Our Background

Written by Administrator | 15 July 2010

"Preserving Louisiana's wildlife one at a time"

The Louisiana Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (LAWRA), incorporated in 1997 as a 501(c)(3) conservation-minded non-profit, supports Louisiana's wildlife and provides resources and assistance for wildlife rehabilitators. LAWRA is comprised of wildlife rehabilitators, veterinarians, conservationists, and other professionals from around Louisiana, all committed to restoring the health, ensuring the welfare, and safeguarding the future of Louisiana's wildlife.

Wildlife Rehabilitators are at the forefront of the Wildlife Conservation movement. Our efforts to save endangered and threatened species through injured and orphaned wildlife rehabilitation programs directly assist state and federal agencies, as well as conservation and environmental organizations, in that species' continued survival. Wildlife rehabilitation provides unique insights into issues affecting wildlife populations, species and habitats, and contributes to wildlife conservation and protection worldwide.

LAWRA's Role

• LAWRA is an educational resource for our members. We provide customized, detailed educational classes from leaders in the rehabilitation and wildlife veterinarian community to foster the education of wildlife rehabilitators statewide.
• LAWRA promotes recognition of Wildlife Rehabilitation. We promote efforts to officially recognize Louisiana rehabilitators and their conservation efforts.
• LAWRA is an educational body. Incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, LAWRA attends educational events across the state to educate the public about conservation and the role Wildlife Rehabilitation plays.
• LAWRA educates our members. We disseminate recognized ethical, scientific, and professional standards for animal care, their facilities, professional conduct and demeanor, public education, and conservation action. 
• LAWRA represents our members. We have a liason with regulatory agencies controlling Wildlife Rehabilitators and actively participate in the legislative process affecting our members to the full extent of the tax laws. LAWRA participates, as appropriate, in the support of positions and policies that advance the conservation and protection of wildlife and habitat. We also foster the enhancement of wildlife rehabilitators as conservation partners whenever possible.
• LAWRA recruits new Rehabilitators. We are actively working to foster and support new rehabilitators in Louisiana through our education and outreach efforts.
• LAWRA promotes "co-existing" with wildlife. We educate our members and the public about effective ways to coexist with wildlife, prevent potential conflicts, and appreciate the role of wildlife in our changing environment.

Effective Partnerships

LAWRA is actively partnered with many conservation groups both in and out of state. While LAWRA may be linked to these groups in many ways, we do not always support their opinions on specific issues.

• America's Wetland. LAWRA is a "cooperating organization" of the program & incorporates their materials in our educational efforts statewide.
• Elmer's Island. The Louisiana Wildlife Federation campaign to have the state purchase Elmer's Island is widely supported by the organization. LAWRA recently passed a resolution in support of keeping the land "wild" and available to the public for limited recreational use.
• American Bird Conservancy. LAWRA supports the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) "Cats Indoors" program and has incorporated it into our educational outreach efforts.
• Rabbit.org. LAWRA campaigns regularly using Rabbit.org material during Easter to educate the public about easter rabbit sales & the responsibility of owning an "easter" rabbit.
• National and International Organizations. We have developed liasons with the national and international groups representing the interests of wildlife rehabilitators and our Louisiana wildlife.

Contact Us

Should you have any questions, comments or would like to work with our organization on issues affecting wildlife and/or Wildlife Rehabilitators please contact us via the link to the left.