Yggdrasil Urban Wildlife Rescue

Hands-on Care for Rescued Wildlife in SF's Potrero Hill

Onsite Wildlife Care Team -
Volunteers on the Onsite Care Team support the daily operations of YUWR’s wildlife center in San Francisco, helping ensure newly rescued animals receive consistent, attentive care. The work is hands-on and focused on maintaining clean, safe enclosures and supporting daily husbandry routines.

Responsibilities include cleaning and disinfecting enclosures, preparing and distributing species-appropriate diets, washing dishes and supplies, refreshing water, and assisting with general facility upkeep. Volunteers work closely with team leads and must follow instructions carefully and communicate clearly.

The role is physical and requires bending, standing for extended periods, and lifting at least 25 pounds. Volunteers are regularly exposed to animal food, odors, fur, insects and waste. A minimum commitment of two four-hour shifts per month is required, along with reliable transportation to the San Francisco location.

Hands-on feeding and care for orphaned wildlife in your home

Infant Wildlife Care Teams -
Care for small groups of orphaned baby squirrels, raccoons, or opossums in your home with the goal of preparing them for release back into the wild. These animals are too young to live outside and require attentive care throughout the day, and sometimes at night.

Each species has specific handling and care requirements. In general, Infant Wildlife Care volunteers must follow all training and care protocols, feed babies every three hours during daytime hours when they are very young and adjust to fewer feedings as they grow. During their first six weeks, infants may travel with you in a secure nest box for scheduled feedings.

Volunteers should be available to care for infants for three weeks to three months, depending on species. A safe, quiet room is required to house their indoor enclosure, free from pets and high traffic areas. Direct contact between household pets and wildlife is not permitted.

The role requires emotional resilience, as not all animals survive, along with reliable transportation for transfers or medical visits. Volunteers must be able to safely handle and secure animals as needed. Some supplies are provided, though limited out-of-pocket expenses should be expected.

Provide outdoor enclosures for wildlife nearing release

ReWild Teams -
ReWild volunteers care for squirrels, opossums, or raccoons in a secure outdoor enclosure on their property. These animals are nearing release and need time outside to acclimate to weather, sounds, and natural rhythms before returning to the wild. Depending on species and season, placement can last from one month to three months.

Daily responsibilities include feeding once or twice per day, monitoring behavior, and cleaning the enclosure as needed. Volunteers may also help identify appropriate release locations and assist with hard releases when animals cannot be soft released from the enclosure site.

Each species has specific ReWilding requirements. In general, ReWild volunteers must have space for an enclosure that is at least 4 by 8 feet, build an approved enclosure or borrow one from Yggdrasil Urban Wildlife Rescue, provide daily feeding and cleaning, and be located in the San Francisco Bay Area. Volunteers should expect to cover some out-of-pocket costs related to food, enclosure materials, and daily care.

Provide medical care for wildlife in rehabilitation

Veterinary / Medical Care -
Support the medical needs of injured and orphaned wildlife by assisting with treatment, observation, and recovery planning under the guidance of licensed professionals. Volunteers in this area help ensure animals receive timely, appropriate care so they can heal and return to the wild when possible.

Responsibilities may include preparing medications, assisting with basic treatments, monitoring recovery progress, maintaining medical records, and supporting transport to and from veterinary appointments. This role requires close attention to detail, comfort handling animals when appropriate, and the ability to follow medical instructions precisely. Availability and prior experience may be required depending on responsibilities.

Transport animals and supplies to support rescue operations

Transport Team -
Transport volunteers respond to calls and texts from members of the public seeking help for injured, sick, or orphaned wildlife and coordinate in field rescues when needed. They safely move animals between locations, such as from animal care facilities to our San Francisco wildlife center or from the center to foster homes.

Many animals first arrive at Oakland Animal Services or Berkeley Animal Care Services and must be transported to us for triage, medical care, and foster placement. City agencies are often stretched thin and unable to provide this transport, making this role essential to timely care. The team also supports weekly produce pickups, collection of fresh branches for enrichment, and delivery of enclosures to foster homes.

