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?
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?
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!
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.
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.
Wildlife Rescue welcomes the support of corporate and community groups looking to participate in a day of light landscaping, cleaning, or maintenance projects. On certain occasions, we might be able to offer different activities as well. Groups can be accommodated year-round, but projects will change depending of the season, and we kindly ask you to contact us a couple months in advance to allow us enough time to prepare to give you a great experience. All group volunteering experiences will start with a comprehensive introduction to WRA, who we are, what we do, the journey of a patient, a tour through our site, and we will be open to answer any questions you might have.
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 (between 4 and 8 is preferred, larger groups might be accommodated for certain projects), and how many hours (3-5) you’d like to volunteer.
We would love to host your group for a day at the Wildlife Rescue Association of BC!
We offer a variety of volunteer opportunities to match a range of talents and interests:
Wildlife Hospital – Animal Care and Staff Assistant roles perform essential animal care and maintenance tasks in Wildlife Hospital including preparing diets for patients and cleaning enclosures. Volunteers work together with staff to provide the best medical care and rehabilitation possible with the goal of releasing animals back into the wild.
Wildlife Support Centre – Wildlife Helpline and Admissions roles answer inquiries from the public and admit wildlife to the hospital while educating the public on how to co-exist peacefully with local wildlife. Rescue, Transport, and Release roles help injured and orphaned wildlife get to and from Wildlife Rescue.
Office Administration – Office Assistants help with various administrative projects in all departments of our organization to increase our output and reach. Some roles include Volunteer Recruitment Assistant, Resource Coordinator, Data Entry, Editor, Grant Writer, and Health & Safety Committee Member.
Education & Outreach – Education & Outreach roles organize Wildlife Rescue’s presence at many local events where we educate the public on how to co-exist peacefully with local wildlife and encourage people to get involved.
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.
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).
To be eligible to volunteer you will need to:
To get involved as a volunteer, please fill out an application:
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
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
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
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