Dominique Pina will be a 10th grader in fall and is one of our new summer 2013 Junior Volunteers. Our JV program is now in it's 10th year!
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.