Animal Care Volunteer
Whether working in the office, hospital or out in the field, volunteers are the driving force behind CWC. From animal care to event planning, administration, public relations and community outreach, CWC’s dedicated volunteers selflessly assume the many responsibilities of maintaining the organization’s mission and ensuring its future success. In 2007 they gave 12,000 hours of volunteer time.
Working with wildlife is fun and rewarding. By volunteering at CWC you'll be able to help a wide variety of local birds and mammals. To become an animal care volunteer, you must:
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Become a member of CWC
- Complete "Basic Training for New Volunteers" covering natural history, species identification, safe capture, and handling.
- Commit to a life-enriching minimum of 8 hours per month, preferably in 4-hour shifts on the same week days and hours (e.g. consecutive Sunday afternoons). Longer shifts will give you more opportunities to work directly with animals.
Duties include, but are not limited to food preparation, feeding animals, participating in rescues, cleaning cages, and laundry. Wear old clothes - you may get dirty.
Basic Training for New Volunteers 2008
CWC has developed an intensive volunteer training session designed to prepare all volunteers for the spring and summer busy seasons. Each volunteer will attend an all-day training session held at the Center.
Please RSVP to (818)222-2658 or volunteer@californiawildlifecenter.org. The cost is $10 for materials, plus CWC membership.
Wildlife Rehabilitation Internship 2008
This program is under the direction of Cynthia Reyes, Hospital Manager.
Responsibilities:
Assist staff and volunteers with all aspects of animal care including, but not limited to:
- Daily husbandry-related activities including medical treatments, cleaning, diet preparation and feeding in the Intensive Care Unit and the Baby Care Unit.
- Assist with intake procedures for new patients.
- Provide guidance to callers with wildlife-related questions.
- Assist in performing animal releases.
- Assist in marine mammal rescues.
- Attend advanced wildlife and animal care classes and seminars.
- Complete and present a case note study.
Educational Benefit to the Student:
- Direct wildlife care experience under the supervision of California Wildlife Center staff.
- Gain experience with raptors, songbirds, land mammals, pelagic birds, and marine mammals.
- Opportunity to learn the local, state, and federal requirements in the care and treatment of protected and endangered species.
- Learn advanced skills from wildlife experts with hands-on experience and through specialized classes.
Housing/Transportation:
Housing and transportation are generally the responsibility of the intern. It is possible that students may stay on premises on a first come - first served basis (a small fee may apply). Must have own transportation and current drivers license.
Qualifications:
Must be 18 years of age or older. Science, medical care or natural science background required. Must be able to lift minimum of 50 lbs. Work performed requires lifting, bending, stooping, pushing and other moderately strenuous activities. Must have respect for wildlife and courtesy towards the public. At the time of the interview, the applicant must demonstrate proof of a negative TB test within the past year and a current tetanus vaccination.
Please submit a resume to Cynthia Reyes, along with a letter of intent (please include the Session you are applying for) and two (2) letters of recommendation. A telephone interview will be scheduled after your application has been received. If you have any questions or would like to visit the hospital, please email Cynthia Reyes at cynthia@californiawildlifecenter.org to schedule a short in-person interview or hospital tour.
Schedule
There will be 4 sessions of 10 weeks. Sessions 1 and 4 will be 20 hrs/wk. Sessions 2 and 3 will be 30 hrs/wk. The session dates are:
- Session 1: March 17 - May 25 (20 hrs/wk, 4 positions total)
- Session 2: May 26 - August 3 (30 hrs/wk, 6 positions total)
- Session 3: July 7 - September 15 (30 hrs/wk, 6 positions total)
- Session 4: September 8 November 17 (20 hrs/wk, 4 positions total)
Wildlife Medicine Externship 2008
This program is under the tutelage of Dr Duane Tom, DVM.
Program Description
The emphasis will be on the medical aspect, however, the externship will provide exposure to wildlife husbandry and rehabilitation as well. This will include working with the on-site veterinarian for 19 hours/week. A wide variety of techniques will be covered, including physical exams, various diagnostic techniques and necropsies as well as being able to develop a list of possible diagnoses and treatment plans. The remainder of the time will be spent with wildlife hospital supervisors learning valuable behavioral and rehabilitation information such as animal natural histories, handling, performing treatments, animal care, feeding, and releasing of animals.
Discussions will be held each week, covering various medical subjects. The extern is also expected to complete and present a short independent project that will be presented towards the end of their externship (guidance and assistance will be provided).
Housing and Transportation
Housing and transportation are generally the responsibility of the extern. It is possible that students may stay on premises on a first come - first served basis (a small fee may apply). A vehicle and current driver’s license are highly recommended.
Requirements
The applicant must be over 18 years old and it is recommended that applicants have at least completed their second year of an undergraduate degree in Biology, Zoology, Animal Science or other related degree so that they will be able to get the most out of this program. However, because this program is directed at providing a basic introduction in wildlife medicine, enthusiasm and the ability to learn are the most important qualities. Veterinary students, pre-veterinary applicants as well as those applicants that demonstrate a prolonged interest and a career in wildlife medicine will be given priority. At the time of the interview, the applicant must demonstrate proof of a negative TB test within the past year.
Please submit a resume to Dr Duane Tom, along with a letter of intent, and two (2) professional letters of recommendation. A telephone interview will be scheduled after your application has been received. If you have any questions or would like to visit the hospital, please email Dr Tom at duane@californiawildlifecenter.org to schedule a short in-person interview.
Schedule
There will be 4 sessions of 8 weeks at 24 hr/week. The tentative session dates are:
- Session 1: March 16 - May 9
- Session 2: May 11 - July 4
- Session 3: July 6 - August 29
- Session 4: August 31 - October 24
The tentative weekly schedule is:
- Sunday: 12 hrs: 8am to 6pm
- Monday: 6 hrs: 1pm to 7pm
- Friday: 8 hrs: 10am to 6pm
Honor Roll
The following volunteers, interns, and externs have provided exceptional service to CWC. We honor them in this place.
Victoria Harris - Volunteer, Board Member, Fund Raiser
When I began my journey into the nonprofit world as a volunteer at CWC, I discovered that the hands-on experience of working with orphaned and injured wildlife is both challenging and fulfilling. And, now that we have cared for 15,000 animals since opening our doors, it is even more gratifying to witness how we have raised the bar for the level of wildlife care.
Gregg Harris Feingold - Volunteer, Construction Coordinator
When people working at a place so reliant on its volunteer base — can see immediate progress — it makes them proud. One person can make a difference… and there's no limitation on what a volunteer can do.
Glenda Singer - Volunteer 1999 to Present, Board Member
From teaching CWC's volunteer basic animal care training to heading up the internship program to Executive Director, Glenda Singer, currently on the Board of Directors, is one of the Center's most dedicated volunteers.