Team members must be active on Slack to receive transport requests, hold a current California driver’s license, maintain valid car insurance, and have access to a reliable vehicle. Volunteers are responsible for fuel, tolls, and related expenses. Most trips take place between the East Bay and San Francisco.

Help with urgent or time-sensitive wildlife situations

Emergency Response Team -
Emergency Response volunteers serve as first contacts when urgent wildlife situations arise. They assess reports from the public, provide immediate guidance when appropriate, and help determine whether a rescue, transport, or referral is needed.

Team members may respond to time sensitive situations involving injured, entangled, or displaced animals and coordinate closely with transport, medical, or onsite care teams. The role requires calm decision making, clear communication, and the ability to follow established protocols under pressure. Availability during assigned on call windows and comfort handling unpredictable situations are essential.

Share wildlife education through community events

Assist with events, grant writing, and other fundraising efforts

Fundraising and Development Team -
Fundraising and Development volunteers help secure the financial support that sustains YUWR’s rescue, rehabilitation, and education programs. They assist with building relationships, identifying funding opportunities, and supporting campaigns that keep daily operations running.

Responsibilities may include researching grants, drafting proposals or donor communications, assisting with fundraising events, tracking donations, and supporting outreach to individual and institutional donors. Volunteers in this role should be organized, detail-oriented, comfortable working with sensitive information, and able to communicate clearly and professionally on behalf of the organization.

Build and maintain enclosures onsite and in the field

Build Team -
Build Team volunteers design, construct, and maintain the enclosures and physical infrastructure that support wildlife rehabilitation and release. Their work ensures animals have safe, species appropriate housing both onsite and in the field.

Responsibilities may include building and repairing cages, assembling nest boxes, reinforcing outdoor enclosures, transporting materials, and assisting with facility improvements. Volunteers in this role should be comfortable using basic tools, following build plans carefully, lifting and moving materials, and working safely in outdoor environments.

Behind the scenes support with coordination and organization

Administrative Support Team -
Administrative Support volunteers help keep daily operations organized and moving smoothly behind the scenes. They support communication, record keeping, and coordination that allows animal care and field teams to stay focused on rescue and rehabilitation.

Responsibilities may include data entry, tracking applications or volunteer records, responding to general inquiries, organizing digital files, assisting with scheduling, and preparing documents or reports. Volunteers in this role should be detail-oriented, reliable, comfortable working with shared systems, and able to handle sensitive information with discretion.

Advocate for humane wildlife coexistence in our community

Wildlife Advocacy Team -
Wildlife Advocacy volunteers support efforts that promote humane policies and community awareness around urban wildlife issues. Their work helps advance coexistence practices and informed decision making at the local level.

Responsibilities may include monitoring policy developments, assisting with research, drafting letters or public comments, supporting community outreach efforts, and helping track advocacy initiatives. Volunteers in this role should be thoughtful, well informed, comfortable communicating about wildlife issues, and able to represent the organization clearly and respectfully in public forums.

Maintain onsite spaces essential for wildlife care

Facilities Team -
Facilities volunteers help maintain the wildlife center, so it remains clean, safe, and functional for animals, volunteers, and staff. Their work supports daily operations by ensuring the physical space is organized and well cared for while working in an active wildlife environment.

Responsibilities may include deep cleaning common areas, organizing storage, managing supplies, assisting with waste removal, supporting minor repairs, and helping with general upkeep of the property. Volunteers in this role should be comfortable with physical tasks, follow safety guidelines carefully, and work safely around wildlife.

Manage and grow our social media to share our mission

Social Media Management Team -
Social Media volunteers help share the story of YUWR’s rescue, rehabilitation, and release work with the broader community. They create and schedule content that highlights animal care, volunteer efforts, educational messages, and fundraising needs.

Responsibilities include creating original content, drafting posts, editing photos or short videos, responding to comments or messages, tracking engagement, and maintaining a consistent voice across platforms. Volunteers in this role should be organized, responsive, comfortable working with visual media and basic editing tools, and have a strong visual sense with an understanding of current social media style and tone, creating content that feels polished, contemporary, and engaging.