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The caging and housing needs of captive wildlife vary, and international wildlife rehabilitators are challenged to provide providing safe housing for species that can be as small as a hatchling songbird or as large as an elephant.

Regardless of size, the enclosure must provide the animal with some privacy and room for normal movement (given its physical condition) and must be constructed of materials that are safe and do not damage integument, fur or feathers. Outdoor cages must also provide protection from the elements or predators.

Cages sold by pet stores and laboratory or veterinary supply companies are generally well constructed and designed for frequent cleaning. While they are not suitable for all species or all life stages, caging for companion animals can be useful.

Metal cages that contain zinc should not be used, as animals can ingest toxic levels of zinc if they chew or lick surfaces, or if zinc leaches into the substrate. Zinc can also be ingested when animals swallow non-food items such as galvanized steel (or coins), thus care must be taken with removable hardware. Regardless of composition, all nuts, bolts, screws, wires and other removable hardware must be checked frequently to ensure the animal cannot remove and ingest a non-food item.

Used cages are often donated to rehabilitators. If these cages have been painted, it is possible that the animal will ingest paint flecks; if the paint is lead-based, the animal will be poisoned. Worn or gnawed wooden cages can pose dangers if animals ingest particles. Slivers can cause eye injuries, wounds to the body, and if ingested, can lodge in the throat or digestive tract. Previously used cages can also house pathogens that can infect animals. Older metal cages may be made from materials that are unsafe and no longer approved for use. Sharp edges, peeling coatings on surfaces, or rust or corrosion on cage hardware may pose dangers.

Most rehabilitators and centres build cages specifically designed for wildlife. Building materials most commonly include lumber and welded hardware cloth.

Painted or treated wood is not suitable for species that chew or peck. Pressure treated lumber has proven to be unsafe because of arsenic and other toxins. Plain, untreated lumber is best used in cage construction. If coating or sealing is necessary, areas that are accessible to the animal should only be treated with a non-toxic substance. Materials commonly used for walls include chicken wire, hardware cloth, wood, plastic panels or netting, depending upon species and whether the cages are meant for indoor or outdoor use.

Most countries have regulations that apply to the caging and housing of captive animals. It may be a condition of permit that cages comply with established standards that dictate size, materials, etc. Before building, contact the agency in your country that is responsible for these standards (e.g., the Canadian Council on Animal Care, RSPCA, USFWS, etc.).

In the United States and areas of North America, standards and guidelines have been established based on information and experience of wildlife professionals, representing the most current knowledge, expertise and techniques in the field of wildlife rehabilitation. These standards are available through a cooperative effort of the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association and the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council. A free copy is available for download.

Minimum Standards for Wildlife Rehabilitation

Infectious diseases are a reality that must be addressed when cages are being designed and constructed. The risk of contagion via surfaces and substrates can be greatly reduced if enclosures are designed to withstand aggressive cleaning.

Some pathogens are easily eliminated, while others may penetrate surfaces or substrates and survive for many years. Sanitization is specific to various pathogens. For example, a solution of 10% bleach and water or an anti-bacterial solution may be enough to kill most bacteria, but if an enclosure has housed an animal or animals infected with certain parasites, very aggressive methods are necessary. For example, raccoons are commonly infected with raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis). When other animals (including humans) ingest infective eggs, Baylisascaris larvae hatch in the intestine and travel through the organs and muscles (larva migrans syndrome). Infection results in serious illness for which there is no treatment, and can be fatal. Animals generally become infected from ingesting eggs from soil, water and other objects that have been contaminated with raccoon feces. The parasite can survive in the environment for many years and is not killed by cleaners, boiling water or freezing. Therefore, enclosures used to house raccoons cannot be used for any other species. Feces, bedding, equipment and substrates must be burned, and cages torched.

Cages must be cleaned regularly while in use and should be completely and thoroughly sanitized after use and before new patients are housed in them. Between occupants, loose substrates (e.g. sand, gravel, straw, etc.) and accessories (e.g. roosting platforms, logs, perches) should be discarded and replaced. The floor or ground should be sanitized (washed, torched, etc. as required) before fresh substrate is placed. Permanent fixtures (e.g. nest boxes, built-in platforms, swings, hammocks, pools, ponds) must be thoroughly cleaned.

Information on housing and cleaning can be found in rehabilitation manuals. There are a number of rehabilitation manuals published in North America. Most are not peer reviewed and information may range from poor to reliable.

A list of rehabilitation manuals can be viewed at http://www.wildliferehabtoday.com/

Some manuals that discuss caging and may include building plans include:

Care And Rehabilitation Of Injured Owls (Includes 21 cage designs)
by Katherine McKeever,
Owl Rehabilitation Research Foundation

Care & Management of Raptors
by Lori Arent and Mark Martell
The Raptor Center of the University of Minnesota

Domestic Waterfowl Rescue and Rehabilitation
by Nancy Eilertsen, Barbara Lewis, and Lynn Camomile.

Reptile Keepers Handbook
by Susan M Bernard

Cages for juvenile squirrels http://www.wildliferehabtoday.com/ecom/index.html