May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

Policies and Procedures Manual

Student Edition 2019

May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

Lees – McRae College
191 Main Street I Banner Elk, NC 28604 I 828-898-2568

May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Policies and Agreement

Mission Statement

Recognizing that the planet and its life forms have an inherent worth, and that we have a responsibility to
treat the earth and its processes with respect, the May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is dedicated to the
stewardship of the Earth through environmental education, and rehabilitation of sick, injured, and
orphaned native North American wildlife.
The following are the rules and policies to be followed and agreed upon by all students participating in
the wildlife rehabilitation program at the May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.

Chain of Command at the MWRC:

I - Director, Staff Veterinarian, and Clinical Administrative Assistant

II - Mentor in charge
III - Mentors
IV – Non-Mentor Students

Director and Staff Veterinarian Job Descriptions and roles:

• Manage and direct all center operations including all student activities at all levels.

• Oversee and provide care for injured, sick, and orphaned wildlife patients admitted to the May
Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (MWRC) (not including rabies vector species), including:

- Examination, diagnosis, medical and rehabilitative treatment, euthanasia, specialty

veterinary consultations, and transport to and from veterinary hospitals

• Lead twice weekly center mentor (Patient care and center business) meetings

• Manage and coordinate student training and volunteer schedules and duties

• Alternate weekend on-call duties

• Adhere to regulations established by the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board (NCVMB) and the
Federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), governing veterinary medical practice and controlled
substances, respectively, including:

- Humane and legal management of all MWRC patients, including treatment, medication
and euthanasia

- Maintenance of medical records for a period of 3 years

- Maintenance of a controlled substance log for a period of 3 years

- Appropriate disposal of expired substances, controlled and otherwise

• Follow the minimum standards set by the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association, (NWRA),
including:
o Establish and follow guidelines for rehabilitative and medical care of injured and resident
wildlife
o Field and follow up on wildlife phone calls
o General maintenance of appropriate facilities/caging
o Record and report requirements of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and NC Wildlife Resources
Commission
o Maintain appropriate and necessary permits for rehabilitation and education animals through
the USFWS and NCWRC
o Establish and follow disease management, human and center safety, and patient privacy
policies
o Establish after-hours, holiday, and inclement weather procedures

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Public Education:
• Schedule and provide outreach programs for public schools, churches, festivals, and other events
• Oversee the training program for non-releasable wildlife deemed appropriate for education
programming
• Participate in Lees-McRae College events with wildlife ambassadors and students

Fundraising Activities:
• Conduct activities to raise funds and awareness for the MWRC
• Identify needs of the center for fundraising pursuits and volunteer opportunities
• Participate in Friends for Wildlife fundraisers and grant-writing

Purchasing & Budgets

• Purchase food, office, and medical supplies
• Purchase supplies for ongoing cage repairs and upkeep of the center
• Submit check requisitions for purchases and manage annual budget and purchasing card logs

Scheduling
• Shift, holiday, summer clinical and emergency scheduling are set at the discretion of the director

• Requested changes and make up shifts must be approved by the director

Senior Mentors (Level II)

Requirements for Senior Mentor designation:

Students who have successfully completed the following:

BIO 281 and 282 in good standing

BIO 392 and 393 (Summer Clinical Wildlife Rehabilitation) in good standing

Clinical skills test

At least one year of level III mentorship

Received final review and approval from the Staff Veterinarian and Director

Responsibilities:

• Act as second level of authority between students / mentors and Director

• Set an example of professionalism for students and first level mentors, including:

- responsible and mature behavior, positive attitude, demonstration of respect for

others

- Oversee MWRC tasks as assigned by director (ambassador health checks, etc.)

