Volunteering with Carolina Wildlife Care

Animal Care Volunteer
The Animal Care Volunteer works closely with the CWC staff providing hands-on care for patients at the center.   Volunteers are involved with diet preparation, administering medications, weighing and feeding animals as well as cleaning cages, kennels, and other general tasks.  Animal Care volunteers have a unique opportunity to learn more about the different species of animals they are caring for, including songbirds, waterfowl, squirrels, opossums, turtles and other wildlife.  Animal Care volunteers must commit to a regular schedule of 2 hours each week for the 12-week training period and volunteer 40 hours annually. 

Animal Care volunteers must

• Be at least 16 years old (14 accompanied by an adult)
• Have a current tetanus immunization. 
• Attend Orientation
• Commit to a 2 hour/week, 12-week training program

Carolina Wildlife Care has a Junior Volunteer program is available for youth ages 14 and 15, initially accompanied by a parent.

Foster Care
Foster Care is great for people wishing to get involved in wildlife rehabilitation, but want the additional support of Carolina Wildlife Care, rather than going it alone.  Many of CWC’s youngest patients require feedings every 3 to 3 ½ hours until they are old enough to feed on their own.  Foster Care volunteers provide specialized care anywhere from a few weeks to a few months for orphaned squirrels, opossums, rabbits, raccoons, fawns among others.  Fostering wildlife is perfect for active retired or semi-retired people, people that work from home or are self-employed.  Many of our Foster Care volunteers work full-time with flexible schedules.  Foster care volunteers are vital to the wildlife center and our ability to care for hundreds of orphaned animals.  Supplies, formula, and training provided by Carolina Wildlife Care.

Foster Care volunteers must

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a current tetanus immunization.
• Attend Orientation and an Animal Care Training class
• Commit to (2) 3 hour hands-on training sessions
• Provide a safe, quiet room free from pets, noise and human traffic
• Be extremely responsible and have time to feed and care for young animals

Wildlife Support Volunteer
This opportunity is perfect for active retired or semi-retired people who want to help wildlife, but not interested in providing hands-on care for the animals.  Wildlife Support volunteers are involved in the daily tasks of the wildlife center, and may assist with wildlife calls, helping people at the door, general cleaning, laundry, food preparation, setting up syringes and formula, and other responsibilities that assist the staff and animal care volunteers. 

Wildlife Support volunteers must

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a current tetanus immunization.
• Attend Orientation

Transport and Rescue
Many animals are dropped off at area vets, require transport to other rehabilitators, or may be injured at a location where capture and transport is needed.  Transport and Rescue Team Volunteers are on standby to transport or rescue wildlife for Carolina Wildlife Care, or assist in reuniting healthy wildlife with its mother.  Volunteers are called upon once or twice a month for case by case wildlife situations.  

Transport and Rescue volunteers must

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a current tetanus immunization.
• Attend Orientation

Recycling Volunteer
Volunteers in this area work a flexible schedule and sign up to take the aluminum can trailer to the recycling center one time each month.  The recycling program is an important source of funds for the wildlife center and helps in cleaning up the environment too!  No classroom training is involved, but personal instruction is provided.  Volunteers use own vehicle and must have a towing hitch.

Recycling volunteers must

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a reliable vehicle
• Have 2 7/8” ball on trailer hitch

Behind the Scenes Volunteer
Are you handy around the house, have plumbing or electrical skills or love to work at events or fundraisers?  If so, we have a place for you!  Behind the Scenes volunteers are crucial to the wildlife center as there is a never ending list of things to-do, often requiring just the right skills to get them done!  Volunteers in this area work a flexible schedule and are called upon as needed.  Examples of Behind the Scenes volunteer opportunities

• Cage Building and Repair
• Landscaping/Grounds Maintenance
• Fundraising/Special Events
• Graphics Design
• Plumbing
• Electrical
• Grant Writing

 Behind the Scenes volunteers must

• Be at least 18 years old
• No classroom training is required, but personal instruction is provided.