Wildlife Clinic Volunteer

Volunteering at the Wildlife Clinic

The Wildlife Clinic at the Schuylkill Center 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! 

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. Applicants must first attend an volunteer training 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.

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 see the volunteer roles currently available before applying.

Available Roles

Clinic Support
Animal Care

Apply to be a Wildlife Clinic Volunteer

Volunteer Training

Baby squirrels in a pile.

Applicants must attend a volunteer training session, read and sign our volunteer agreement, and complete online ethics and safety courses before beginning any work at the clinic.

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.

Sign up for a 2025 Volunteer Training Session

Clinic Support

Two women cut up fruit and vegetables for animals in the kitchen of the Wildlife Clinic.

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.

Time Commitment: Minimum of two 4-hour shifts per month.

Prerequisites: Attend an information training session, read and sign our volunteer agreement, and complete online ethics and safety courses.

  • Learn more about Clinic Support

    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

    Clinic Support volunteer opportunities are limited to ages 16+

Animal Care

Three volunteers wearing gloves feed baby squirrels at the Wildlife Clinic

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.

Time Commitment: Minimum one 4-hour shift per week (20 hours per month).

Prerequisites: Clinic Support

  • Learn more about animal care

    The Animal Care Team works 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.

    Animal care volunteer opportunities are limited to ages 18+