VOLUNTEER

 

Volunteers are the backbone of SBWCN. As a volunteer, you will be aiding the team to achieve its mission in both rehabilitating wildlife in the community while educating others on the importance of wildlife species.

Interested in volunteering? Fill out the online application below.

 
 

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Animal Care Team

Team work makes the dream work! As a volunteer on the Animal Care Team, you will be assisting other volunteers and animal care staff in performing a variety of critical tasks for the animals at our facility – including preparing diets, assisting with animal handling, doing dishes/laundry, and more.

The animals in our care are dependent upon us to provide a clean and healthy rehab environment.

As an animal care volunteer, you must commit to at least one 4 hour shift per week.

NOTE: Volunteers 18 years or older are welcome to apply. For any one-time group volunteer opportunities that involve high schoolers age 15-18, please have the group leader contact our volunteer director directly at volunteer@sbwcn.org for more information.

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HELPline Response Team

Volunteers on our helpline response team work together to answer our helpline number 7 days a week. Members of the public call our organization for information on wildlife and assistance with wildlife in distress. The main job of our helpline volunteers is to assist by fielding these calls and finding transport/rescue volunteers to respond. HELPline volunteers also work closely with animal care staff to give advice about how to live in harmony with wildlife.

HELPline Volunteers must commit to at least one 4 hour shift per week.

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Transport/Rescue Team

Transport/rescue volunteers with SBWCN assist us by volunteering their time and efforts to pick up and transport wildlife in need of treatment to and from our facility. We serve all of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties and sometimes an animal depends upon our transport and rescue volunteers to get a lifesaving ride to our facility for care.

NOTE: Transporters/rescuers are required to have a current California driver’s license, auto insurance, and a car.

More Ways to Help

If you have experience with:

  • Grant writing

  • Event planning

  • Sponsorship acquisition

  • Letter writing

  • Other skills you think we may find useful

We encourage you to fill out an app and send an email with your skills and area of interest to volunteer@sbwcn.org.

 
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Volunteer Application

Please complete the form below if you are interested in becoming a volunteer with Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network.

If you have any questions, please email volunteer@sbwcn.org.

 

VOLUNTEER FAQ

  • Volunteers perform an array of tasks at SBWCN, from hand-feeding baby birds and doing laundry, to answering the Helpline and transporting animals.

    Tasks can include:

    • washing dishes/laundry

    • preparing animal diets

    • organizing spaces and restocking supplies

    • answering the phone

    • greeting members of the public

    • rescuing animals

    • transporting animals

    • assisting in enclosure maintenance and cleaning

    • hand feeding birds and mammals

    • assisting in planning events

    • participating in community outreach

    • hand knitting nests for baby birds

    Have something else to share with SBWCN for wildlife? let us know!

  • All volunteers must be at least 18 years or older to volunteer.

  • We are happy to answer your questions to see if volunteering is a good fit for you. Please email the Volunteer Director at volunteer@sbwcn.org.

    Please ALWAYS let us know if you have a change of schedule, are going on vacation, or can’t make your shift.

  • The Volunteer Director will review your application then set up an orientation. You will need to read and sign the required paperwork before you may begin volunteering. In the meantime, please watch the training videos so you are prepared to do the tasks that always need doing at the center.

  • We do not require volunteers to be rabies vaccinated. If you are, you may be able to help out with the rabies vector species, like skunks and raccoons.

  • Email your volunteer-related questions to volunteer@sbwcn.org.