Provides with respect to not-for-profit wildlife rehabilitation organizations

HB 862 amends Louisiana Revised Statutes Section 56:126(E) to create an exception to the existing prohibition on using wildlife in rehabilitation programs for promotional or commercial purposes. Currently, the law bars all individuals exempted under the Wildlife Rehabilitation Program from using wildlife for exploitation, including any promotional or commercial purpose, with violations resulting in seizure of the animals and permit revocation. The bill adds a new provision that carves out not-for-profit organizations dedicated to wildlife or animal rehabilitation, allowing them to advertise and promote their organizations through photographs, videos, or any other medium or platform, specifically to solicit public or private donations, gifts, or grants from individuals, corporations, or other entities.

Not-for-profit wildlife rehabilitation organizations are the primary beneficiaries of this change. These organizations, which operate rehabilitation facilities for injured, orphaned, or sick wildlife, will now be able to use images and videos of the animals in their care for fundraising and promotional campaigns without violating state law. This applies across all mediums and platforms, including social media, websites, direct mail, print advertising, and broadcast media. The practical effect is that rehabilitation centers can showcase their work and the animals they serve to attract donations and support, which many such organizations rely upon to sustain their operations and animal care programs.

This amendment operates within the framework of Louisiana's Wildlife Rehabilitation Program, codified in Chapter 126 of Title 56 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes. The existing statutory scheme grants exemptions to individuals and organizations operating rehabilitation facilities, allowing them to possess and care for wildlife that would otherwise be protected or regulated. The prohibition on commercial and promotional use has been a longstanding condition of these exemptions to prevent the exploitation of protected wildlife and ensure rehabilitation purposes remain legitimate. The bill preserves the core restriction on exploitation and commercial use while narrowly carving out nonprofit fundraising activities, maintaining the distinction between legitimate rehabilitation work and commercial animal trade while enabling nonprofits to sustain their conservation and animal welfare missions through lawful solicitation of support.