Requirements to become a volunteer:
- Be at least 16 years of age. You must be 18 years of age to volunteer at the Wildlife Center.
- Be able to meet the attendance and scheduling requirements for the chosen assignment and commit to a three-month (shelter) or six-month (wildlife) term if interested in direct animal care.
- Complete all required training prior to starting volunteer service.
- Have regular access to the Internet and an email account.
If you meet the requirements above, let’s get started:
- Review the available volunteer positions: Volunteer Positions
- Submit an online application – once your application is approved, you will receive an email with an invitation to view our online New Volunteer Orientation.
- View online orientation and complete quiz – online orientation is a video, approximately 30-minutes long, followed by a brief quiz which should be completed with a score of 80% or better to move on to the next step.
- Attend an Info Session – Info Sessions are small group virtual or in-person meetings that provide further detail about volunteering in a specific area of the organization.
- Complete paperwork – Review and sign paperwork that provides the policies and guidelines for the position you are applying for.
- Pay the $25 registration fee and complete the background check – the registration fee covers the cost of a volunteer t-shirt, a permanent name badge, and a background check.
- Select a volunteer position – upon passing the background check you will select a shift assignment based on the available shifts in the area you choose to volunteer.
- Complete training for your selected volunteer position –both online and hands-on training will be provided before you start your shift assignment.
Please note: Once we have received your volunteer application, please be aware that a background check will be carried out before your volunteering status is confirmed.
PAWS cannot accommodate those seeking to fulfill court-ordered community service.
If you are with a vocational or social services agency working with a client, please contact the CAS Programs Manager trogers@paws.org regarding volunteer opportunities.