What International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council does

The International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1972 and headquartered in Eugene, Oregon, that operates as the principal professional association and educational platform for the wildlife rehabilitation field worldwide. IWRC serves individual wildlife rehabilitators, veterinarians and vet technicians, students, wildlife rehabilitation centers and organizations, and zoo/aquarium staff — collectively supporting an estimated 12,000 rehabilitators across 50 countries. Its core offering is a multi-tiered training catalog that begins with the entry-level Foundations of Wildlife Rehabilitation course and extends into specialized clinical courses (Fluid Therapy, Wound Management, Parasitology, Zoonoses, Reuniting Raptors), delivered online via a Moodle-based LMS, via hybrid Zoom delivery, and through 15-20 in-person classes per year in the US and Canada. Professional credibility is anchored by two long-running publications: the peer-reviewed Journal of Wildlife Rehabilitation (published three times annually since 1977) and the industry-standard Standards for Wildlife Rehabilitation (jointly published with the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association since 1984, rebranded in 2021).

Underlying the training operation, IWRC runs the Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator (CWR) certification program with Associate (AWR, 50 CE hours) and Certified (CWR, 100 CE hours) levels whose credentials are RACE-approved and uploaded via CE Broker for veterinary continuing education. The business model combines recurring subscription revenue (Individual memberships at $30/year, Lifetime at $1,000, Organizational from $125/year), transactional course fees ($137-$357), publication sales ($35-$134), and tax-deductible donations processed through Give Lively. Distribution runs through IWRC's WooCommerce storefront, the Moodle classroom at edu.theiwrc.org, regional in-person delivery, and the AZA Learning Partner channel into zoos and aquariums. A monthly "Coffee & Tea" webinar series with live captioning in 40+ languages serves as the ongoing community engagement and free top-of-funnel channel, and disaster-response coordination with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) extends the organization's mission reach during crises.

Name

International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council

Legal name

International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council

Website

https://theiwrc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1972 and headquartered in Eugene, Oregon, that delivers science-based training, peer-reviewed publications, and certification for an estimated 12,000 wildlife rehabilitators across 50 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Rehabilitation Education and Training

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Rescue, Transport & Emergency Animal Response (BPAGAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Conservation & Human–Wildlife Conflict Mitigation (BPAGAIAI), Wildlife & Animal Care Volunteering (EDAIAGAE)

Keywords

• Wildlife rehabilitation education
• Professional certification programs
• Veterinary continuing education
• Animal care publications
• Nonprofit membership association

Headquarters

HQ city

Eugene

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Individual memberships from $30/year, Lifetime membership at $1,000, Group/Organizational memberships from $125/year. Provides access to Journal, webinars, calculators, job postings, and discounts.
2. Course Registrations: Online and in-person course fees ranging from $137-$320+ depending on course type, format, and membership status. Includes CE credit (RACE-approved for veterinarians).
3. Publications and Products: Sale of Standards for Wildlife Rehabilitation ($35-$60), Wildlife Nutrition textbook ($68-$134), and other educational books and resources.
4. Donations: Tax-deductible donations supporting training programs, scholarships, and organizational mission. IWRC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

IWRC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides science-based training, professional certification, and reference publications for the wildlife rehabilitation profession. It sells individual and organizational memberships ($30-$1,000+), delivers RACE-approved in-person and online courses (Foundations, Wound Management, Fluid Therapy, Parasitology, Zoonoses, Reuniting Raptors) ranging from $137-$357, administers the two-tier Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator (AWR/CWR) program via cwrexam.org, and publishes the peer-reviewed Journal of Wildlife Rehabilitation and the jointly-published Standards for Wildlife Rehabilitation.

