General Support Volunteer

  Purpose

Because of the high volume of animals that pass through Toronto Wildlife Centre, an immense amount of resources are dedicated to both maintaining the upkeep of the facility and ensuring that supplies are cleaned and readily accessible for Wildlife Care.

  How Volunteers Help

With upwards of 6000 animals coming to the centre each year, maintaining the centre is a constant challenge.  By helping with all of the tasks that fall outside of the direct care of animals, General Support Volunteers play an essential role in keeping Toronto Wildlife Centre running smoothly.

Example of Activities

1)   Washing food and water dishes

2)   Sweeping and mopping Wildlife Care rooms

3)   Washing sheets, blankets and bedding used by animal patients

4)   Folding of clean laundry

5)   Cleaning various animal cages

Qualifications/Requirements

• 14 years of age or older – Under 18 will require consent
• Basic Understanding of English
• Interest in and respect for the unique needs of wild animals
• Updated tetanus vaccination
• Volunteers are required to attend a General Orientation Session at TWC and will be interviewed thereafter.

Training

All training for General Support Volunteers is given on site

  Timeframe

Because there is generally less training involved in the General Support position, Volunteers have a little more flexibility in the times they can volunteer.  As a result, General Support fits well for a variety of different volunteers including those looking to fulfill community service hours or those whose schedules can’t accommodate one regularly scheduled shift a week.

In addition, all high school students who are interested in Wildlife Care will be asked to spend their first 40 volunteer hours in General Support.  This allows students to have a sound introduction to Toronto Wildlife Centre and gives them an opportunity to decide if continuing on at the  centre is something they would like to pursue.  

   Location

   Toronto Wildlife Centre (Sheppard and Keele) 

   Benefits

• Experience a unique placement that fits well with individuals new to volunteering

• Assist sick, injured and orphaned wildlife without being directly involved in their care

• Earn a reference letter based on your efforts

• Expand knowledge of native species in regards to natural history, diet and behaviour

• Complete community service hours while potentially earning an opportunity to enter into Wildlife Care

How to apply

Those interested in the General Support Volunteer Opportunity should complete a Volunteer application.  Please send the completed form to the address listed at the bottom of the application.  Once it has been received, the Volunteer Coordinator will contact you about attending a General Information session.