Chesapeake Wildlife Sanctuary's Volunteer Program
Hundreds of volunteers work with CWS each year to help our organization provide the best care for wild animals and the best public education programs that we possibly can. We hope you will offer your time and talents to help CWS remain one of the country's leading wildlife rehabilitation centers.

Approximately 500 volunteers -- including volunteer staff and consulting veterinarians, student interns, trained wildlife rehabilitators, and concerned citizens -- offer support to the Sanctuary through donations of time and goods. We welcome your support.

CWS also offers classes in wildlife rehabilitation; varied volunteer opportunities for adults and youth groups; public information programs and a National Oiled Wildlife Response Team.
Print the application, fill it in and mail to the address on the bottom of the form to become a volunteer.
Benefits...... of being a CWS volunteer!
  1. Subscription to our monthly volunteer newsletter, "The Volunteer voice".
  2. Discounts in our sanctuary gift shop (after 2 months of service).
  3. Free admission for your family to sanctuary education programs.
  4. Educational seminars each month related to wildlife rehabilitation, and the workings of a wildlife sanctuary.
  5. Annual volunteer picnic/dinner.
  6. "Hands on" experience and knowledge in your area of interest.
  7. Interaction with people sharing similar interests.
  8. The opportunity to participate in helping Maryland's native wildlife.
  9. Access to our wildlife library and species file system.
  10. A deep sense of pride and satisfaction that comes from helping and giving to others.
Volunteer Opportunities
You may volunteer in one of our departments or on an as-needed basis for special events. We ask that animal care volunteers and certain other volunteers in the education and office departments volunteer on a regular basis (3-5 hours per week) in order to meet specific training needs. We do, however, have many other opportunities for volunteers who need a more flexible schedule. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Animal Care
These volunteers provide assistance to our animal care staff. Initial shift duties include cleaning cages, laundry and dishes. Direct animal care assignments are given after volunteers have demonstrated their continued commitment through attendance and performance records. All animal care volunteers begin in our avian clinic and may later be given the option to move on to our mammal clinic. Animal care volunteers must commit to a set schedule of 5 hours per week for 12 consecutive weeks in order to meet direct animal care training requirements. Volunteers who can not meet this schedule may still volunteer but only for supportive activities such a cleaning.
Maintainance
These volunteers assist the staff and work independently on outdoor and indoor maintenance projects. These might include painting, spreading gravel, cleaning and repairing outdoor cages, mowing the lawn, upkeep of our nature trail and taking out the garbage. Volunteers are needed on a regular basis and also on an as-needed basis at monthly workdays.
Office Assistant
These volunteers may help assemble newsletters, process bulk mailing and do data entry. Some of these projects can be done at home!
Education Assistant
Many varied opportunities exist to help in our growing education department:
Leading and Developing K-12 Education programs.
Conducting group tours of the Sanctuary.
Supervising scouts doing service projects.
Library assistant, help catalogue, maintain and oversee our small but growing library.
Working at an Information Booth for the Sanctuary at various conventions and other activities.
Develop and Lead Family Programs on evenings and weekends.
Update databases and mailing lists.
Transporters....... Wildlife patients and Donated Items
These special volunteers help by transporting sick, injured or orphaned wildlife to the Sanctuary. Some of the calls we get to help an animal come from elderly or the very young and WE need to make arrangements to get the animal to the Sanctuary.
We are always in need of transporters with pick up trucks or vans that can help us get and deliver large donated items........ such as washers and dryers.
Special Events
We hold several special events each year. These include an annual Walk for Wildlife, a bi-annual beach clean-up, special flea market/craft shows and an occasional seasonal party for children. If you would like to assist with any of these just check the appropriate box!
Specific Talents
Many of our volunteers have specific talents related to their professional work or hobbies. These include desktop publishing, accounting, securing donations, photography, painting, carpentry, web site design and many more. Please list your specifit talents on our application!
How to Become a Chesapeake Wildlife Sanctuary Volunteer!
Simply fill out the Volunteer Application and return it to the address listed at the bottom of the form! Please call our office or send us an e-mail if you have any questions.
301-390-7010
cheswild@erols.com
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volunteer Application