Wildlife Clinic Volunteer
Volunteering at the Wildlife Clinic
The Schuylkill Center Wildlife Clinic relies on our dedicated volunteers to care for the thousands of animals we serve every year. We welcome you to join us in caring for wildlife!
Clinic Support (Ages 16+)
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Time Commitment: Minimum of two 4-hour shifts per month.
Clinic Support volunteers are the foundation of daily clinic operations. Members of this team carry out essential tasks that do not involve hands-on animal treatment, allowing Animal Care staff and volunteers to dedicate their time to individual patients. This program is open to volunteers aged 16 years and up and is a prerequisite for all Animal Care training.
The Clinic Support Team assists with maintaining a clean and organized facility, and tasks include, but are not limited to:
- Washing dishes and feeding implements
- Cleaning and sanitizing enclosures and caging
- Washing and disinfecting floors and counters
- Washing and folding laundry
- Cage and enclosure set-up and preparation
- Diet and nutrition preparation
Animal Care (Ages 18+)
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Prerequisites: Clinic Support
Time Commitment: Minimum one 4-hour shift per week (20 hours per month).
Animal Care volunteers assist staff with the direct care of wildlife patients. Responsibilities increase with experience and demonstrated commitment and skills training will depend on seasonal needs. No prior veterinary or animal handling experience is needed. Volunteers must be 18 years or older. Reliability and ability to adhere to a strict shift schedule is essential.
The Animal Care Team will work closely with the rehabilitation staff as they perform daily tasks including:
- Meal preparation and distribution
- Assisting staff with capture and restraint of patients
- Cage and enclosure set-up and maintaining proper environment
- Record daily weights and food intake
- Monitoring progress of patients
- Hand-feeding orphaned birds and mammals
- Continued assistance with Clinic Support tasks
Animal Care training is divided into different levels to build volunteers’ skills and knowledge base over time. There is so much to learn with animal care that it is easy to get overwhelmed, so each volunteer will progress at their own speed based on the completion of training activities and the recommendations of staff and senior volunteer mentors.