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VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
The Wildlife Rescue Center would not be able to fulfill its mission without our volunteer team. Volunteers are essential in every aspect of the Center’s work, from caring for patients to community outreach. Volunteers can apply to work in many different areas depending on their availability, skills, and the needs of the Center.
All volunteers must be at least 18 years old to work with any animals. A limited number of positions are available in Quality Care and Sustainability and Habitat Restoration for applicants between the ages of 14-17. Click on the links below to learn more about our volunteer opportunities:
QUALITY CARE AND SUSTAINABILITY
MAINTENANCE, LARGE PROJECTS & GROUNDSKEEPING
ANIMAL CARE
Animal Care volunteers work alongside our expert staff rehabilitators at the Center to care for injured, ill and orphaned native Missouri wildlife. Tasks vary throughout the year, coinciding with the seasonal cycles of our local wildlife. Spring and summer work involves lots of cleaning and feeding of orphaned wildlife.
Minimum Requirements:
-Must be at least 18 years old
-Must be able to commit to one 5-8 hour shift per week for a minimum of 16 weeks
-Must pay a Volunteer Membership fee of $28 (This will cover the cost of training materials, volunteer shirt, & supplies)
-Attend a New Volunteer Orientation (offered 3 times/year)
-Complete an Intro to R1 Animal Care training course
-Complete a minimum of 4 mentoring shifts
Animal Care Shifts:
Animal Care at the Wildlife Rescue Center is divided into three sessions, approximately 16 weeks in length: Spring Baby Season (Mar-June), Summer/Fall Baby Season (Jul-Oct), and the Winter Season (Nov-Feb).
Because work in animal care requires a significant amount of training, we ask for a minimum 16-week commitment. Volunteers who complete a 16-week session have the opportunity to advance to working with more challenging species, specializing in an area of interest, assisting with rescues and releases, and more!
Available Animal Care Shifts are as follows:
Baby Season (Mar-Oct) Shift Start Times
Monday - Sunday:
AM: 8:00am
AP: 12:00pm
PM: 5:00 pm
Off-Season (Nov-Mar) Shift Start Times
Monday - Friday:
AM: 9:00 am
AP: 1:00 pm
Saturday - Sunday:
AM: 9:00 am
AP: 11:00 am
Ready to Apply? Fill out a volunteer application here.
Accepted volunteers will be emailed upon receipt of their application
Quality Care and Sustainability
Quality Care and Sustainability (QCS) volunteers play an integral role in ensuring an efficient working environment and high standards of care for wildlife patients. QCS volunteers help with diet preparation, donation processing, recycling, composting, custodial duties, and other tasks that help keep the Center functioning!
Minimum Requirements:
-Must be at least 14 years old
-Must be able to commit to at least one 3-hour shift per week for a minimum of 16 weeks
-Must pay a Volunteer Membership fee of $28 (This will cover the cost of training materials, volunteer shirt, & supplies)
-Attend a New Volunteer Orientation (offered 3 times/year)
Ready to Apply? Fill out a volunteer application here.
Accepted volunteers will be emailed upon receipt of their application
OUTREACH AND FUNDRAISING
Outreach and administration volunteers assist in a variety of areas based on interest and experience. Tasks range from wildlife patient data entry to staffing the Center’s booth at public events.
Minimum Requirements:
-Must be at least 18 years
-Must be able to commit to at least one 3-hour shift per week for a minimum of 16 weeks (Any week-day 9:00 am - 5:00 pm)
-Must pay a Volunteer Membership fee of $28 (This will cover the cost of training materials, volunteer shirt, & supplies)
-Attend a New Volunteer Orientation (offered 3 times/year)
Ready to Apply? Fill out a volunteer application here.
Accepted volunteers will be emailed upon receipt of their application
MAINTENANCE AND LARGE PROJECTS
Are you a licensed electrician, carpenter, or plumber? Use your special powers for good! Maintenance volunteers play a vital role in maintaining the Center, the grounds, and patient caging/enclosures. Tasks may include: general building maintenance as needed, cage repair and construction, grounds keeping, and assisting with large-scale projects.
Minimum Requirements:
-Must be at least 18 years old
-Must be available to assist with two or more maintenance or groundskeeping task per month for a minimum of 16 weeks
-Must pay a Volunteer Membership fee of $28 (This will cover the cost of training materials, volunteer shirt, & supplies)
-Attend a New Volunteer Orientation (offered 3 times/year)
Ready to Apply? Fill out a volunteer application here.
Accepted volunteers will be emailed upon receipt of their application
HABITAT RESTORATION
Habitat Restoration volunteers help to protect and restore biodiversity on the Wildlife Rescue Center property adjacent to Castlewood State Park. Experienced (and inexperienced) green thumbs assist with caring for and expanding native plant landscaping, maintaining compost bins, removing invasive plants, and more to maximize wildlife habitat potential!
Minimum Requirements:
-Must be at least 14 years old
-Must be able to assist with at least two habitat-restoration tasks per
month for a minimum of 16 weeks (tasks will vary depending on the season)
-Must pay a Volunteer Membership fee of $28 (This will cover the cost of training materials, volunteer shirt, & supplies)
-Attend a New Volunteer Orientation (offered 3 times/year)
Ready to Apply? Fill out a volunteer application here.
Accepted volunteers will be emailed upon receipt of their application
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