VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteers are the life-blood of Eastern Sierra Wildlife Care. They
help with animal care, administrative work, publicity, fundraising,
transport, building and maintenance. Some volunteers work at the Center;
others care for patients at home or work.
ESWC receives animals from a large geographical area (a 100-mile-wide
corridor about 200 miles in length that runs along Highway 395 in
the Eastern Sierra). Because of these distances, ESWC has adopted
a structure used by many rehabilitation facilities. Supporting the central facility is a foster-care system in which trained volunteers care for many of the animals in their homes. Some volunteers have
pens or aviaries on their own premises, while others care mostly for baby
animals who need no more than an incubator or small cage.
Volunteers Needed: The organization depends upon its volunteers to provide care for injured, sick and orphaned native wildlife. Currently, there is a group of about 40 volunteers with varying amounts of experience. (About 18 volunteers do animal care, while others help with transport, education, fundraising, rescue and return, and maintenance.) More volunteers are needed as patient numbers continue to rise.
Internships: In 2003, for the busy “baby
season,” ESWC initiated an internship program which, coupled
with our volunteer hours, made sure the patients received necessary
care. This program also allows those interested in other fields such
as veterinary medicine or wildlife biology, to gain experience with
wild animals. Funds are currently being solicited for our 2007 internship program.
If you are interested in becoming an ESWC intern, contact Cindy Kamler
at 872-1487 or email
Training:
Since 2000, ESWC has offered annual orientation and training for new people interested in wildlife rehabilitation. From this class come most of the new volunteers who will help with both direct and supportive care. Active, senior volunteers receive advanced, continuing education training in wildlife rehabilitation techniques such as fracture and wound management, initial care and treatment, zoonoses, physical therapy, and more. (Animal care volunteers are required by CDFG to have four hours of continuing education yearly.) At least two advanced classes per year have been offered since 2001, and are taught by the director.
ANNUAL TRAINING CLASS
Volunteer Orientation and Training
Would you like to help give injured, orphaned or ill wild
animals in Inyo and Mono counties a second
chance in life? Even if you have only a few hours a
month to spare, you can make a difference for local
wildlife by becoming part of Eastern Sierra Wildlife
Care.
Time and place to be announced or call for details. Watch your local paper for more information or call Linda at 872-3926.
Contact Cindy Kamler at 872-1487 or
email
