Volunteer Opportunities

Carolina Wildlife Care has only a small number of paid staff, so we rely on volunteers to do many things inside and outside the Center. So, how can you get involved?  Maybe you want to help one day a week in animal care at the Center, or be willing to rescue and transport wildlife in need? Whatever your interests, CWC has a place for you.  CWC volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds, but all possess a strong love for wildlife and the environment we share.

As a volunteer you can expect to

• feel a sense of accomplishment and connection to nature
  
• learn about South Carolina wildlife and how to nurture it
  
• be part of a caring team who share a love and concern for animals
  
• know your involvement has a direct and indirect impact on the lives of wildlife

Without the helping hands of all of our volunteers, Carolina Wildlife Care would not the special place that it is today. Join us in giving wildlife a second chance and do your part to restore the balance of nature!

Rehabilitation Volunteer Opportunities
Rehabilitation volunteers work during one of three shifts at the wildlife center with our rehabilitation staff and interns to prepare foods and formulas, feed a variety of wildlife patients, clean cages and care facilities, set up outdoor cages, and take part in releasing animals back into the wild. No previous experience in wildlife rehabilitation is necessary. CWC welcomes rehabilitation volunteers during all months, but a 2 hour commitment per week during the months of June, July and August is requested. New volunteers attend an orientation and receive "hands-on" training in diets, feeding techniques etc. Volunteers must be 16 years old and have signed parental consent. A $15 application fee is required to cover the costs of classroom training materials. Click here for rehabilitation volunteer application.

Shift Times: 9 am—1pm 1 pm– 5 pm 5 pm—9 pm
Volunteer shifts are available 7 days a week.

*Training is held at Carolina Wildlife Care’s wildlife rehabilitation center

Foster Care/Wildlife Rehabilitator
Each season, the wildlife center takes in hundreds of baby mammals. The younger ones will need more care than what can be given on a normal day at Carolina Wildlife Care. Foster Care volunteers provide temporary care for baby squirrels, opossums, bunnies and fawns at their homes. Some babies need home care for a couple of weeks; others may need care longer. Once they are old enough, they return to the wildlife center for conditioning in pre-release cages.

Carolina Wildlife Care is always looking for foster care volunteers, especially throughout the busy spring and summer seasons. By offering your time, energy, and home to wildlife in need, you are important part in giving that animal a second chance at living life in the wild. These animals are not raised as pets, but as the wild animals they are.

For those that want to take animal care a bit further, serving as a foster care volunteer is a great way to get the training and support you need to do wildlife rehabilitation on your own. The more Foster Care volunteers we have, the more lives we will be able to save.

“Hands-on” training and classroom instruction is provided on the animal’s care. Supplies are also provided for those meeting all qualifications. Volunteers must be 18 years old. A $15 application fee is required to cover the costs of classroom training materials. Click here for foster care/wildlife rehab application.

*Training is held at Carolina Wildlife Care’s wildlife rehabilitation center

Junior Volunteer
A Junior Volunteer program is available for young people 14 to 15 years of age.  Junior Volunteers must have signed parental consent, and a parent must attend orientation and volunteer with the Junior Volunteer.  These young volunteers initially work alongside a parent to perform the same tasks that are done by other volunteers and are subject to the same requirements.  Once a Junior Volunteer has completed the orientation and initial training, the Volunteer Coordinator may (after consultation with animal care staff) allow the young person to work without parental supervision. A $15 application fee is required (for both Junior Volunteer and parent) to cover the costs of classroom training materials. Click here for junior volunteer application.

Other Volunteer Opportunities

Wildlife Emergency Transport (WET)
Join the WET team and be an important part in saving wildlife! Injured and orphaned animals arrive to Carolina Wildlife Care from across the Midlands and beyond. To get them the medical and supportive care that they need, often requires the assistance of Wildlife Emergency Transport volunteers bringing them to Carolina Wildlife Care or to provide transport from a vet’s office to CWC or another facility. Sometimes this may involve a little more driving, but being a part of our wildlife emergency transport network is a necessary and rewarding part of wildlife rehabilitation! Wildlife emergency transport is a good area for those people working out of the home, because availability and dependability are important traits for transport volunteers. People need to be available to transport wildlife from within the Midlands. No classroom training is involved for this area, but personal instruction will be provided on how to safely capture and secure an animal that might be injured. Click here for special volunteer application.

