Statutory guidance

Wild birds: licence for vets to rehabilitate certain species (GL08)

Use this general licence to keep disabled schedule 4 wild birds for up to 6 weeks to rehabilitate them.

Applies to England

Documents

Details

As a veterinary surgeon or practitioner, this licence lets you keep the following species for up to 6 weeks before you must register them:

  • honey buzzards
  • golden eagles
  • white-tailed eagles
  • peregrine falcons
  • goshawks
  • marsh harriers
  • Montagu’s harriers
  • merlins
  • ospreys

You can keep these birds for up to 6 weeks without registering if:

  • the bird is disabled
  • you plan to rehabilitate and release it
  • you’re giving the bird veterinary treatment
  • you record all treatments
  • you keep the treatment records for 2 years from when you received the bird

You do not need to apply for this licence but you must meet its conditions and follow its instructions.

Updates to this page

Published 31 December 2013
Last updated 1 January 2024 + show all updates
  1. There is an update to this licence for 1 January 2024.

  2. Annual licence updates, valid from 1 January 2023.

  3. Annual licence update, valid from 1 January 2022.

  4. Annual licence update.

  5. Added accessible version of the licence - HTML.

  6. Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2020

  7. Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2019

  8. Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2018

  9. Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2017

  10. Replaced licence with new version issued 1 January 2016.

  11. Added updated general licence. New version valid between 1 January and 31 December 2015.

  12. First published.

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