Volunteering at Red Creek Wildlife Center
Volunteering at Red Creek Wildlife Center is the most fulfilling experience I’ve had in my life. Knowing that you can make a difference in so many animals’ lives is incredibly rewarding. The atmosphere at Red Creek is always friendly and it is impossible to go home in anything but a good mood. Peggy and Morrie, the directors, go out of their way to make the volunteers feel appreciated. Cameron, an African Gray Parrot, always puts a smile on everyone’s face with his antics.
The primary job of volunteers is cleaning cages, feeding the animals and making sure they are all doing well. Volunteers also help with interesting tasks like changing the birds’ jesses for programs, or taking the beaver out for a swim. Spending time at the center is a wonderful way of gaining hands-on experience in handling and identifying wildlife. Volunteering also affords the opportunity to get a closer look at rare species of Pennsylvania wildlife such as a Peregrine Falcon and Black Crowned Night Heron.
Volunteers not only gain experience in animal husbandry but also learn how to educate the public in the importance of preserving wildlife and what to do if they ever find an injured animal. Helping out at programs is a great way of spreading public awareness and it helps teenagers like me get used to being up on stage in front of groups of people.
But the best thing of all is getting to see your hard work pay off. Whether it’s watching a bird that came in with a broken wing take flight or a litter of opossums scampering off into the forest, being there for the release is the single most satisfying moment of a volunteer’s experience. Volunteering gives many people a sense of purpose and direction in being able to make a difference in the world and I couldn’t think of any better way to spend my time.
May 18th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
I am a volunteer there and I think it is great. I have been there for two years now and I didn’t think I ever get to do something this amazing.