Little Mittens Animal Rescue is saddened to publicly announce that we are no longer permitted to accept, transport, or rehabilitate white-tailed deer or mule deer fawns under new conditions added to our provincial wildlife rehabilitation permit.
Little Mittens was informed of these changes earlier this summer. At the time, we had hoped to receive additional guidance and clarification before issuing a formal public statement. As the summer has progressed and calls regarding fawns have continued, we feel it is important that our community understands the situation and why we are no longer able to respond to these animals in the way we have in previous years.
This is not a decision made by Little Mittens Animal Rescue.
The new restrictions are part of provincial and regional efforts to prevent the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in British Columbia.
We have been advised that rehabilitation of white-tailed deer and mule deer is no longer permitted within Region 4. This also includes deer originating in other regions that would be transported to a rehabilitation facility within Region 4 before eventually being returned to their area of origin.
Provincial wildlife officials have explained that controlling the movement of ungulates is one of the measures being used to reduce the risk of CWD spreading throughout British Columbia. One particular concern is that CWD-positive females can transmit the disease in utero, meaning a fawn could potentially carry CWD before the infection is detectable.
CWD prevalence in British Columbia’s wild ungulate population is currently estimated at less than 0.1%, and maintaining that low prevalence is an important provincial management objective.
For our organization, this has been extremely difficult news.
Fawns have always been among the wildlife our community calls us about during the spring and summer months. When someone finds a genuinely orphaned, injured or compromised fawn, our instinct as wildlife rehabilitators is to help. Being told that we can no longer legally provide that care has been heartbreaking for our team.
We also recognize the importance of protecting the larger wild deer population from a devastating disease. We understand why CWD prevention requires serious precautions, even when those precautions create incredibly difficult situations for individual animals.
What should you do if you find a fawn?
Please do not take the fawn home, attempt to raise it yourself, or transport it to another location.
A fawn found alone is not necessarily orphaned. Mother deer commonly leave their young hidden and unattended for long periods while they feed and will return later.
If a fawn is visibly injured, has been confirmed orphaned, is in immediate danger, or you are unsure whether it needs assistance, please call before intervening. Although Little Mittens may no longer be legally permitted to admit white-tailed or mule deer fawns into rehabilitation, we can still provide guidance and help determine the appropriate next steps.
The new permit conditions also affect other members of the deer family. Moose and elk may be considered on a case-by-case basis, subject to geographic restrictions and preapproval from the Regional Manager and Provincial Veterinarian.
We had hoped that by waiting we would be able to provide our community with more answers and clearer direction. Unfortunately, fawns continue to need help, and people continue to call us looking for somewhere to take them. We felt it was no longer appropriate to remain quiet about a change that directly affects wildlife and the people trying to help them.
Little Mittens Animal Rescue will continue communicating with provincial officials, seeking clarification where possible and advocating for clear and humane options when members of the public encounter wildlife in distress.
We know this announcement will be upsetting to many people. It is upsetting to us as well. We ask for patience and understanding as we navigate a restriction that was not our choice while continuing to do everything legally within our ability to help wildlife in our region.
