Join our amazing team of volunteers!
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization.
Your service, whether you're seeking to work hands on with wildlife or to help in other ways, will enable you to make a profound and positive impact in the lives of wildlife in Rhode Island, and will help us to ensure that all of Rhode Island's injured and/or orphaned wildlife will always have a safe place to land.
As a volunteer with our organization, regardless of the position you're seeking to fill, you'll work alongside experienced wildlife rehabilitators and veterinarians, gaining hands-on experience while contributing to the well-being of our local wildlife. Whether you're passionate about animals, interested in conservation or education, or just looking for a meaningful way to give back, volunteering with us will be an incredible opportunity to learn, grow and make a difference.
For more information or questions, please contact us at info@riwildliferehab.org, or Olivia Harrington, our Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator, at oharrington@riwildliferehab.org.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Wildlife Rehabilitator at the Wildlife Clinic of RI
We accept volunteers at the Wildlife Clinic of RI, located in Saunderstown, on a rolling basis throughout the year. While there are a variety of non-animal care opportunities at the Wildlife Clinic, to work hands-on with wildlife, RIDEM does require that you hold a Wildlife Subpermittee or Level 1/Level 2 permit. We can assist you with the permitting process and you are able to begin volunteering before getting your permit. For more information on the licensing process in RI, click here.
To volunteer at the Wildlife Clinic you must be 18 years of age or older, have your Tetanus vaccination, read our Volunteer & Intern Training Manual (linked above), and complete and return your application (linked above).
Licensing Required
In-home Wildlife Rehabilitator
Our organization partners with individuals interested in becoming licensed to rehabilitate wildlife in their homes. There are two avenues to becoming licensed as a wildlife rehabilitator in Rhode Island (Subpermittee or Level 1/Level 2) and we are happy to assist you through the permitting process.
In-home, volunteer wildlife rehabilitators are integral to our success and our ability to meet the needs of every injured and orphaned animal that come to us for care. To this end, we endeavor to support our partnering in-home wildlife rehabilitators with veterinary, sponsorship and supply support. For more information on the licensing process in RI, click here.
Licensing Required
Transport Team
One of the most challenging aspects of our mission is the practical necessity of getting injured and orphaned animals into care. While we do rely on and request that finders bring animals to the Wildlife Clinic or one of our partnering in-home wildlife rehabilitators directly, sometimes this isn't always possible. In response to this challenge, we've built a transport network to assist in transporting animals into care, and are working to build that network to provide robust coverage across the entire state.
The requirements to join our transport team are just your willingness to help when you can and a short training to prepare you. We also utilize a GroupMe app chat to coordinate transport requests, but you are not required to join if you prefer to be contacted differently.
Youth Career Awareness Program
We are pleased to announce the launch of our new youth program at the Wildlife Clinic of RI for teenagers aged 13-17 who are committed to wildlife conservation. This comprehensive program is structured to accommodate various types of learners, providing a range of valuable opportunities from practical experiences to reading and writing projects.
This is a unique opportunity for young adults to significantly contribute to conservation efforts, gain pertinent career skills, and serve their community. By participating, adolescents will develop a profound understanding of wildlife and the importance of environmental stewardship, enabling them to act as advocates for wildlife!
For more information, click here.
Turkey Tender Program
In 2024 we were thrilled to welcome two new members to our Wildlife Clinic family, a charming pair of Wild Turkeys! These special birds will serve as educational ambassadors, acting as the cornerstones of the educational programs and curriculum we are developing.
Volunteers in our Turkey Tender program will have the unique opportunity to help in their daily care and enrichment, from helping to keep their enclosures clean to spending quality time socializing with them - even reading, walking and playing with them!
Handy Helpers
The Wildlife Clinic is always bustling with projects to maintain and improve our animal enclosures, buildings, and grounds. While our dedicate staff and volunteers handle most of the upkeep, we're always in need of skilled tradespeople, even just for consultation and advise!
Your expertise can make a real difference in providing a safe and well-maintained environment for the animals in our care. If you have experience in construction, landscaping, plumbing, electric, gardening...etc., and are willing to share your knowledge with a dedicated group of willing volunteers ready to work, we would welcome your support!
Board Membership and
Committee Support
Are you passionate about building a legacy and making a lasting impact in the lives of our native wildlife? We're looking for dedicated, environment and conservation minded, community driven people to join our board. As a board member, you'll use your unique skills to play a vital role in guiding our mission, shaping our vision and helping us grow. Whether you bring leadership experience, fundraising skills, or a passion for bettering the lives of injured and orphaned animals in Rhode Island, your voice and expertise can help us make a real difference.
If you're ready to use your skills and passion to make a lasting impact, we'd love to hear from you! For more information, please contact our Executive Director, William Morrissette, at wmorrissette@riwildliferehab.org today!
Administrative Support at the Wildlife Clinic of RI
Do you have a passion for helping wildlife but aren't sure about doing actual animal care? Then we have an opportunity for you!
We're looking for warm, welcoming volunteers to help with front desk and reception support at the Wildlife Clinic of RI. As the first point of contact for those seeking help with their wildlife issues, community members bringing in wildlife, donors, and supporters, you'll play a crucial role in creating a positive experience. From answering calls and greeting those brining in injured and orphaned wildlife to assisting with light administrative tasks, your help will keep our organization running smoothly! No formal training needed - we'll teach you everything you'll need to know.
If you're a people person looking to help wildlife, join us as an Administrative Volunteer - we'd love to have you on our team!
Marketing & Social Media Support
Do you have a love of social media and marketing? If so, join us today! We're always on the look out for creative, artistic and compassionate individuals to help us with social media and marketing.
If you have a knack for crafting engaging and compelling content, and spreading the word about our mission to support Rhode Island's most precious natural resource, this is the perfect opportunity for you! Your efforts will help amplify our mission, connect with new supporters and raise awareness for the work we do.
Join us in telling our story and driving our mission - together, we can inspire positive change for our native wildlife!
Event & Fundraising Support
If you're looking for a way to make a truly wild impact, help us fundraising and plan events!
We're looking for passionate, compassionate individuals to join our team and assist with fundraising and event planning. Your creativity and drive will help us organize events, engageg with donors, and raise essential funds to support the 6,000+ wild animals that come to us for care.
From planning exciting fundraisers to building relationships with our amazing supporters, your involvement will directly contribute to the success of our mission.
if you're ready to roll up your sleeves and work together to make some truly wild things happen we want to hear from you today!