• Facilitate patient management – treatment, rehabilitation, and disposition under the direction of
staff veterinarian and/or director

- Work with on-call staff member if questions or concerns arise

- Work WITH students, not just directing them

• Facilitate student training during shift times and conduct additional workshops as needed

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 • Discuss any concerns involving students, mentors, patients, facilities with staff veterinarian and
director regularly

• When appropriate, lead weekly mentor meetings

• Facilitate management of working procedure / methods, discuss and adjust accordingly

• Assist and participate in daily shift operations of mentors & students, including patient care,
cleaning, food preparation, laundry

Mentors (Level III):

Requirements for Mentor designation:

Students who have successfully completed the following:

BIO 181 and 182 in good standing

BIO 392 and 393 (Summer Clinical Wildlife Rehabilitation) in good standing

Clinical skills tests

Received final review and approval from the Staff Veterinarian and Director

Responsibilities:

• Oversee and assist students during shift

• Identify and use training opportunities for students during shift

• Monitor animal patients and care of patients

• Receive (triage) incoming patients

• Consult with Sr. Mentor, staff veterinarian, and/or director to determine treatment, medication, and
disposition of patients

• Act as first level of authority for 1st year students

• Maintain “training sheets” on each student assigned to your group

• Conduct MWRC tours and presentations

• Oversee and participate with all other students in maintenance and cleanliness of facilities; report
any concerns, or facility repairs needed

• Set an example of professionalism, responsible and mature behavior, positive attitude, and
demonstration of respect for others

• Student concerns should be brought immediately to the attention of Sr. mentor, staff veterinarian, or
director

Students (Level IV) (Students who are enrolled in BIO 181 and 182 and participating in weekly and weekend
shifts)

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As students learn the skills in class, they will participate in those activities through the daily shifts at the
center, under supervision of Mentors (level III & II). The following are the responsibilities of level IV
students:

• Students will observe and learn proper techniques for handling, restraint, cleaning and sanitizing,
diet preparation, etc. and participate as deemed appropriate by a mentor

• When capable, students will assist in caring for the daily needs of wildlife, including animal diet
preparation, cage cleaning, syringe cleaning and disinfection, baby animal feeding, laundry,
mopping, and other daily center responsibilities

• Students will show respect and follow instructions from all mentors, staff veterinarian, and director.
If students have a problem with a mentor or fellow student, then must discuss with staff veterinarian
or director.

• While enrolled in the BIO 182 (Wildlife as Partners) course, students will begin to handle ambassadors
in preparation for their required wildlife presentations under the supervision of mentors responsible
for those animals. Students must follow instructions of mentors, showing respect at all times.

• While enrolled in the BIO 182 (Wildlife as Partners) course, students will begin to conduct assigned
weekly ambassador health checks under the supervision of mentors responsible of those animals.

Volunteers

While volunteers are not paid staff nor are they students who are in a learning position, they make
great contributions to the center. Examples include helping with all duties while students are on
breaks, training animal ambassadors, cage repairs and carpentry work, running the booths at
festivals, transporting wildlife, etc. They have given countless hours of service, and the center could
not be run without them. They must be treated with honor and respect. Volunteer discrepancies or
inappropriate language/behavior should be reported to a staff member.

Scheduling

• Class /Shifts /Responsibilities: MWRC is open from 8am – 8pm on all days except during the winter
break, where there will be a modified schedule. During the fall semester there are 4 shifts per day: 8-9am,
12-1pm, 4-5pm, and 7-8pm. Because of fluctuation of wildlife numbers during early fall and late spring,
some shifts will last longer than one hour to care for the needs of wildlife patients. If students have to be at
class, or sports practice, they may leave in order to arrive on time. Others may be expected to stay until
patient care is accomplished for that shift. If a student must leave early, he or she should notify the shift
leader at the beginning of the shift.

• Summer hours for the center are from 8am – 8pm. Students enrolled in the BIO 392 & 393 Clinical
Wildlife Rehabilitation will participate in either morning shifts 8am-4pm, or afternoon shifts 12-8pm.

Human Health and Safety

General Health and Safety:

• Everyone is responsible for his or her own health; immune compromised individuals may be at
increased risk. Students will be working in close quarters with other students and sick/injured animals
and pathogens can be passed quickly to others. Adherence to good general hygiene practices is a
must.
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 • Working with wildlife carries inherent risk. Proper handling and restraint techniques are critical to
the safety of both humans and animals. Students will understand proper capture, restraint, and
handling techniques for specific species before handling any animal.

• Tetanus vaccinations must be current before any work can commence at the MWRC. Rabies pre-
exposure vaccinations are not required for general patient care, but will be required before an
individual could work with a bobcat.

