Veterinary Department Volunteer Opportunities

Veterinary Department Volunteer Opportunities

There are a variety of ways for volunteers to serve in the Center's veterinary department, depending on interests, availability, and the needs of the Center. Interested applicants can find a description of each area below, as well as requirements and availability. Due to shift restrictions in some areas, volunteer positions will not always be available.

Status:  Accepting applications July 1 - 31; next volunteer orientation is August 17 at 7:00 pm. 

Hospital Volunteers:

Hospital Volunteers assist staff and veterinarians with the care of wildlife patients. Hospital volunteers help with a variety of tasks including preparing meals, cleaning cages, washing dishes, cleaning floors, and disinfecting counters, among other tasks. Responsibilities increase with experience and demonstrated commitment. There are two types of volunteers in the Hospital:

  • Rehabilitation Team
  • Treatment Team

 

Rehabilitation Volunteers:

Pre-exposure rabies vaccination is required and a rabies titer check every two years is required to work hands-on with mammals. Those who are not rabies vaccinated may still work hands-on with birds and reptiles. 

Volunteers will work closely with the rehabilitation staff as they perform daily tasks, including but not limited to:

  • Meal preparation and daily feeding/watering
  • Cleaning, hosing, and scrubbing pens of all animals housed indoors and outdoors
  • Assist staff with capture and restraint of patients
  • Record weights and food intake
  • Cage set-up
  • Help hand-feed orphaned wildlife

  • Help in the daily exercise of raptors

  • Help with the care of our patient reptiles

  • Help with the care of our education reptiles

  • Assist with maintaining a clean and organized facility

 

Treatment Volunteers:

Pre-exposure rabies vaccination is required and a rabies titer check every two years is required to work hands-on with mammals. Those who are not rabies vaccinated may still work hands-on with birds and reptiles. 

Volunteers will work closely with the veterinary staff as they perform daily tasks including, but not limited to:

  • Cleaning, hosing, and scrubbing enclosures of all animals housed indoors and outdoors
  • Assist staff with capture and restraint of patients
  • Assist veterinary staff with daily medical treatments and record-keeping 
  • Assist veterinary staff with medication and supplies inventory
  • Assist with maintaining a clean and organized facility
  • Performing basic diagnostic tests

 

Housekeeping Volunteers:

Housekeeping volunteers assist with keeping the facility clean and organized. Daily tasks include, but not limited to:

  • Cleaning and disinfecting crates for patients
  • Sorting, folding, and putting away clean laundry
  • Washing dishes and disinfecting counters
  • Sweeping, mopping, and other daily cleaning tasks around the hospital

 

Administration Volunteers:

Administration volunteers help with medical record-keeping and updating important information of our patients in a database. Daily tasks include:

  • Medical record-keeping
  • Organization of medical records and diagnostic tests
  • Organizing data for research projects
  • Help implement protocols and procedures
  • Assist staff with supply inventory
  • Copying, scanning, and organizing documents
  • Assist with maintaining a clean and organized facility

 

Carpentry Volunteers:

Carpentry volunteers will help with maintenance and repair of facilities and enclosures, help build animal crates, boxes, enclosures, and perches, and help with special projects. Carpentry volunteers have the option of completing projects off-site. Tasks include, but are not limited to:

  • Assist with maintaining a clean and organized facility
  • Building wood boxes for squirrels, owls, woodpeckers, and other wildlife patients
  • Help with the repairs of the building and patient enclosures
  • Help in the repair and maintenance of roofs, floors, doors, plumbing, and others
  • Help in the build and design of new patient enclosures
  • Help to implement the preventive maintenance protocol for the hospital building and animal enclosures
  • Help with the removal of debris, leaves, and snow from roofs and floors

 

Applying to be a WCV Volunteer

Minimal Requirements:

  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Must have health insurance
  • Must be up-to-date on tetanus vaccination
  • Purchase a volunteer shirt ($9 for short sleeve, $12 for long sleeve)
  • Be able to commit to at least two volunteer shifts per month.

  • Fully vaccinated against COVID-19, plus booster if enough time has passed to be eligible for it.

 

Volunteer Calendar – Application Windows and Volunteer Orientations

The application window and subsequent volunteer orientations occur quarterly. After the application window, applications will be reviewed and applicants will be contacted and selected for interviews.  Training can begin following the orientation date. Volunteer orientation will be held virtually over Zoom. The volunteer calendar for 2023 is:

First Quarter

                Application window: January 1 – January 31

                Volunteer orientation: February 16th, 7:00pm

Second Quarter

                Application window: April 1 – April 30

                Volunteer orientation: May 25, 7:00pm

Third Quarter

                Application window: July 1 – July 31

                Volunteer orientation: August 17, 7:00pm

Fourth Quarter

                Application window: October 1 – October 31

                Volunteer orientation: November 16, 7:00pm

Ready to apply? Click here and fill out an application! Please also download this COVID-19 Risk Assessment form and include with your application; email to vetvolunteer@wildlifecenter.org. 

Instructions for using Adobe Reader to fill out the COVID-19 Risk Assessment form:

  • Please download the form via the above link to your computer.
  • Using the free program Adobe Acrobat Reader you will be able to fill out the form and save it to your computer.
  • Do not use your browser to fill out the form and save it – it may not save the populated fields.
  • To begin filling out the form click on "Fill & Sign." Only Adobe Acrobat will ensure that these fields are saved.
  • Save the form and email the completed PDF.
     

Volunteers work with a team for scheduled shifts throughout the day that they set for themselves. Preferred shifts are in the morning from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm and in the evening from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm. However, we understand that volunteers are donating their time to us, so there is some flexibility with these time frames. We understand schedules change and appreciate the time you are willing to donate.

Prior animal handling experience is not required for volunteering. We will happily train you!

Learn more about our outreach and transport volunteer opportunities. 

Thanks for your interest in volunteering with the Wildlife Center of Virginia!