![]() ![]() But you know what’s amazing, that doing this for 35 years, every year I will get a new species of bird or mammal that I’ve never worked with. “We handle all species that are in Ohio,” Schnelker said. Wildlife Haven is a Category II rehabilitation facility. Category II Rehabilitators must have the ability to properly care for wild animals that are diseased, injured, or need rehabilitative care.” The website states that “a Category II Rehabilitation Permit allows individuals with at least three years of rehabilitation experience as a Category I Rehabilitator or equivalent to rehabilitate all species of wild animals except rabies-vector species, deer, coyote, bobcat, mute swans and state or federal endangered species, unless otherwise approved by the Chief of the Division of Wildlife. Per the ODNR website, “Category I Rehabilitation Permits allow individuals to rehabilitate healthy, orphaned, or non-rabies vector mammals such as squirrels, rabbits and woodchucks.” There are two categories of rehabilitators. So that’s how it got started.”Īccording to Ohio Department of Natural Resources records, there are currently 78 permitted wildlife rehabilitators in the Buckeye State. About five years in we had to set up non-profit status because I was too busy to work a job and support it and we couldn’t afford to run it just on my husband’s salary. That’s how it started, and it just trundled along and got bigger and bigger. But once he knew I was interested in it, he started bringing things to me when people called him. “So I called the wildlife officer and he said it was okay, so he didn’t even know it was illegal. “I got four little blue jays and I knew I wasn’t allowed to have them even back then it was illegal to have birds,” she said. Schnelker has been in the animal rehabilitation field for about 35 years, officially starting when she took in some orphaned blue jays. “Even when I was a little girl, I was taking things in and helping them, but being a child and not knowing what I was doing, most of them didn’t make it.” “I’ve always loved animals and wildlife in particular,” Schnelker said. She’s the owner and operator of Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation and Education Center, 3659 Ohio 598 north of Crestline. No, Schnelker doesn’t operate a daycare center or preschool. Jane Schnelker is busy every day, feeding and taking care of all of the little ones entrusted to her. ![]()
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