Wild ARC relies on the assistance of many volunteers throughout the year, with the majority of animal care activity between April - October. Recruitment and training takes place mostly in the spring to prepare for our busy baby season. Interested in finding out more? Orientation sessions are a great way to learn more about volunteer opportunities without making a firm commitment.

Please contact Wild ARC at info@wildarc.com or 250-478-9453 to RSVP for one of the following 2010 orientation dates (seating is limited). All orientations are held at Wild ARC unless otherwise specified.

2010 Orientation Dates

• Wednesday February 24th @ 6-8pm
• Monday March 1st @ 6-8pm
• Thursday March 18th @ 6-8pm
• Wednesday March 31st @ 6-8pm
• Tuesday April 6th @ 6-8pm
• Thursday April 8th @ 6-8pm
• Saturday April 17th @ 10am-12pm
• Tuesday May 4th @ 6-8pm
• Saturday May 8th @ 6-8pm
• Other dates TBD if needed

Volunteer Application

Download a volunteer application and bring it with you to the orientation session or mail-in at anytime of the year. During the fall and winter if volunteer needs are low, we will keep your information on file for any upcoming orientations or volunteer vacancies.

Wild ARC Volunteer Application

Keen to start?

Following the orientation session, all new animal care volunteers will complete 6 hours of in-class training. Times and dates for classes in Animal Health & Husbandry, Baby Bird Care and Mammal Care will be available at the orientation session. You must attend an orientation before signing up for training.

Volunteer Opportunities

Please review the job descriptions for each of the volunteer opportunities available and consider the commitment and training required before completing the application.

Animal Care Volunteer

Responsibilities:

Assist staff with care of wildlife patients and maintenance of the care facility
Prepare diets and give feedings
Clean cages and aviaries
Laundry, dishes and general cleaning duties
Set up habitats for indoor and outdoor animals

Requirements

Minimum 19 years of age (students age 16-18 may volunteer through work experiences programs)
Must read and agree to abide by BC SPCA Wild ARC guidelines and ethics
Proof of current tetanus shot; Good physical stamina and health
Reliable attendance
Good communication skills and the ability to work alone
Patient and comfortable around small birds and mammals

Benefits

Unique opportunity to work as a team assisting wildlife
Expand knowledge and skills in animal care
Increase knowledge of local wildlife species, ecology, and urban wildlife management

Training and Commitment

Must complete approx. six hours of in class training (covering animal husbandry, wildlife diseases, baby bird and mammal care) before shadowing a senior volunteer and beginning a regular weekly shift
Required to commit to a minimum of one 4 hour shift once a week for 6 months, although many volunteers will stay throughout the year

Spit ‘n’ Polish Volunteer

Responsibilities

Assist with regular cleaning and organization
Laundry, dishes, washing cages, and general cleaning duties
Food and supplies inventory

Requirements

Minimum 19 years of age (students age 16-18 may volunteer through work experiences programs)
Must read and agree to abide by BC SPCA Wild ARC guidelines and ethics
Proof of current tetanus shot; Good physical stamina and health
Reliable attendance
Able to prioritize and work alone
Good communication skills

Benefits

Help care for wildlife patients by keeping the facility running smoothly

Training and Commitment

Basic Orientation and Animal Health workshop
Required to commit to a minimum of one 2 hour shift once a week for 4 months, although many volunteers will stay throughout the year

Facility Maintenance Volunteer

Responsibilities

Help maintain function of the facility and its structures
Work with staff to design and develop safe structures for containing wildlife patients
Creative maintenance of existing structures

Requirements

Minimum 19 years of age (students age 16-18 may volunteer through work experiences programs)
Must read and agree to abide by BC SPCA Wild ARC guidelines and ethics
Proof of current tetanus shot; Good physical stamina and health
Reliable attendance
Handy with tools

Benefits

Try out your new tools! (or use ours)
Help wildlife using skills you already have

Training and commitment

Basic Orientation and Animal Health workshop
Flexible but requires a minimum of 6 hours per month

Work Party and Project Volunteer

Responsibilities

Participate in annual or novel projects
Contribute to the growth and maintenance of the facility through group work parties or individual projects (such as data entry or gardening)

Requirements

Must read and agree to abide by BC SPCA Wild ARC guidelines and ethics
Proof of current tetanus shot; Good physical stamina and health
Good communication and interpersonal skills
Reliable attendance

Benefits

With the minimum age limit a bit more flexible, teach your older kids the importance of volunteering for your community AND help wild animals at the same time!

Training and Commitment

Basic Orientation before assisting on group or individual projects
Flexible but requires a minimum of 4 hours per month

Education Committee Volunteer

Responsibilities

Contribute to education programs for schools and community groups
Develop and deliver age specific education programs

Requirements

Must read and agree to abide by BC SPCA Wild ARC guidelines and ethics
Demonstrated teaching experience or interest
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Oral presentation and public speaking experience
Independent research ability and computer skills
Reliable attendance
Criminal record check

Benefits

Gain experience in public speaking
Help wildlife by educating the public about Wild ARC, why we need a facility such as Wild ARC, and how we can co-exist with and reduce human impact on wild animals

Training and Commitment

Basic Orientation, Animal Health, Baby Bird Care and Mammal Care workshops
Flexible but requires a minimum of 4 hours per month

Outreach Volunteer

Responsibilities

Educate the public about Wild ARC through community events and fundraisers
Participate in community booths and organized fundraisers

Requirements

Must read and agree to abide by BC SPCA Wild ARC guidelines and ethics
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Enjoy working with the public
Reliable attendance

Benefits

Gain experience in small and large scale fundraising
Help wildlife by educating the public about Wild ARC

Training and Commitment

Basic Orientation, Animal Health, Baby Bird Care and Mammal Care workshops
Flexible but requires a minimum of 4 hours per month

Community Council Volunteer

Responsibilities

To increase community support and understanding of Wild ARC through coordination of activities such as fundraising, special events and advocacy

Requirements

Must read and agree to abide by BC SPCA Wild ARC guidelines and ethics
Skills vary based on activity participation but must have overall interest in fundraising and outreach
Good communication and interpersonal skills
Reliable attendance

Training and Commitment

Basic Orientation and attendance to CAC meetings before nomination
Attend CAC meetings every 3-4 weeks; Flexible for events or activities but requires a minimum of 8-16 hours per month

Enrichment Team

Responsibilities

Enrich the habitat of animals in care
Collect greenery, browse, bark, pine cones and other natural enrichments
Ensure cages contain fresh enrichments

Requirements

Must be an active Wild ARC volunteer in another capacity

Benefits

Take pleasure in the pleasure of the animals!

Training and Commitment

Basic Orientation and Animal Health workshops
A minimum of 2 hours per week for 4 months