Be A Member!
Volunteers for Wildlife is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Your financial donations are completely tax-deductible and go directly to the animals in our wildlife clinic. We depend solely upon the kindness and generosity of those in our membership and event sponsors. Although we are located in a New York State Historic Park, we do not currently receive funding from the State.
If you are not a current member, please consider becoming one today. Membership benefits include: our quarterly newsletter, a 10% discount in our Gift Shop, discounted rates on special education programs and summer camp, and more.
Become a Volunteer!
Our active member volunteers are involved in all aspects of wildlife rehabilitation, from helping out in the office to rescuing wildlife and caring for them in our wildlife clinic. We offer in-house training and special workshops to our active member volunteers in addition to regular membership benefits.
Wildlife rehabilitation is a fascinating field which allows you to experience first hand the satisfaction of helping an orphaned or injured animal return to its natural habitat.
To be a volunteer you must be a member. Please join us! Download a membership form. Once we receive your membership and volunteer application, we will arrange an interview where you can visit our facility and discuss your volunteer interests.
You can select a volunteer category you are interested in or scroll down to review the details of all the volunteer opportunities.
- Animal Care Volunteer (ACV)
- Rescue/Transport Volunteer (R/T)
- Wildlife Advisory Telephone Volunteer (WAT)
- Office Volunteer
- Education Department Volunteer (Docent)
- Fundraising
- General Maintenance
- College Internships
Animal Care Volunteer (ACV)
ACVs assist the clinic staff by cleaning cages, weighing animals, preparing diets and cleaning and maintaining the facilities.
ACVs are trained in all aspects of animal care. Volunteers first attend an orientation session. Then, they begin work in the clinic, under the supervision of a senior ACV. After further training, ACVs assist in the treatment and care of patients, if they so choose.
The ACV shifts are four hours long, from 8am–12pm or from 12pm–4pm. ACVs are required to volunteer weekly and to work the same shift each week. The clinic is open seven days a week, year-round.
We are especially in need of help on the following shifts:
- Sunday AM & PM
- Monday AM
- Wednesday AM & PM
- Thursday AM & PM
- Friday AM & PM
- Saturday AM & PM
Rescue/Transport Volunteer (R/T)
R/Ts rescue mammals, birds and reptiles and transport them to our center. There are different levels of R/T volunteers; some rescue (capture & contain) and transport, and others only transport an animal that has already been contained. You must have a valid driver’s license and use your own vehicle. Training is required and includes safety and rescue procedures as well as how to log your time and mileage.
BACK TO THE TOPWildlife Advisory Telephone Volunteer (WAT)
Our WAT volunteers provide a valuable link between the public and our rehabilitation network. The WAT line receives calls from the general public, veterinary offices, police departments and others. The nature of the calls includes: distressed wildlife in need of care, nuisance wildlife, orphaned wildlife, and general wildlife questions. WAT volunteers answer calls after completing an orientation and training period.
BACK TO THE TOPOffice Volunteer
These volunteers provide office support in all areas; answering phones, photocopying, preparing mailings, filing, reception, gift shop service, and more. Weekday and weekend shifts are available. Some volunteers work on a weekly basis, but many are “on call” and help only when big projects need to be tackled.
Computer data entry is a separate category under office volunteer. These volunteers enter case records and logs of animal care. The data is used for research and compiling reports required by the Federal and State governments. Some computer experience is necessary and we will train volunteers to use our specific databases.
BACK TO THE TOPEducation Department Volunteer (Docent)
Docents are volunteer educators who are selected to perform education programs designed by the education department. Volunteers for Wildlife provides wildlife and environmental education programs to schools, libraries, civic groups, scouts, and other organizations. We mainly provide outreach programs but some groups choose to come to VW for outdoor programs. Although education experience is helpful, it is not necessary. All volunteers must complete an orientation session as well as a week long (or two weekends) training session in order to become a docent. Docents learn how to handle and transport animals in our live, permanent wildlife collection, as well as public speaking and specific education programs. After training is complete, volunteers choose their schedule according to their availability and are not required to have a regular weekly shift like the ACVs.
BACK TO THE TOPFundraising Volunteer
These volunteers help us raise the much needed funds we use to survive as an organization. They help plan or run fundraising events, assist with bulk mailings, write grants (experience necessary), and/or help allocate business sponsorships or donations. Experience is helpful as we provide minimal training in this area.
BACK TO THE TOPGeneral Maintenance Volunteer
These volunteers help maintain the clinic, outdoor aviaries, wildlife garden, and more. Those who have basic carpentry, gardening, plumbing, house painting and/or masonry experience would be of great assistance to our organization. Maintenance volunteers are not required to have a regular weekly shift; rather, we will contact you if we have a need in your field of expertise once you have signed up.
BACK TO THE TOPCollege Internships
These are non-paid, volunteer positions in all facets of Volunteers for Wildlife volunteer opportunities. College credits are awarded through the school you are currently attending and it is up to the intern to file all required paperwork. This is a great opportunity to gain experience in the following fields: wildlife rehabilitation, clinic procedures, wildlife research, environmental education, and fundraising. Internships are awarded to qualified students in their area of interest through an interview process. Internships are offered on a very limited basis and some are seasonal. Please call us for more information (631) 423-0982 box 5.
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