Support Centre - Rescue Volunteer
Purpose
Wildlife Rescue Association is a registered non-profit established in 1979. We are the second largest wildlife rehabilitation facility in terms of intakes in Canada; we serve over 6000 wildlife patients each year! We rehabilitate injured wildlife, raise orphaned wildlife, and treat pollution-damaged wildlife with a goal of release back into the wild. We have a team of over 300 volunteers, whom along with staff, run our Wildlife Hospital 365 days a year. Rescue Volunteers help wildlife by performing field assessments of potentially injured/ill birds and perform capture and transport duties when necessary.
Responsibilities
- Respond to Support Centre requests to assess birds in the field for potential injuries/illness
- Safely contain injured, sick, or orphaned birds
- Transport birds needing care to WRA for treatment
- Minimise animal stress and suffering by minimising noise and other stressors during transport
- Ensure volunteer and animal safety in the field
- Refer public enquiries to our Wildlife Helpline
- Assist with completing intake forms as needed
- Maintain professionalism when representing Wildlife Rescue to the community
This role is perfect for someone who
The following qualifications are important for this role:
- Professional communication skills when representing Wildlife Rescue in the community
- Positive attitude
- Physically fit and able to lift upwards of 20lbs - Must be agile and able to move quickly to capture wild animals
- Reliable, organized and comes prepared to calls for rescue
- Strong adherence to safety protocols
- Valid BC Drivers License
- Consistent access to a safe, reliable vehicle with insurance in good standing (winter tires may be required for some transports)
- Willingness to travel to many areas of the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley (greater travel areas are an asset)
- Previous experience of handling wildlife is an asset.
We have a higher need for volunteers who:
- Are available on weekdays between 10am and 3pm
- Are willing to travel to between Burnaby and further areas in B.C including: Richmond, Delta, Surrey, and the Fraser Valley
- Already have an up to date rabies vaccination and are willing to transport bats
- (We DO NOT expect volunteers to obtain an expensive rabies vaccination in order to volunteer. Only a few volunteers will be selected and trained for Bat Transport & Rescue. Speak to a staff representative if you are interested in this role. People who are not trained by a qualified specialist should not approach, handle or touch a bat as they are a high-risk species for transmission of zoonotic disease)
Time Commitment
- Minimum of one shift per week and 100-hours total
- Requests may be less frequent in the fall and winter
- Two transports per month must be completed to remain active on the Transport Team
- This is an on-call position, therefore flexible schedules can be accommodated
- Volunteers choose their areas willing to travel and day(s) of availability
Additional Information:
- Volunteers will be required to show proof of an up-to-date Tetanus vaccination within the last 10 years
- Wildlife Rescue issues tax receipts for mileage donations annually, since we cannot reimburse for fuel costs
*Please note that before becoming involved in Rescue activities, you will be required to complete 12 Transport duties (approx. 3 months with one duty per week) and complete an interview.
How to apply:
Complete an application on MyImpactPage and you will be invited to the next scheduled Meet & Greet. Frequency of sessions will vary throughout the year.