We Need Volunteers

Wildlife rehabilitation work is multifaceted and demanding. Many permit holders burn out and their centers close after just a few years. One person can not do
the work alone but together we can make a huge difference.

Whether you are comfortable working with the animals or not, YOU have special talents we can use. If you love what we are doing and want to be a part,
please consider volunteering.

Rehab Assistant

The Rehab Assistant is a year-round volunteer position, is asked to commit
to one full year, is required to volunteer weekly and to work the same shift
each week. While we certainly work around our volunteer’s other commitments, absolute reliability insofar as manning your shift is required! College
students who can only commit to the summer should sign up
for our Nursery Care Program.

General Tasks

You will be exposed to and have the opportunity to assist with all aspects
of wildlife rehabilitation including: first aid, treatment, admissions, medications, and releases. Your main tasks will be cleaning cages, weighing animals, preparing diets and feeding the “self-feeding” animals. The Rehab Assistant
also helps with cleaning and maintaining the facilities, laundry and dishes.
Rehab Assistants are automatically approved for the Nursery Care if desired.

Nursery Care Assistant / Internship
(April through September)

The Nursery Care Assistant is a highly coveted seasonal volunteer position. Feeding baby wild animals (both mammals and birds) is a round-the-clock task that takes a special commitment and offers great personal rewards. Nursery
Care Assistants will also be asked to perform tasks associated with the Animal Care Assistant position and help other volunteers with general tasks.

General Tasks

Learn proper feeding techniques for many baby wild mammals and birds and maintain a strict feeding schedule for those animals. The Nursery Care Assistant also helps with cleaning and maintaining the facilities, laundry and dishes.

The Nursery Care shifts are a minimum of four hours long, in the morning, afternoon or evening. You are asked to commit to 2 shifts per week for
3 full months, and to work the same shift each week. While we certainly
work around our volunteer’s other commitments, absolute reliability
insofar as manning your shift is required!

Important Information

Volunteering involves working with common species of songbirds and  mammals. The care of (RVS) Rabies Vector Species (raccoons, foxes, skunks, coyotes, woodchucks and bats) is NOT part of the general volunteering program. Individuals interested in working with RVS must attend a state approved
RVS training class (when available) and have proof of rabies vaccines
or protective titer within the past 2 years.

Must be at least 18 years of age.

The application is located at the bottom of this page and can be filled out on-line

Applicants must also provide a recent CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK.

CLick Here to go to Background Check on State Police Website

Working with wildlife is both a great responsibility and a great privilege. Wildlife rehabilitation is strictly regulated by state and federal laws and Raven Ridge Wildlife Center does not take that responsibility lightly.

We are currently at our operational capacity with volunteers. If you do not hear back from us within six months but are still interested please apply again.

Volunteer Application

Important
Information
About Rabies

Rabies is a deadly disease, always fatal to humans.
It is a virus carried in the saliva of infected animals and can be passed through any tiny skin opening.

Foxes, raccoons, bats, skunks, coyotes, and groundhogs are potential carriers of rabies and should not be touched
with bare hands under
any circumstances.

If you must handle these animals, use gloves
and a thick towel for
your protection.

The only test for rabies involves destroying the animal and testing
its brain tissue.

Pennsylvania Wildlife Laws

Website by

M. Scott Oatman

© 2020 RRWC