Volunteer

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 helps give wildlife a second chance. The Wildlife Center is a great place for people who are passionate about wildlife conservation, and for those interested in gaining experience toward an animal-related career. Even if you’re not working directly with the animals, watching as they are returned back to the wild is a powerful and extremely satisfying experience.

Click here for inspirational stories about some of our stellar volunteers!

In a variety of ways, volunteers help care for roughly 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.

I’m interested. How do I volunteer?

How You Can Help

Animal Care

In-Center Care: All Animals
The Wildlife Center is a medical facility and our animal care volunteers are crucial in meeting the needs of the wildlife in temporary residence. Birds and mammals must be fed, medicated and kept in clean surroundings. Volunteers must be willing to do laundry, dishes and a variety of other cleaning jobs. At our busiest, we have 3, 4-hour shifts per day and volunteers sign up for at least one shift per week and make a commitment to remain through September.

In-Center Care: Squirrels Only
This is a new volunteer position as of Spring 2010 that focuses on squirrels that are being rehabilitated at the Center. These are mainly newly admitted orphans before they get sent to home care; squirrels who come in to the Center a little older, so may not need home care; and the juveniles in our outdoor enclosures who are in the final stage before release.

This opportunity is a good option for people who would like to help rehabilitate squirrels but who aren’t in a position to care for them at home and who can’t commit to a full season of weekly shifts. Instead, volunteers will need to be available from March through June AND August through September on an on-call basis (you can provide a list of preferred days/times so we know the best times to call). The training requirements are the same as for all animal care volunteers; the only difference is that volunteers will work only with squirrels and the time commitment is less than for the general animal care position.

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 and 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. Do you enjoy talking to and sharing information with small to large groups? 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.

Office Support
We often need help in the office with data entry, mailings, filing, and other general office duties. Do you have administrative skills you’d enjoy putting to work for a great cause?

Fundraising/Event Planning
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.

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

Newsletter
Share your writing talents. We are looking for volunteers who can provide articles for our Tracks newsletter.

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.

Gardening, Center Maintenance, and Repairs
If you prefer the outdoors, we have many new aviaries and enclosures to build as well as existing structures that are in need of repair. If you have a penchant for gardening, we can always use help beautifying our outdoor area.

The Next Step—How do I Volunteer?

Requirements for becoming a WCSV volunteer:

• You are at least 16 years old.
• You attend one orientation and one basic care class (for animal care volunteers)
• You work within the Center’s guidelines.
• You volunteer at least four hours per week through September (Note: We are not able to offer community service credit for animal care.)

Training you can expect:

• Orientation and Overview Meeting
• Basic Care Class: Basics of wildlife rehabilitation including health and safety
• 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!