ATTENTION:
HHS Wildlife Center is now accepting volunteers!
We rely greatly on our volunteers for the daily operations of the organization. Join us for a Volunteer Interest and Orientation Meeting to learn more about our organization and how you can get involved. Below you will find the steps to volunteer, as well as the link to sign up for our Interest and orientation Meetings.
Scroll down to view more details on how our volunteers help us in achieving our Mission.
Volunteer Orientation and Interest Meeting
Held the Third Thursday of Every Month at 6 PM
Please Click Here to Sign-up!
Get involved in one of the many volunteer opportunities here at HHS Wildlife Center!
Volunteering is easy and fun! Here is what you need to know to begin volunteering with us:
There are two main areas in which you can volunteer: the Center and the Wildlife Rehabilitation Department::
- The Center is where Critter Care works with our Animal
- The Wildlife Rehabilitation Department is where we house admitted wildlife for onsite rehabilitation.
Volunteer Requirements:
- Volunteers must be 18 years or older**
- Commit to one 4-hour shift per week.
- Volunteers pay a yearly $40 registration fee which covers your HHS Wildlife Center T-shirt, hands-on training with experienced staff, as well as help cover the high cost of caring for the animals every day.
- New volunteers are required to attend an orientation that covers all aspects of volunteering with HHS Wildlife Center.
** If you are not 18 years of age, but you love animals and are looking to volunteer, please visit https://www.houstonhumane.org/volunteer/volunteer-opportunities.
Qualifications:
- Appreciation of all wild animals.
- A clear understanding of HHS Wildlife Center's mission
- Ability to follow instructions and willingness to assist wherever needed. All volunteers will be expected to clean cages, wash dishes, complete laundry, clean floors, etc.
- Patience and ability to communicate and work with others.
- Physical ability to spend 4 hours standing, walking, bending, twisting, and lifting.
- Reliable and punctual.
Disclaimers:
- Critter Care and On-Site Wildlife Rehabilitation Volunteers must be able to handle both live and dead insects.
- Carcass feeding - feeding portions or whole (dead) prey - is one of the ways we enrich animals' lives to support their physical, mental, and social health and to stimulate natural behaviors in the wild. Some animals in Critter Care and the Wildlife Rehabilitation Department receive whole prey in their diets.
- Tetanus shot is recommended for all Wildlife Rehabilitation and Critter Care volunteers.
- Please know that peanuts and other tree nuts are used in the diets of our animals and those with allergies may be frequently exposed.
- We are not currently providing hours for court-ordered community service.
Critter Care
Our Critter Care Crew (formerly known as Lizard Lounge) works in the Center where the HHS Ambassador Animals reside. This is the first thing the public will see when they come through the door, so it is imperative that it be maintained to the highest standards. Our ambassador animals are critical to the success of our education program and deserve the best quality diets as well as a variety of enrichment activities.
This volunteer position is responsible for the daily feeding and care of all ambassador animals. In addition, Critter Care volunteers are also responsible for washing dishes and crates, animal laundry, assembling animal aquaria, diet preparation, and other activities that support the center as a whole.
Wildlife Rehabilitation Department (formerly known as Animal Care Program)
As an on-site Wildlife Rehabilitation Department Volunteer (WRD Volunteer), you will have the opportunity to help with all types of tasks relating to the rehabilitation of wildlife. These tasks include feeding and weighing animals, cleaning cages, washing dishes, etc.
Experienced volunteers may be trained to provide ICU care to different wildlife. These animals may have faced trauma, dehydration, acute illness, or broken bones, and require intensive care during their stay in the Wildlife Rehabilitation Program.
Wildlife Rehabilitation Department Volunteers need to be reliable in their commitment. We are a working wildlife hospital and expect wildlife rehabilitation volunteers to show up for their shift as scheduled. Your presence is crucial in making sure the patients get the proper care. If your schedule is unpredictable or if you have situations in your life at the present moment that may cause you to be frequently absent, please consider volunteering in a different capacity.
Additional ways in which you can volunteer:Â
Join our Wild Riders to help transport orphaned, injured, and ill wildlife who would otherwise be unable to reach our facility. Click HERE to sign up for the orientation.
If you are already a Wild Rider, consider becoming a Wild Wrangler. Wranglers help capture and contain wildlife before transporting them to our center. Click HERE to sign up for the orientation.Â
Join us on Educational Outreach Programs or become part of our Events Committee
Interested in Volunteering?
Below you will find the link to complete your volunteer registration. Only volunteers who have completed the orientation process will be given the passcode to complete their registration. Returning volunteers should complete registration for their fees by December 31st for the following year. Off-Site Rehabbers, please also use this link below to register. NOTE: If you are a new Off-site Rehabber, please get approval from the Hospital Manager before registering.
