Interested in volunteering at the Wildlife Center of Virginia?

There are several ways you can get involved...

Animal Care Volunteers

Animal care volunteers work closely with the rehabilitation staff as they perform daily feeding and cleaning tasks. Responsibilities will increase with experience and demonstrated commitment. Volunteers are welcome to come throughout the year, although early spring and late summer are the times when there is the greatest need. Volunteers must attend a one-time orientation before beginning work at the Center; orientations are typically held February/March and August/September. While there is no set time requirement for volunteering, we do encourage, at a minimum, a weekly 4-hour shift. Animal care volunteers must be 18 years old. Please contact the Outreach Coordinator at outreach@wildlifecenter.org for more information and an application.

Group / Tour Leaders

Tour leaders guide visitors on tour of the Center during Open Houses, which are held in the early spring and fall on Sunday afternoons. Volunteers must be outgoing and comfortable with people. Contact our Fundraising Coordinator at support@wildlifecenter.org

Education Volunteers

The Education Department is looking for volunteers to help provide a fun, meaningful environmental education experience in the great outdoors! Local 3rd and 4th graders hike in the George Washington National Forest and explore life as a "wild critter" with the help of a live, non-releasable wild "teacher". In the process of discovering what is around them, they learn about the precious resources that we ALL need and how to protect them.

It is a fun-filled day of laughter and wonder but we need your help! We are looking for volunteers, or "Docents", who are available for four Wednesdays in the spring and fall from 8 AM to 2 PM and can hike a mile-long trail. Curriculum is provided. Please contact the Education Department at edu@wildlifecenter.org or call 540-942-9453 for more information.

Carpentry Volunteers

Volunteers with carpentry skills are needed to build or repair various cages and flight pens for both education animals and patients. Please contact the Outreach Coordinator at outreach@wildlifecenter.org if you are able to volunteer your carpentry skills!

Transporters

Volunteer transporters from all over Virginia are needed to drive injured or orphaned animals from rescue sites to the Center, as well as transporting healthy orphans from the Center to licensed rehabilitators. Patient transport is on an as-needed basis. Calls for transport may come from the Center or from the general public. Please contact wildlife@wildlifecenter.org for more information.

Special Volunteers

Tree service volunteers or those with access to very high ladders are needed in assisting with returning young birds to nests. If interested, please contact wildlife@wildlifecenter.org. If you have any other special skills, including landscaping and/or gardening, please contact us!

Preceptorship (Internship) Opportunities are also available.

Questions about other volunteer opportunities at The Wildlife Center of Virginia can be directed to outreach@wildlifecenter.org.

Join us in making a real difference in wildlife conservation and the environment.