Volunteer

FOR ALL EMAIL ENQUIRIES ABOUT VOLUNTEERING, CONTACT US AT:

Volunteering@rangerslodgewildlifehospital.org

First and foremost we are a hospital, we are not a sanctuary or a zoo.

The wild animals in our care are sick/injured/orphaned and they are our patients. You will be responsible for their care, giving them the correct food and medication and ensuring their cages/enclosures are cleaned to a high standard.

Volunteers need to be able to work quickly and efficiently to reduce the stress on our patients. The hospitals aim is to return all patients back to the wild, still as wary of humans as when they arrived, therefore we do not talk to our patients as this is very stressful for them and we keep handling to an absolute minimum.

An up-to-date tetanus vaccination is required.

NB: Please be aware that the hospital is in a remote location and there is no local public transport.
Please note we are unable to take corporate volunteers that wish to do charity work for 1 day.

Volunteering as a Wildlife Carer

You must be at least 16 years old to volunteer at Rangers Lodge Wildlife Hospital, you must also have an interest in animal welfare, be able to articulate yourself clearly, be responsible, observant, methodical, follow instruction to the letter and have the ability to work in a team as well as work independently.

There are official records that are required to be filled out legibly and correctly therefore a good standard of literacy with good communication skills is required.

Attention to detail is very important, our patients will be relying on you to report any inconsistencies/abnormalities.

Consistent hygiene standards must be maintained at all times to avoid transmission of infection between patients and equipment.

You are required to wear dark coloured clothing (for the benefit of the patients), sturdy shoes and bring wellington boots with you as tasks can be messy and in winter, very muddy, waterproof gear is advised for inclement weather, conversely, sunscreen and a sun hat in summer. You will be working outside regardless of the weather.

No jewellery or perfume/aftershave should be worn and long hair should be tied back.

There are pet dogs and a pony on the premises. Please ensure you have no allergies to any animals.

Work Experience Students

Please note: we require students to make all initial communications and arrangements via email themselves and not by proxy ie: a family member.

We do take college/university students who have hours to complete but are unable to take school students looking for only 5 days work experience or Duke of Edinburgh placements.

We require everyone who volunteers with us to do the same day or evening shift every week for an absolute minimum of 6 months. Holidays will be honoured.

Training will be provided. Upon successful completion of the training day, you will enter a probation period of 2 shifts. This period will allow us to further evaluate your skills, dedication, and compatibility within our organisation.

Roles & Responsibilities for Animal Carer

Day Shift (10am – Finish)

You must be able to stay for a full day if required.

We work as a team and we need all the volunteers to be here until every patient has been cleaned out and fed. It can be a very intense in the spring and summer.

Please bring a packed lunch, hot and cold drinks are available.

Responsibilities include:

• Cleaning cages and enclosures – indoor and outdoor
• Handling a wide variety of patients (including birds)
• Feeding and watering all the patients, preparing feeds (this will include cutting up dead chicks)
• Dispensing medication and signing to show that correct drugs have been given
• Keeping the hospital clean and tidy, washing up, wiping down, sweeping and mopping floors and assisting in other tasks outside
• Carrying of wet/dry laundry and bedding
• Mucking out and using a wheelbarrow
• Restocking items around the hospital

Evening Shifts (6pm – Finish)

Responsibilities include:

• Feeding all the patients (this will include cutting up dead chicks)
• Cleaning cages if necessary
• Dispensing medication and signing to show that correct drugs have been given
• General cleaning and helping with other tasks around the hospital (for example holding patients while medical care is given)
• Carrying of wet/dry laundry and bedding
• Restocking items around the hospital

Available Vacancies for Animal Carer

Please do not consider applying unless you are able to commit to the above.

It is important that we know you are reliable and that we have enough cover to be able to give full and proper care to our patients.

Contact: Volunteering@rangerslodgewildlifehospital.org

Supporting Volunteer Roles

Fundraising

We are looking for someone to join our fundraising team. This will involve going to events such as school fairs to run our stall, talking to the public about what we do to raise awareness etc. You will need to liaise with our fundraising coordinator. You must be confident, friendly and approachable, and fairly flexible with your time as we often have events to attend on weekends.

You will need your own transport to come into the hospital as we are in a very remote location, there is no public transport to us.

A reference will be needed for this position.