If you've ever found an injured animal, taken it home, cared for it, and released it back into the wild, you are a wildlife rehabilitator. Most people who do this are volunteers, but there are a few who earn a living doing this type of work. Wildlife rehabilitators rarely have veterinary or medical experience. They do have a permit to care for wild animals. To become a wildlife rehabilitator you must pass a state exam. When you pass the test, your name is registered as a wildlife rehabilitator in a public directory; if people find injured animals, they will call you for help.

Jonathan and Susan Wood are founders of the Raptor Project, a premier raptor rescue and education center. They make their living teaching the public about these magnificent birds of prey. Jonathan, Susan, and their young daughter, Rachel, travel around the country in a large mobile home with their collection of raptors. The birds have come to Jonathan from a variety of places. People find injured birds, call him, and he mends them as best as possible. Some of them can't fly, but they are all in good condition. His road trips take him to parks, schools, museums, and wildlife centers. He is a personable guy who also makes regular appearances on television shows teaching people about these birds of prey. His collection features an assortment of owls, falcons, hawks, and other raptors.

He is a federally licensed master falconer, wildlife rehabilitator, raptor propagator, and game-bird breeder. He is also licensed to handle eagles and endangered species. He gives between 800 and 1,000 lectures each year. This is not a nine-to-five job. Wood and other wildlife rehabilitators can get calls all hours of the day from people who find injured animals. Other wildlife rehabilitators focus on snakes and lizards. Work is available for those who build up a reputation.

To become a wildlife rehabilitator, it is essential to volunteer with a trained wildlife rehabilitator or at a wildlife center. A background in biology and animal behavior is helpful. Most wildlife rehabilitators don't earn a lot of money. Wood, however, makes a good living because he travels the country giving lectures. It's a lot like booking shows for a theater performance. Susan does most of the booking and scheduling. People who do this can earn anywhere from $30,000 to upward of $100,000 — depending on the amount of traveling and number of shows involved.