South Plains Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Inc.

South Plains Wildlife Rehabilitation Center's Junior Volunteer Program

Photo: New and "old" JVs and a few moms and dads come for orientation, sign-ups and a pizza party on Saturday, May 18th, 2013.

     Welcome to the 10th Anniversary of the Junior Volunteer Program!   

      Our pilot program started during the summer of 2013 and has grown each year.

The Junior Volunteer program provides practical experience, increased awareness of community needs and helps encourage the spirit of volunteerism in a non-profit agency. This program also provides an opportunity for young people to learn about wildlife and help with our overall mission of raising, caring for, treating and releasing as many of our wildlife orphans and casualties as possible. 

     We want the “JV” to be a part of our volunteer staff, and not simply sign up because “the parent thinks it would be a good way for the child to spend his/her summer.”    

      We ask both the JV and a parent to sign a waiver, have it notarized, and bring it by the first day you volunteer. Time slots will be Monday through Friday from 9 -12. The program will start Monday June 3rd, 2003.

     We will not allow JV’s (except drivers of 16 years old) to wait out front for their parents - a parent must  park and come to the work building to pick up their child.

     Due  to the nature of our work, it’s important to recognize that hazards exist, and our patients may bite, scratch, poke, kick or otherwise injure you.  It is for that reason JV’s will have limited contact with the wildlife.

Sample duties are listed  below, but others may be added. We hope this program will inspire young people, as they work side by side with experienced volunteers.

Volunteer duties will include, but are not limited to:

    Washing, cutting up produce and other foods and delivering it throughout the grounds

    Cage and pet taxi cleaning (not rabies vector or raptor species)

    Changing, cleaning and refilling water bowls

    Cleaning waterfowl area including pond, and pelican’s pool

    Washing, drying and putting away dishes

    Straightening shelves in laundry and kitchen areas

    Sweeping, mopping

    Taking trash to the dumpster

    Picking up litter

    Watering trees and plants, raking leaves

    Cleaning out and cleaning the refrigerator and getting rid of spoiled produce

    Taking care of mealworm colony

    Dusting

    Keeping cabinets clean and straight

Tenured, mature, self- motivated JV’s will have special privileges to help feed

baby birds and squirrels.