Defining Cute
These cute little babies were orphaned and brought to the California Wildlife Center last year during "baby season". These animals, orphaned for a number of reasons, require care and feeding by volunteers dedicated to their welfare. If you ask many volunteers what their favorite thing to do here is, they will usually answer "feeding the babies." There is nothing more adorable than a little opossum opening its mouth in a crocodile manner to try and show you how brave it is (of course it couldn't hurt a fly!), a baby bird flapping its wings in anticipation of that first flight, or a baby squirrel eager to try out its climbing ability.
"Cute" lasts a long time at CWC. Baby season usually begins at the end of February with our first influx of baby hummingbirds, followed by the baby opossums, baby squirrels and baby song birds. Baby season typically ends every year in October following a second group of baby squirrels. During our 2007 Baby Season, California Wildlife Center took in over 1,000 orphans.
Baby Care Unit
This year we are trying something different at the California Wildlife Center. We are offering our volunteers the opportunity to work exclusively with our orphaned babies in an area separate from our intensive care unit. The "Baby Care Unit" volunteers will receive specialized training in taking care of these babies to insure appropriate and consistent care. During each 6-hour shift there will also be a volunteer experienced with the care of these animals on hand to direct the day’s activities. Although the orphan care area will be run by the volunteers, there will be hospital staff available if questions/concerns arise or if the animals require medical treatment. Our veterinarian, Dr. Duane Tom, is responsible for the health and well being of the animals cared for at our facility.
Working exclusively with baby wildlife gives volunteers a ‘sense of ownership’ for these orphans. Consider asking your relatives and friends to work the same shift with you, or simply make new friends with the people on your shift. All the while you will know that you are making a positive difference for the wildlife that live all around us.
How to Volunteer
You must be willing to commit to one 6-hour shift per week (any one of 7 days a week, morning shift 8:00am — 2:00pm; afternoon shift 1:00pm — 7:00pm) during baby season. Vacations can be accommodated. Multiple training dates will be offered in the months of January and February in our new Baby Care Unit. If you are interested in this unique opportunity to help save the lives of orphaned wildlife or would like additional information, please email us at volunteer@californiawildlifecenter.org, or call us at 818-222-2658. The California Wildlife Center is located in Calabasas off Malibu Canyon Drive/Las Virgines midway between Pacific Coast Highway and the 101.
