Volunteer

Wildlife Rescue is powered by volunteer support. Without the dedication, energy and skills of our volunteers, we would not be able to fulfil our vision and mission. Every year, over 300 volunteers dedicate over 25,000 hours both on- and off-site to further our cause and create the organization you see today. Whether frontline or behind the scenes, our volunteers promote the welfare of wildlife and help give them a second chance at life. Will you help us make a difference for wildlife?

The Impact of our Volunteers

This orphaned young gull was recently admitted to our hospital. From the moment the phone rang, a specially-trained volunteer provided guidance to the good Samaritan who found the bird. Another volunteer rushed to their location where they safely captured and transported the bird to our facility. After a professional examination was performed and a treatment plan was determined by our rehabilitators, it was once again volunteers that administered treatment and kept up a rigorous feeding schedule. After several weeks of hard work, this gull was able to be released back to its natural environment with some friends it met in our facility; a happy ending only made possible thanks to our incredible, dedicated volunteers!

When giving their time to Wildlife Rescue, our volunteers promote the welfare of wildlife and help give them a second chance at life. Are you interested in helping us make a difference for wildlife?

Facts about WRA’s Volunteer Program

• Over 300 volunteers each year
• Donate over 25,000 hours annually 
• Local volunteers come from all over Vancouver and the Lower Mainland
• We also get international volunteers coming to us from around the world
• Volunteers help across the organization (figures from 2021 – Education and Outreach lower than in other years)

Who are our volunteers?

We welcome and support the treatment of all patients regardless of species, background or malady, and take a similar approach to the people involved with our organisation. We welcome eager volunteers regardless of race, colour, religion or creed, gender, age (providing they meet the minimum requirement of 16 years due to health risks), disability, national origin, language, political belief, criminal record, pregnancy, marital status or sexual orientation. The only requirement – that you care about helping wildlife as much as we do!

• Ages:
  • 16-18: 9%
  • 19-25: 25%
  • 26-64: 51%
  • 65+: 15%
• Employment Status:
  • Student: 34%
  • Working full or part-time: 43%
  • Retired: 23%

What are the Benefits?

• Make a real difference for local wildlife throughout BC
• Increase your knowledge of local wildlife, rehabilitation and conservation
• Give back to your community
• Meet new people who share your passion for wildlife
• Learn and develop new skills
• In some cases, volunteering can lead to employment with us, particularly for seasonal staff through the Canada Summer Jobs program
• Attend various wildlife workshops, outings, and talks from professionals in the field
• Celebrate during our volunteer appreciation events
• Receive discounts from local partner organizations
• Receive a reference letter honouring your 100-hour commitment

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Special Programs:

Practicum

We believe in the value of community-based learning, and nurturing future leaders in our field. Practicum placements are available in a range of departments across the organisation, from hands-on Animal Care, to engaging with the public through our Support Centre, learning Human Resources skills in our Volunteer Program team, and many more. These placements are designed to give you the opportunity to learn about the field while supporting us with valuable tasks.

To apply to complete your Practicum placement with us, please email us at volunteer@wildliferescue.ca with a brief statement of interest (be detailed about which program areas you’d like to work with), a resume and outline your practicum learning objectives and time commitment.

Legally, Practicum students MUST be enrolled in an educational institution for the duration of the Practicum placement AND must be receiving credit for their involvement in the placement.

*Please note, we cannot satisfy all veterinary practicum requirements or externships as we do not have a veterinarian on site. Please check with your education institution whether this is a requirement.

Work Experience

Wildlife Rescue is a great place to complete your work experience placement, giving you the opportunity to work with animals, learn about wildlife, and take on some leadership opportunities to develop your resume. We support our work experience students’ development with check-ins and help you to learn about areas of interest to you wherever possible. Due to the time and energy that we put into these development programs, we can only consider your application if you apply HERE. Work experience forms will not be signed if you apply as a regular volunteer, unless you already started volunteering with us before requiring these hours.

*Please note, we still require a minimum commitment of 100 hours from you for this program, even if your school has a lower minimum commitment.

International Volunteering

We proudly accept international volunteers to be a part of our team during a stay in Vancouver!

International volunteers are a very important piece of the puzzle to make sure our wildlife patients are taken care of. During the spring and summer, our busiest season when we receive dozens of patients each day, we ask international volunteers to commit for a minimum of 6 weeks. During the quieter months in fall and winter, the minimum commitment is 4 weeks. Working 4 shifts per week, 7 or 8 hours per day (depending on season), international volunteers can learn quickly and experience what a whole day of work is like at a wildlife rehabilitation centre. There is also the opportunity to help train new volunteers (depending on placement duration) and take on new responsibilities.

Outside volunteering, you will have time to experience life in one of the most unique cities in the world and get to travel around Beautiful British Columbia, with three days off per week to take trips!

We are unable to assist international volunteers with accommodation, meals, flights, passports, sponsorship, visas or any other travel documents you might need but we work with some great partner agencies who can!

Please contact us for details of the agencies we partner with that can assist you with your travel plans. We look forward to having you on board!

*If you already live in the Lower Mainland/Fraser Valley, you should apply as a regular volunteer.

Group Volunteering

Wildlife Rescue welcomes the support of corporate and community groups looking to participate in a day of light landscaping, cleaning, or maintenance projects.

Please find more information here: Corporate Group / Community Group 

To participate in a day of corporate or community Group Volunteering, please review the relevant document above, then email the Volunteer Program team at volunteer@wildliferescue.ca with a proposed date, number of volunteers (up to 15 is preferred), and how many hours (3-8) you’d like to volunteer.

Regular Programs

We offer a variety of volunteer opportunities to match a range of talents and interests:

Gardening & Maintenance – We have a large site which takes a team of dedicated volunteers to maintain. Maintenance and Gardening Volunteers are extremely valuable to us as these costs can quickly escalate when sourcing professional help.

Still have questions? Check out our FAQ sheet here!

View Current Opportunities

HOW TO APPLY

For Work Experience and Practicum, please follow the application guidance under the relevant heading.

For International Volunteers, please contact volunteer@wildliferescue.ca for a list of partner agencies.

For Group Volunteering, please review the document and contact volunteer@wildliferescue.ca with a proposed date, time, duration (3-8 hours) and number of participants (up to 15 preferred).

For all other applicants:

To be eligible to volunteer you will need to:

• Be 14 years of age or older (14-15 year-olds are restricted to the seasonal role of Welcome Volunteer due to the health risks associated when working with wild animals), and
• Commit to a minimum of 100 hours
  • Most roles require a weekly 4-hour regular shift

• Be willing to consent to a Criminal Record Check
• Be fully vaccinated against Tetanus (within the last 10 years)

Apply Here

 

To get involved as a volunteer, please fill out an application:

 

Volunteer

Apply now >

 

CURRENT VOLUNTEER LOGIN

Already a volunteer? Need to login to your account? Click here.

If you are logging in with a mobile device, click here.

“Volunteering at Wildlife Rescue has allowed me to connect with dozens of like-minded people who share the same passion for wildlife and nature. It’s very rewarding!”

– Maggie D, Animal Care Volunteer

 

Giving

Through your backing, we provide care for more than 5,000 animals a year, giving them a second chance at a natural life. You will receive a charitable tax receipt for your donation. We can because you care! Read more

Volunteering

Wildlife Rescue is powered by volunteer support. Throughout the year there are hundreds of volunteers who share their time and expertise for all facets of the organization. Read more

Membership

As a member of Wildlife Rescue, you are joining a committed group of people who value nature and all its wildlife. Choose your membership path today! Read more