Wildlife rehabilitation returns injured and orphaned animals to the wild, but success rates vary greatly by species and condition, with welfare considerations guiding release decisions.
Rehabilitation of wildlife carries genuine welfare complexity. Animals subjected to extended captivity, repeated handling, and veterinary procedures experience stress that may exceed the welfare gain of eventual release — especially for short-lived species with low release success. Welfare-centered rehabilitation requires honest assessment of prognosis and willingness to euthanize when release is not a realistic outcome.