Mission: Rescue, Rehabilitate and Release.
Critter Care Wildlife Society is a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre that specializes in the treatment, care and release of sick, injured and orphaned Native Mammal species of British Columbia. We are the only facility specializing in the care of mammals and one of the only three bear rehabilitation facilities in the province. CCWS intakes around 3000 animals each year and with your help they are given the care they need to return to their native habitat. We also use our knowledge and resources to educate the public on how to best co-exist with wildlife to avoid human-wildlife conflicts and how to respond when coming across injured or possibly orphaned wildlife.
We offer an unpaid internship program for people aged 18-35 (exceptions can be
made) with a passion for wildlife and the drive to make a difference. You will
be a part of raising and caring for orphaned, injured and sick wildlife.
Species in our care vary from squirrels, skunks and raccoons to opossums,
otters, black bears and many more. You will be involved in all aspects of the rehabilitation process from rescue to admission and examinations to releases. You will be working with like minded individuals from around the world who share the same passion for wildlife. Intern capacity is around 30 at one time.
Board and room are provided.
Our centre is located in South Langley, B.C. We are surrounded by farmland and right next door to a Regional park so there are plenty of walking trails nearby. We are about 20 minutes from central Langley where you will find most of our grocery stores, shopping malls and food establishments. Public transport is limited in this area so we recommend getting Ubers or sharing lifts to go off site. We are also only around a 10 minute drive from the U.S. border.
Tasks include but are not limited to:
- Feeding neonate,
adult, and juvenile animals.
- Cleaning animal
closures, doing laundry, and cleaning the triage centre.
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Administrating
medications, first aid, and wound care.
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Participating in
building projects and maintenance.
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Assisting with
rescues and releases of wildlife.
- Properly
restraining and capturing wildlife.
Depending on the time of year you come will experience different thing. Baby season is our most popular and busiest season. This is when we see most of our intakes and you will be involved in hand raising orphaned wildlife and releasing them back into the wild once ready. Winter is typically quieter with just a few late babies and any babies that were not able to be released in the fall who need to stay over winter until releases begin in spring. Winter is also when we more injured/ sick adult and juvenile animal admissions. We only accept 4-week of volunteering from October
until February. Otherwise, it is a 8-week minimum for the rest of the year
What to bring:
Consider checking the general type of weather expected during your period of stay but also be aware that our weather can change rapidly so be prepared for all possibilities. We recommend bringing clothes that you do not mind getting dirty or in some cases ruined, along with lots of pairs of socks! During working hours no tank tops or shorts are to be worn as well as no open-toed shoes. We recommend a sturdy pair of work trainers or boots to be worn during working hours and you are able to wear flip flops/ slippers etc after hours in the mornings and evenings. You will also be expected to bring: a good raincoat, toiletries, a headlamp/ flashlight and a Canadian power adapter if needed. CCWS supplies you with wellies/ rubber boots for inside animal enclosures, lab coats/ scrubs, examination gloves and basic medicines i.e. cold and flu, allergy and headache medications. We also provide you with bedding and towels so you do not need to bring these with you.
What's expected
Interns are expected to work 5 days a week with 2 non-consecutive days off. You will be responsible for your own animals as well as general tasks around the centre. Interns are expected to be hard-working, have a passion for animals and a willingness to learn and take on new responsibilities each day. You are expected to work well within a team setting as well as individually. Interns can expect full support from staff throughout their internship as well proper training in all aspects of the job.
Please note wildlife rehabilitation is not a 9-5. Milk
feeds can start as early as 6 am and end as late as midnight. You are expected
to work 5 days a week with two non-consecutive days off a week. You will gain hands-on experience with caring for and handling wildlife, administrating medications, and bottle and syringe feeding orphaned animals as well as much more. You will also make lifelong friends from around the world. At the end of your experience, you will also receive a written reference to help with future volunteering and job opportunities.
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