• If a student has a medical concern, such as an allergy, cardiac condition, or other impairment that
might be exacerbated while working at the MWRC, it should be brought to the attention of the
director or staff veterinarian before shift work begins.

• Wash and sanitize hands after handling each animal and before/after handling food.

• Wear gloves when handling prey items (mice, rats, chicks, worms, etc.)

• Do not place animal items in human use areas (refrigerator, student lounge area, etc.) and vice versa.

• Personal belongings and food for human consumption should be kept separate from patient food or
medication. Bring food / snacks in small individual (labeled) cooler/ container and keep in student
room or classroom areas. Food must not be eaten or stored in patient care areas.

• In the event of an animal bite or scratch, immediately clean affected area with soap and warm water
and apply antibacterial ointment and bandage (First Aid kit in office bookshelf). Notify shift mentor,
and an incident/ accident report must be filled out.

• Report any injuries in the LMC Accident/Incident form.

• Consult posted emergency procedures for emergencies. See posted phone numbers for all concerns
(below).

• Report immediately any safety or health concerns to mentor, staff veterinarian, or director.

Dress Code: Dress code policies are for the safety of students and animal patients, and also to present a
professional image to the public.

• Students, staff, and regular volunteers are required to wear clean scrubs while on shift or in work
area. All mentors and staff will wear the MWRC scrubs so as to show supervisory level leadership.

• While we use essential oils as a healing methodology, the use of colognes, perfume, and smoke
residue can add to the stress of animals in rehabilitation so we require that you do not use prior to
shift times.

• Students will wear close-toed shoes when at MWRC and must have designated shoes for use on shift
or working with animals. (Store in car or at home; do not wear shoes to cafeteria or other campus
buildings, and do not leave shoes at center.)

• Pants that are torn and full of holes are inappropriate and shorts (worn in summer) must be at
appropriate length.

• Clothes that are revealing, such as tank tops, spaghetti straps, half shirts, are considered
inappropriate at the center, and must not be worn.

• Avoid dangling jewelry; long hair should be pulled back and secured.

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General Policies:

MWRC Patient Cases:

• Information regarding any animals housed at MWRC, patients or ambassadors is proprietary

and should not be shared with anyone other than MWRC students, staff, or active volunteers.
Updates are permitted and encouraged for person(s) responsible for rescue / transport/
admission. Any other info should be filtered through mentors / staff veterinarian/director.

- If a student is uncomfortable with questions or comments posed by a finder or other

guest, they should be referred to the Director or Staff Veterinarian. Students should
not convey information about which they are unsure or uncomfortable.

• Information about animals and care is not to be posted on personal Facebook pages or any
other media other than MWRC venues (the student Facebook page, or MWRC Facebook page),
without permission and should be used for information / learning points only.

Animal Respect and Handling

• Animal patients must be handled and observed minimally, so as to reduce stress from human
exposure. If aggressive, rough, affectionate, or any other inappropriate handling is observed,
this is grounds for appropriate reprimand, (see Disciplinary Action Policy).

• Animals are admitted to MWRC to be helped by all who work with them and must be treated
with respect. They are wildlife and must not be disregarded as: mean, angry, disobeying, or
other anthropomorphic terminology. Language such as evil, bad, hate, or other disrespectful
words regarding wildlife will not be tolerated.

• Euthanasia decisions are made at the sole discretion of the staff veterinarian and/or director.
Euthanasia performed without consultation with the staff veterinarian or director will result
in disciplinary action.

Rescues and Animal Transport Policies:

• Transports and rescues are conducted by volunteers and staff on a regular basis.

• Due to safety and liability reasons rescues are not permitted for students.

Cell Phones, Laptops:

• Refrain from cell phone usage, unless on MWRC business (mentors and staff only), in interior
animal areas – this includes receiving or placing calls, text messaging, Internet, Facebook or
responding to emails or checking phone messages. Ringers must be silenced (Phone on
vibrate) as they can disturb animals and disrupt activity.

• MWRC phones are for official use only as needed. Any calls or messages may be returned in
appropriate areas only. Cell phone usage is restricted while serving on shift to mentors
communicating MWRC business only.

