Wildlife Care Volunteer

  Purpose  

During the busy spring and summer seasons, there can be upwards of 600 wild animals in care at Toronto Wildlife Centre, with additional emergency cases arriving each day. Wildlife Care Volunteers play an integral part in the rehabilitation of patients by providing general care to the animals and assisting with facility maintenance.

  How Volunteers Help

With Toronto Wildlife Centre now receiving close to 6000 animals a year, the role and responsibilities of Wildlife Care Volunteers have never been larger.  Volunteers are principally involved with meeting the daily needs of the animal patients we admit.  As a result of their efforts, more than 2000 animals were successfully rehabilitated and released back into the wild last year.

Example of Activities

1)    Monitor, feed and weigh juvenile and adult wild animals

2)    Clean animal cages and laundry, wash equipment involved in the daily care of the animals 

3)    Maintain the upkeep of the facility

4)    Hand feed wild orphaned animals

Qualifications/Requirements

• At least 16 years of age – * Note: High school students will be asked to fill their first 40 volunteer hours in the area of General Support before moving into Wildlife Care
• Interest in and respect for the unique needs of wild animals
• Strong comprehension of English
• Updated tetanus vaccination
• Rabies vaccination not required but volunteers with the vaccine will have the opportunity to handle rabies vector species 
• Volunteers are required to attend a General Orientation Session at TWC and will be interviewed thereafter.

Timeframe

Wildlife Care Volunteers are asked to commit to one scheduled shift of four hours a week over a six month period.  The shift schedule is as follows:

Due to the popularity of the position and the relatively limited number of spaces available, please note that new Wildlife Care Volunteers may be placed on a waiting list.

As noted above, 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 while giving them an opportunity to decide if continuing on at the centre is something they would like to pursue.

Training

Wildlife Care Volunteers are required to attend a 3 hour Basic Skills Training session before staring their first shift.  Volunteers will then be paired with a staff member or a more experienced volunteer for their initial few shifts.

Location

Toronto Wildlife Centre located in Downsview Park (Sheppard and Keele)

Benefits

• Receive in depth training on the proper handling and care of a broad range of wild species

• Gain unique hands-on experience with wild animals

• Earn the opportunity to receive advance training on rare and more difficult to handle species

• Receive a reference letter based on your efforts

• Observe and assist in various rehabilitation procedures

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

How to apply

In addition to a completed application form (available by clicking here), those interested in becoming a Wildlife Care Volunteer should submit an up to date resume.  If you happen to be rabies vaccinated, please submit a copy of your vaccination record as well.