conduct an initial inspection of the proposed satellite facility prior to department approval or denial of such a request pursuant to subsection 679.7(b)(1)(A). A sub-permittee shall not temporarily possess any rehabilitation animal until the department has provided final approval of a sub-permit.
      2. (B) A sub-permittee shall operate no more than one satellite facility, located no more than 100 air miles from the physical location of the facility operated by the permittee or their designee, and shall not be listed as a sub-permittee or designee under any other permit.

4. (d) Denial of Permit, Sub-permit, or Specialty Rehabilitation Authorization. Unless the department finds an action other than a denial, such as a written warning issued by the department to the permittee or their designee, would likely cause such persons to cure an existing violation or not violate in the future, the department shall deny approval of a permit, sub-permit, or specialty rehabilitation authorization if an applicant, their designee, sub-permittee, or qualified handler:

   1. (1) fails to comply with any provision of these regulations, Fish and Game Code Section 1054, or Penal Code Section 597; or
   2. (2) has violated any law existing in any other state or in any local governing entity, or any federal statute, regulation, or rule, that is related to wild animals, including, but not limited to, 16 USC 1531 (Endangered Species Act), 26 USC 3372 (Lacey Act), or 50 CFR 21 (Migratory Bird Treaty Act); or
   3. (3) has been convicted of a crime of moral turpitude.
5. (e) Transition Period. A person holding a valid permit or memorandum of understanding (MOU) issued pursuant to 679 prior to August 13, 2025, shall be authorized by the department to operate under their permit or MOU requirements through December 31, 2025. Starting January 1, 2026, a person who was issued such a permit or MOU and would like to continue temporarily possessing wildlife for the purpose of rehabilitation shall comply with sections 671.1 and 679.1 through 679.9.

Note: Authority cited: Sections 200, 1050, 2081, 2150.4, 2192 and 3005.5, Fish and Game Code. Reference: Sections 713, 1008, 2000, 2081, 2118, 2120, 2126, 2150.4, 2186, 2192, 3000.5, 3511 and 3960.4, Fish and Game Code; Section 597, Penal Code; and Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 14, 16, 17, 21.29, 21.30, 21.31, 22 and 23.

History

1. New section filed 8-13-2025; operative 8-13-2025 pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 265 (Register 2025, No. 33).