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Ohio wildlife rehabilitator urges law change so centers can hold organizational drug licenses
Summary
At a Senate committee hearing, the Ohio Wildlife Center asked lawmakers to amend state law so wildlife rehabilitators can hold organizational licenses for euthanasia drugs rather than relying on individual veterinarians; the center said the change would allow better operational continuity, reduce costs and ensure humane treatment of injured wildl
Lori Williams, corporate treasurer of the Ohio Wildlife Center, told the Senate Agricultural and Natural Resource Committee on April 1 that Senate Bill 152 should be amended to allow wildlife rehabilitation centers to hold organizational pharmaceutical licenses similar to animal shelters and veterinary hospitals.
Williams said the Ohio Wildlife Center, which she described as the largest wildlife rehabilitation hospital in the state, treats nearly 9,000 animals annually and is regulated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (Division of Wildlife), the Ohio Department of Agriculture, and the Franklin County Department of Health. She said current language in "ORC 4,729.001 T" prevents the center from obtaining an organizational license to purchase and store certain drugs used to humanely euthanize animals, forcing reliance on an individual veterinarian's license.
"Please allow Ohio Wildlife Center to provide this community service of treating suffering animals in the most humane manner possible," Williams said, urging a minor change to the statute to include wildlife rehabilitators in the definition of "animal shelter" so they could maintain an organizational license. Williams said the change would require the center to follow the same drug protocols and record-keeping required of shelters and hospitals and would allow nonprofits to purchase drugs at reduced cost. She testified that without the ability to hold an organizational license the center faces operational vulnerability if a part-time veterinarian leaves and that alternatives could be less humane.
Senator Liston asked for clarification about the number and role of wildlife centers in Ohio and about facility licensing and safety protocols. Williams said there are several wildlife centers statewide, that her center admits about 9,000 animals a year (the next largest takes about 5,000), and that statewide rehabilitators admitted 34,000 animals in 2023. She said wildlife centers operate with permits from ODNR Division of Wildlife and follow the same storage and safety protocols for controlled substances as veterinary practices; veterinarians would still supervise drug use under the proposed change.
Committee members had no further questions; Chair Schafer closed the second hearing on SB152. Written proponent testimony from Mark Finnerman of Humane World for Animals was also noted on committee materials.
The hearing did not result in a committee vote; proponents asked lawmakers to revise statutory language to permit organizational licensing for wildlife rehabilitators.
