Veterinarians and wildlife rehabilitators both offer medical care for animals. How are these jobs similar and how are they different? Though veterinarians and wildlife rehabilitators both provide medical care for animals, such as assessing and treating illnesses and disease, there are several differences. Most veterinarians treat pets or farm animals that belong to owners who know the animal's history, diet and daily routines. Wildlife rehabilitators treat hundreds of different species, and they have no background information regarding the animal's illness or injury. Wildlife rehabilitators care for the animals 24-7, which might include hand-feeding and regular cleaning, until the animals are ready to be released back into the wild.