VOLUNTEERS

Positions

Care Centre Workers

This position involves the care of our wildlife patients in the hospital portion of the site. Extensive training is provided. Must be able to commit 4 hours per week over a 3-month period, have an up-to-date tetanus vaccination and be able to work as part of a team.

Purpose: Wildlife Care Volunteers perform much of the essential daily animal care and maintenance that occurs in Wildlife Rescue's care facility. These volunteers, together with Care Centre staff, work to keep the centre in operation 365 days a year.

Responsibilities:

• Job duties are performed on site in the care centre
• Assisting staff with care and maintenance of wildlife patients
• Preparing housing for new admissions and pre-release cases
• Preparing diets and feedings
• Disinfecting equipment
• Caring for the mealworm colonies
• Cleaning cages and aviaries
• Setting up habitats for both indoor and outdoor animals
• Feeding nestling and fledgling birds
• Responding on an emergency basis in the event of an oil spill

Skills Required:

• Reliability
• Good physical stamina and health
• Patience and the ability to work alone or in a group
• Good communication skills
• Comfortable around small birds and mammals
• Previous animal handling experience is an asset

Training Provided:

• To participate in this program, a volunteer must attend the Volunteer Information Session, a group interview and the Basic Skills Training Workshop
• Volunteers are continually trained by staff and senior volunteers on their shifts, and required training workshops are held frequently
• Specific training, such as oil-spill workshops, are held when required

Benefits:

• The opportunity to work as part of a team assisting local wildlife
• Increased knowledge of local species identification and ecology
• Chance to expand knowledge and skills in animal care
• Familiarization with other wildlife-related groups in the area

Time Requirement:

• Volunteers are expected to work four hours a week, for a minimum of three months

Supervisor:

• Wildlife Care Volunteers, while on their shifts, will be supervised by, and report to, the senior care staff at the facility.

For a Care Centre Volunteer application please click here: Care Centre Volunteer Application Form

Transportation Volunteer

Each year, on-call transportation volunteers deliver over 700 patients to WRA. We are especially reliant on these volunteers during our busy spring and summer months. If you have access to a vehicle, have a valid BC driver's license and live in the Lower Mainland, you can help! Volunteers drive to locations throughout the Lower Mainland to pick up injured wildlife that have been confined, and deliver them to our facility located on Burnaby Lake. Volunteers have a choice of communities and the times they wish to be available.

Purpose: The Transportation Volunteer provides transportation of injured wildlife for members of the public who do not have the ability to bring the animal in to the facility. This interaction with the public is intended to increase public awareness about local wildlife and the services that Wildlife Rescue provides.

Qualifications:

• Valid BC drivers license
• Use of own vehicle

Responsibilities:

• Job duties are performed both on and off site
• Off site job responsibilities include transportation of wildlife to the Care Centre and raising public awareness by providing pamphlets and other literature
• On site job responsibilities include assisting staff and Care Centre volunteers in completing the wildlife admission form

Skills Required:

• Reliability
• A good ability to communicate with the public
• Basic knowledge of local wildlife
• Previous animal handling experience an asset
• Basic knowledge of the lower mainland geography and major streets
• A valid B.C. driver's license and own transportation

Benefits:

• Increased knowledge about local wildlife
• Chance to expand knowledge and skills in animal care, animal handling and public relations
• The opportunity to work as part of an emergency response team for injured wildlife
  

Time Requirement:

• On-call basis

Supervisor:

• The Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for the overall volunteer program
• Transportation Volunteers will report to the Care Center staff at the facility

For a Transportation Volunteer application please click here:Transport Application Form