How old do you have to be to get a wildlife permit or liscence?

It is A LOT of work, time, money and energy to do wildlife rehab. You need to know a lot about a lot of different animals and each state requires different schooling, amount of time in apprenticeship, etc. You can't be a minor and legally do it. Doing it illegally is A) not fair to the animal depending on you and B) puts you and your parents are risk of sometimes huge fines. Even many bird species are protected by the Migratory Bird act and getting caught with one is a bad thing, even if you have good intentions. Species that can vector rabies, such as raccoons, skunks, etc usually require even more schooling and an additional permit above and beyond a regular rehabber permit.

Depending on your age and if you live close to any, you may be able to volunteer. Be prepared, as someone else said, to get dirty and that as cute as they are they are still wild, and cuddling them now can ultimately be their death because they have a harder time being released.
 
If you can find someone to let you "intern" with during the summer, you can see if it's something you would want to do long term. If you can't I know the animal shelter here in town takes volenteers as young as 14, so that may be an option too.
 

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