California Wildlife Center Intensive Care Unit Volunteer

Wildlife Intensive Care Unit volunteers will assist staff and interns with different aspects of animal care within the general wildlife hospital (Intensive Care Unit, ICU) at California Wildlife Center (CWC).

Volunteers are required to commit to a minimum of six months, volunteering at least one 4-hour shift per week (same day and time per week required).

What volunteers can be taught:

·Daily routines that include laundry, cleaning around the hospital, and dishwashing

·Daily husbandry-related activities including diet preparation, cleaning indoor and outdoor enclosures, and delivering diets to various patients

·Assist with intake procedures for new patients

·Species identification and determining specific care requirements based on natural history and species behavior

·Assist with wildlife releases

·Create and deliver animal enrichment

·Learn about the natural history and behavior of native California wildlife

·Assist in transporting wildlife from local animal shelters if desired by the volunteer

·Safe handling skills for a wide variety of native orphaned baby birds/ baby mammals

·Safe handling skills for a wide variety of wildlife including raptors, pelagic birds, songbirds, reptiles, and mammals

·Feeding and tending to a wide variety of Native Southern California bird species including but not limited to crows, ravens, finches, sparrows, doves, pigeons, jays, and woodpeckers.

·Feeding and tending to a variety of Native California terrestrial mammal species including but not limited to squirrels, opossums, and rabbits

·Other duties as assigned

Volunteers in the ICU department are not guaranteed hands-on animal handling time.