Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley

Volunteers are the backbone of our organization. From animal care to data entry, volunteers keep the Wildlife Center, and our animals, alive! Whatever volunteer opportunity you choose, your contribution of time makes a BIG difference and gives wildlife a second chance. The Wildlife Center is a great place for people who love working with animals or for individuals seeking a career in animal care who are seeking a hands-on experience. Not only can you have all of your animal questions answered, working here is fun, and nothing beats the satisfaction of caring for an injured animal and watching it as it is returned to the wild.

Volunteers help care for the over 5,000 sick, injured and orphaned animals that come through our Center each year. Most animals arrive during April through September, the "baby season." Over 150 volunteers are needed to help with the enormous task of caring for them. During the remainder of the year, we continue to rehabilitate animals that are sick, injured or orphaned.   Click here for inspirational stories about some of our stellar volunteers!

I'm interested - how do I volunteer?

Wildlife arriving at the Center need immediate and constant care as the first step toward a successful rehabilitation and release back to the wild. Birds and mammals must be fed, medicated and kept in clean surroundings. Animal care volunteers are essential to meet the needs of the wildlife during their temporary stay. Volunteers must be willing to do laundry, dishes and a variety of other cleaning jobs. We have two to three shifts per day depending on the season, seven days a week. Center volunteers are asked to commit to the same shift(s) each week. Hours vary with the season.

Home Care

Do you have room in your home to care for injured and orphaned birds and mammals until they are ready for release? If your living situation and lifestyle allow you to join our home care team, we need you! Different species require different time commitments and housing requirements. You provide the food and some supplies and we provide the training. A truly rewarding experience!

Education & Community Outreach

One of the most important missions of WCSV is to inform and educate the public about wildlife issues and how people can co-exist with the wildlife around them. Join the team and visit community groups, outreach programs, summer camps and schools in an effort to encourage people to live harmoniously with wildlife. Training provided - all you need is enthusiasm.

Transport Team

Volunteers with a valid California Driver's license and a vehicle large enough to hold 1-2 large animal carriers are needed to transport animals. Transportation could be to a vet appointment, or assisting with a pick-up of an injured or orphaned animal.

In addition, The Humane Society of Silicon Valley receives injured, orphaned or trapped animals each day. These animals need to be transported to our Center so that we can provide the medical, rehabilitation and release services that they require. Volunteers sign up for one shift a week (morning or afternoon) to transport the wildlife from the Humane Society to our Center.

Professional Services

Lend your professional skills or the skills of your firm to one of our events or projects! From lega advice, accounting oversite to catering, we can put your skills to great use!

Newsletter

Share your writing, editing, and/or proofreading talents. We are looking for volunteers who can take photographs, write articles, and help with layout or design for our Tracks newsletter.

Fundraising

Help us with fundraising events that encourage the community to support WCSV. We need help with mailings and are also looking for volunteers to help with grant writing.

Office Support, Center Maintenance & Repairs

We often need help in the office with data entry, mailings, filing, and other general office duties. If you prefer the outdoors, many new aviaries and enclosures need to be built and existing structures are need to of repaired. There is also a need for general facility upkeep and maintenance, include maintaning the grounds.

The Next Step - How do I Volunteer?

Requirements:

	Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age.
	Certain types of animal care require experience or additional training in order to guarantee safe human/animal interactions, such as working with predatory mammals.
	Volunteers must be willing to become a member of WCSV; low-income memberships are available.
Training you can expect:

	Orientation and Overview Meeting
	Basic Care Class - Safe Animal Handling.
	Other classes throughout the year on specific topics including animal care, diseases, and identification of species.

Call 408-929-9453 or email to find out about the next orientation session!