Project Wildlife - San Diego Campus
The goal of Project Wildlife’s rehabilitation efforts is to restore our sick and injured wild patients to full health so that they may be released safely back into their natural habitats. With over 12,000 animals cared for annually at our Bahde Wldlife Center, volunteers play a crucial role in these efforts year-round, seven days a week! We are grateful for the enthusiasm, dedication and love they share with us every day. Project Wildlife is very much at the whim of Mother Nature. During the wildlife baby season, typically April through September, we are caring for our highest volume of wildlife patients at the Bahde Wildlife Center, some days up to 400 patients at a time.
New volunteers are typically recruited seasonally, on an as needed basis. During open recruitment periods, application links are available at the bottom of this page!
New volunteers join our team and initially assist with non-animal handling activities, while learning the foundation of animal care and San Diego Humane Society policies. Each volunteer will contribute 200 hours a year or more, accumulated on a weekly basis, interacting with staff, other volunteers and members of the public. Volunteers must commit to one shift per week. Shifts lengths vary seasonally between 3-4 hours, with shifts offered daily.
Activities include:
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Assist with essential tasks including sanitizing animal enclosures and cleaning routines including dishes, laundry and stocking supplies - Animals cared for at this location are primarily a variety of small to medium-sized bird species.
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Complete daily wildlife diet preparation duties and ensure all areas are clean and organized.
- Be prepared to get dirty, follow staff instruction for safe and effective animal care and have fun!
Volunteer Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years of age. Under 18 but want to get involved? Check out our DIY page or Youth Services page!
- Must complete entire recruitment process and training series prior to independent volunteer service.
- Must be able to stand for extended periods of time (up to three hours) and complete a variety of physically demanding tasks in a fast-paced environment.
- Must make a minimum commitment of one full wildllife season (about 1 year). Due to the amount of time and resources that we invest in our volunteers, we are unable to offer one-time or short-term community service projects with the Project Wildlife team.
Application Process
Recruitment for new volunteers is currently closed and will reopen in the summer of 2023.
Complete volunteer selection, placement and training is typically completed in 3-6 weeks after attending the Online Orientation.
- Online application - Available on this webpage during recruitment periods. We recruit new volunteers throughout the year, on an as needed basis.
- Online Learning - Complete your online eLearnings from home and then schedule your interview.
- Onsite Interview - Our onsite small group session includes a behind the scenes walking tour of the multi-building campus and an opportunity to practice the volunteer duties to determine if our activities are the right fit for you.
- Online and in person training - new volunteers complete online and in person training, a self guided series based on the interest of each individual volunteer.
