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.
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.