Product overview

IWRC operates as a comprehensive educational platform for wildlife rehabilitation professionals, offering a multi-tiered portfolio of courses, publications, certifications, and community resources. The core educational offerings include the Foundations of Wildlife Rehabilitation course (available in-person and online hybrid), specialized online courses (Wound Management, Fluid Therapy, Parasitology, Zoonoses, Reuniting Raptors), and the Practicum Accreditation Program. IWRC publishes the peer-reviewed Journal of Wildlife Rehabilitation (3x yearly since 1977) and the industry-standard Standards for Wildlife Rehabilitation (jointly with NWRA). Professional development is supported through the Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator (CWR) certification program with Associate and Certified levels. The membership program provides access to webinars (Coffee & Tea series), calculators, job postings, and discounts. Additional services include scholarships/grants, a Bulletin Board for jobs and animal placement, Emergency Resources with rehabilitator finder integration, and Regional Regulations guidance. A new product launching May 2026 is Wildlife Nutrition: Feeding for Rehabilitation, Release, and Reintroduction.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Foundations of Wildlife Rehabilitation Course An introductory 1-week course (formerly Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation) available in-person and online hybrid via Zoom. Covers animal welfare, admissions, capture and restraint, zoonoses, fluid therapy, nutrition, wound management, and release criteria. RACE-approved for 15 CE credits.
• Wound Management Course Online on-demand course covering wound management and bandaging techniques for wildlife rehabilitation professionals. Available with optional book additions.
• Fluid Therapy Course Course covering fluid therapy administration for wildlife patients. Available both online (on-demand) and in-person formats, including CE credit.
• Parasitology Course Online on-demand course covering parasitology related to wildlife rehabilitation patients.
• Zoonoses Course Online on-demand course covering zoonotic diseases encountered in wildlife rehabilitation settings.
• Reuniting and Wild Fostering Raptors Course Course focused on reuniting and wild fostering raptors in wildlife rehabilitation contexts.
• Journal of Wildlife Rehabilitation Peer-reviewed journal published three times yearly since 1977, providing reliable information for wildlife rehabilitators and others involved in wildlife care, treatment, and conservation. Distributed to approximately 1,500 individuals, organizations, and libraries.
• Standards for Wildlife Rehabilitation Industry-standard publication jointly published by IWRC and NWRA since 1984 (formerly Minimum Standards for Wildlife Rehabilitation). Available in print ($40), ebook ($35), or bundle ($60). Provides care standards applicable globally with regulatory information specific to US and Canada.
• Wildlife Nutrition: Feeding for Rehabilitation, Release, and Reintroduction Comprehensive science-based guide for wildlife rehabilitators covering species-specific nutritional needs, feeding plans, and nutritional management from admission through release. Edited by Stephanie Herman CWR and Katie McInnis DVM, CWR.
• Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator (CWR) Program Professional certification program with two levels: Associate Wildlife Rehabilitator (AWR) requiring 50 hours of CE and exam, and Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator (CWR) requiring 100 hours of CE and exam. Certification valid for two years with renewal requiring two CEUs.
• IWRC Membership Program Membership tiers including Individual ($30/year), Student, Family, Lifetime ($1,000), and Organizational ($125+/year). Benefits include Journal access, webinars, calculators, job postings, directory access, and 10-20% course and publication discounts.
• Practicum Accreditation Program Accreditation program providing wildlife rehabilitation facilities with consultation and oversight for developing educational training practicums. Participating centers can offer IWRC Certificates of Completion. Requirements include minimum 175 hours for general participants (80 hours for veterinary students).
• Coffee & Tea with IWRC Webinar Series Monthly series of free online wildlife rehabilitation seminars providing continuing education and global community connection. Features live captioning with translation in 40+ languages; CE certificates issued to attendees.

Quantifiable outcome

• Trained 7,500+ wildlife rehabilitators since 2010
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1984Joint publication of industry standards: Minimum Standards for Wildlife Rehabilitation (1984) transitioned to Standards for Wildlife Rehabilitation (2021). Joint IWRC/NWRA committee oversees periodic revisions. Both organizations co-publish the standards book.
• International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWhen disaster strikes, IWRC and IFAW work together to provide disaster response support for wildlife. The partnership enables coordinated emergency assistance to wildlife rehabilitation efforts during natural disasters and crises.
• Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerIWRC is an official AZA Learning Partner, providing courses for zoo and aquarium professionals seeking professional development. AZA members can access IWRC training for continuing education and career enrichment.
• BC SPCA Wild ARCminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerParticipating center in IWRC Practicum Accreditation program, providing hands-on educational training experiences for wildlife rehabilitation students.
• Wildlife in Need CenterminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerParticipating center in IWRC Practicum Accreditation program, dedicated to wildlife rehabilitation and environmental education, offering practicum opportunities.
• Animal Help NowminorGTM or Marketing PartnerReferral partner for finding wildlife rehabilitators in the United States. IWRC Emergency page links to AHNow for US-based wildlife rescue assistance.
• Give LivelyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonation processing platform partner enabling online donations to IWRC. Used for community builder donations and general support.
• Guidestar (Candid)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharity rating organization recognizing IWRC's transparency. Holds Platinum Seal of Transparency.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW): A large international animal welfare organization and IWRC's disaster-response partner. Operates a broader conservation/welfare portfolio but overlaps in wildlife emergency response and global capacity building for rehabilitators.
• Wildlife Conservation Society: Global conservation organization operating wildlife health programs and field veterinary training. Comparable in its science-based approach to wildlife care, though WCS focuses on in-situ conservation rather than rehabilitation specifically.
• World Wildlife Fund (WWF): One of the world's largest conservation organizations. Overlaps with IWRC's conservation and human-wildlife conflict mission, and could be a peer/donor in the wildlife welfare ecosystem despite operating at much greater scale.
• Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA): The accreditation body for US zoos and aquariums and IWRC's Learning Partner. While primarily a membership association, AZA's professional development programs overlap with IWRC's certification and CE-credit courses for zoo professionals.
• National Audubon Society: Major US bird and wildlife conservation nonprofit with education, advocacy, and citizen-science programs. Audubon's network of volunteers and centers overlaps with IWRC's rehabilitator audience, particularly for avian species.

Emerging players

• Bat World Sanctuary: A specialized nonprofit providing rescue, rehabilitation, and training for bats. Comparable as a niche rehabilitation organization with a strong training/certification function for species-specific wildlife care.

Others

• Animal Help Now: A referral platform connecting the public with wildlife rehabilitators across the US. IWRC integrates with AHNow on its Emergency Resources page, making it an adjacent ecosystem enabler rather than a direct competitor.

Direct peers

• National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association: The closest direct peer — a US-based nonprofit serving wildlife rehabilitators with training, conferences, and publications. IWRC and NWRA jointly publish the industry standards, making them both collaborators and competitors for the same member base.
• Wildlife Health Australia: Australia's peak body for wildlife health, providing training, resources, and One Health coordination to wildlife rehabilitators and veterinarians. Comparable in mission and audience, with several IWRC board members having served in its programs.

Regional players

• Pacific Wildlife Care: A regional wildlife rehabilitation center on California's Central Coast that also delivers public education and training. Comparable as a hands-on rehabilitation and training provider, though geographically focused rather than national/international.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/theiwrc
• Facebookfacebook.com/theiwrc

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council