• The same policy applies to laptops and tablets. They are to be left in student / class area.
Laptop usage is restricted while serving on shift.

Personal Information:
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 • Never give out any student / mentor / Director / Volunteer schedules or personal information
to anyone not directly associated with MWRC or LMC without permission . DO NOT Give
personal information to the public.

Pets:

• Pets are not permitted premises without permission, and must be leashed or caged at all
times and may only be in the classroom or office area. For the prevention of spread of disease
from exotic/domestic animals to native wildlife (and vice versa), pets are not allowed in
patient areas or food preparation areas.

Photographs / Media:

• Approval must be granted before photographing any animal patients housed at MWRC.
Exceptions include: Photos taken for patient records, procedures for learning aids and
education.

• Photos may be taken of Ambassadors, with prior approval or for personal use. Posting photos
on the Internet is restricted to MWRC approved site, or with permission from the director or
Assistants.

Smoking:

• Smoking is prohibited anywhere on MWRC premises.

• Use of alcohol is prohibited anywhere on MWRC premises

• Use of illicit substances is prohibited anywhere on MWRC premises

• If a student is suspected or known to report to a shift or other MWRC function while under the
influence of any of the above, disciplinary action will be taken.

Visitors:

• Students must obtain permission before bringing visitors to MWRC. For the safety and well-
being of the animals, as well as safety of the public, visitors are restricted from animal care
areas without permission.

• Prospective LMC students interested in the wildlife rehabilitation program are allowed in
patient care areas, but only accompanied by staff or mentors.

• Visitors are welcome to view animals in display cages or media in visitor reception area or
classroom. No unauthorized personnel are permitted behind the scenes to view
releasable wildlife, including tours, without express permission of the staff veterinarian or
director. Tours, presentations and outreach will be conducted for the public on a regular basis
in the classroom, out front at the display enclosures, or off site at other venues.

Disciplinary Action Policy:

Protocol for infractions with center policies include, but are not limited to:

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 1. Verbal warning

2. Written warning (can be electronic or hard copy)

3. Probation, dismissal from program, or LMC judiciary actions (depending on offense.

Adherence to written policies is at the discretion of the staff veterinarian and director.
Additional infractions that are deemed inappropriate by staff veterinarian and/or director will
be handled with the assistance of other resources and administrative staff.

MWRC Phone Protocol:

Phone Procedure:

Because fielding phone calls is an important part of learning how to run a center, phones are
answered by all students and staff at the center.

All who answer phones must be diplomatic and professional, no matter what the situation, when
speaking to the public about wildlife.

If there is a problem that cannot be handled by a student or mentor, then it must be handled by the
staff veterinarian and/or director. If they are not present, take the caller’s name, number, and information
to pass along to the staff member on call.

At each 8 am shift, a mentor must check and follow up on messages from the previous night.

Message procedure: If the red light is flashing, there is a message. Pick up the receiver and dial
8800. When prompted to enter the extension, press the number sign. When prompted to enter the
password, press 6969. Then follow the instructions to listen to messages.

Important Phone Numbers:

EMERGENCY or FIRE: 911

MWRC- (828) 898-2568

Nina Fischesser, (Director)

Cell- (828) 898-7188
Home- (828) 733- 6142

Dr Amber McNamara (staff veterinarian)

Cell- (239) 677-5471
Home-(828) 297-2244

Lees-McRae Security: 898-8756

Lees-McRae Maintenance: 898-8730 (on weekends call Security)

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Good General practices:

Remember that human voices are one of the most stressful ways we impact our patients. Keep your voice
down in patient care areas.

If you make a mess, clean it up. Do not leave it for someone else.

If you notice something is wrong, please alert a mentor or staff member. Do not assume someone else will
notice and take care of it.

Make sure that your area is clean before you leave your shift (sink wiped out, counter tops wiped off, floor
swept, STUFF put back where it belongs, observations noted in RaptorMed, syringes rinsed, etc.)

Student Agreement:

I have read the policies manual and agree to the terms and conditions presented in this
document.

Student Name (printed)_Emma Ryerson

_______________________________________________________________

Student signature: _____________________________Emma Ryerson

________________________________________

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