Wildlife Hospital Volunteers

Getting Started

WildCare is not currently accepting applications for new adult volunteers (age 18+) to work with our animal patients hands-on in the Wildlife Hospital. Under 18? Learn more about our Youth Volunteer Program for high school students!

If you are interested in applying for our 2025 adult Wildlife Hospital Volunteer recruitment, please carefully read this page and subscribe to our email list on our homepage here to receive updates on upcoming orientations.

Important note: All Wildlife Hospital volunteer positions will take place at our transition site at 251 North San Pedro Rd in San Rafael for 2025. This is an exciting opportunity to get your foot in the door as a volunteer at our brand new facility, which will open in late 2025!

Anyone wanting to become a Wildlife Hospital volunteer must be able to meet the following requirements (no exceptions):

  • Attend a mandatory Zoom orientation (upcoming orientations to be announced)
  • Complete all online and in-person trainings
  • Commit to a 4-hour weekly shift
  • Commit to a minimum of 9 months on the weekly shift (though we hope you’ll continue for many years to come!)

Note that WildCare has a limited number of volunteer positions available, so not all applicants will be accepted.

The Volunteer Zoom orientations will be facilitated by Alison Hermance, WildCare’s Director of Communications. During the orientation, you will learn more about WildCare and the Wildlife Hospital, the position, shifts, requirements, and commitments for volunteers. You will also have a chance to ask any questions you may have.

Other volunteer opportunities at WildCare:

Youth Volunteer Opportunities (for high school students under 18)

Wildlife Ambassador Volunteers (volunteer to care for WildCare's resident educational animals)

After-Hours Emergency Line Volunteers (remote volunteer opportunity answering WildCare's Wildlife Emergency Hotline)

Wildlife Patient Intake Volunteers (accepting Wildlife Hospital patients from rescuers at WildCare's front gate)

Internships: Wildlife Hospital Internships and Volunteer and Events Internships

Volunteering in WildCare's Wildlife Hospital

Our Wildlife Hospital cares for over 3,500 wild animals a year, from as many as 200 different species. We provide ongoing care for our patients seven days a week, fifty-two weeks a year with a dedicated team of staff and more than 250 volunteers.

Our goal? To restore our wild patients to full health so that they may be released safely back to their natural habitats.

Volunteers learn species identification, hygiene and safety precautions and protocols, proper diet and food preparation, physical therapy regimens, and proper handling techniques. Hospital staff and volunteers work to provide comprehensive diagnoses and treatments for our patients utilizing x-rays, blood work and more. Everyone works together to accommodate the feeding, cleaning and medication requirements of each patient.

"I volunteer because I want to make a difference. WildCare makes it possible to both help animals and educate the public about wildlife, and I love that."

- Shelly Ross, Wildlife Hospital and Raccoon Foster Care Volunteer

Volunteer Requirements and Additional Information