Education & Exhibits
Carolina Wildlife Care has an immediate need for education & exhibit volunteers. Education volunteers assist with CWC’s environmental outreach program by delivering wildlife programs to schools, scouts and other types of groups. Hundreds of children each year are thrilled to learn more about the wildlife in their own backyards and nothing brings home the importance of that connection more than CWC’s live “wildlife ambassadors”. Volunteers in this area must love both animals and people, and bring a real enthusiasm about the wonders of wildlife and the environment.

Carolina Wildlife Care also participates in community events all over the Midlands. Our exhibits are typically manned by two people, one that is qualified to handle the animals and the other that is there to talk with visitors, answer questions, and educate the public on wildlife.

Participating at public events is a wonderful way for Carolina Wildlife Care to gain exposure throughout the community and make a real connection with people that we might not have reached otherwise. Volunteers in this area must have a working knowledge of the organization, local wildlife, and a good sense of humor.  Duties include setting up and breaking down exhibits, representing CWC to the public, and some animal care. Volunteers must be 18 years old. New volunteers attend an orientation and receive "hands-on" training in basic wildlife care. A $15 application fee is required to cover the costs of classroom training materials. Click here for special volunteer application.

Landscaping
Carolina Wildlife Care is proud of our center and need people with a green thumb to help keep the outside beautiful! CWC has an on-going need for volunteers to help with landscaping, mulching, mowing and trimming, weeding, pruning and simple gardening. We want everyone who comes to Carolina Wildlife Care to feel and see just what a special place it is, both inside and out. No classroom training is involved for this area, but personal instruction will be provided. Click here for special volunteer application.

Recycling Program
This is among the easiest and most beneficial ways to give back to the community and help wildlife at the same time. The recycling program provides an extremely important source of funds for CWC. Not only does it bring in much needed resources to care for the animals, but it is also a great way to take care of the environment that we share with them!

Volunteers in this area work a flexible schedule and sign up to do a specific task; either take the aluminum can trailer to the recycling center one time each month or package ink jet and laser cartridges for shipping.  No classroom training is involved for this area, but a personal instruction will be provided. Click here for special volunteer application.

Building & Repair Crew
If you are handy around the house or love to work with wood, we have a place for you! Maintaining our facility and grounds is crucial to the daily operations of the center and the overall health and care of our wildlife patients. At Carolina Wildlife Care, all of the cages and aviaries are heavily used and often in need of repair. Doors or rotten wood might need replacing, or screens on aviaries needing a quick repair. There is a never ending list of things to-do needing just the right touch to get them done!

Building and Repair volunteers also help by serving as “leaders” during “Clean Up Days” where we invite individuals and groups to assist with projects around the center. Volunteers in this area can work a flexible schedule and sign up to handle a specific task or help on an as-needed basis. No classroom training is involved for this area, but a personal instruction will be provided. Click here for special volunteer application.

Housekeeping
There is much more to keeping the center functioning than feeding the animals and cleaning cages.  Volunteers in this area help the staff maintain the Center with daily tasks like washing and folding laundry, washing syringes and nipples, emptying dishwasher and other kitchen work, sweeping, and other light cleaning inside the center.  You are immersed into the action and daily activities of the wildlife center without providing hands-on care to the animals. No classroom training is involved for this area, but personal instruction will be provided. Click here for special volunteer application.

You or your company can sign up to be a Special Projects Volunteer
Don’t think you can commit time on a regular basis, but still want to volunteer?  Maybe you have experience with event planning, graphics design, or you want to volunteer with a scout group, church or community group? Maybe your company or group will want to join organizations like NAI Avant, Security Federal Bank or the University of South Carolina and sign up to participate in one of CWC’s Clean Up days?

Carolina Wildlife Care can contact you when we have clean up days, projects, or special needs.  Simply fill out a special volunteer application or call Ann Yancey, Volunteer Coordinator, at 803-791-1666, with your Company’s or Organization’s Name, Phone Number, Address, and the number of people interested in volunteering. Once received, you will be contacted about dates and projects available.