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! 

  • Upcoming Volunteer Training Sessions

    *The next volunteer info session will occur February 2025.

    Apply to be a Wildlife Clinic volunteer *HERE* to receive information about upcoming training sessions.

    The Wildlife Clinic treats most native Pennsylvania species of small mammals, birds, raptors, reptiles, and amphibians, and relies heavily on our team of dedicated volunteers to maintain our facility and provide high-quality, consistent care for more than 2000 injured, ill, and orphaned wild animals each year. With only a small staff, we can’t do this work alone, and with the support of our community we can make a difference for so many wild lives.

    Wildlife rehabilitation is a challenging, rewarding, demanding, exhilarating, and exhausting field, and it is not for everyone. Volunteers wishing to work at the Wildlife Clinic require so much more than just a love for animals.

    Regardless of your area of interest, previous experience level, or current skill set, there may be a place at the Wildlife Clinic for you. If you support the work we are doing and want to be a part of our team, please carefully review the volunteer roles currently available before applying.

    Applicants must first attend an Information Session, read and sign our volunteer agreement, and complete online ethics and safety courses before beginning any work at the clinic. For more information about our volunteer program and requirements, please carefully review the sections below.

    Working with wildlife is both a privilege and an enormous responsibility. While our application and training process may seem complex, wildlife rehabilitation is strictly regulated by state and federal laws and the Wildlife Clinic at the Schuylkill Center takes our responsibility to the animals under our care very seriously.

    Clinic Support
    Animal Care

Clinic Support (Ages 16+)

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+)

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.