Red Creek Wildlife Center

Wildlife rehabilitation work is multifaceted and demanding. Many permit holders burn out and their centers close after just a few years. Red Creek has been serving Southeastern Pennsylvania continuously since 1991 and we attribute much of that success to our volunteers. 

Red Creek treats all species of Pennsylvania wildlife and admits over 1000 wild patients each year.   One person can not do the work alone but together we can make a huge difference.  Whether you are comfortable working with the animals or not, YOU have special talents we can use. If you love what we are doing and want to be a part, please check out what we have to offer:

Animal Care Assistant - Year Round

Overview

The Animal Care Assistant is a  year-round volunteer position within Red Creek. You will get to know the staff, volunteers and animals on a personal level, be exposed to and have the opportunity to assist with all aspects of wildlife rehabilitation including: first aid, treatment, admissions,  medications, and releases. Animal Care Assistants are automatically approved for the Nursery Care Positions if desired.

General Tasks

Assist the clinic staff by cleaning cages, weighing animals, preparing diets and feeding the "self-feeding" animals.  The Animal Care Assistant  also helps with cleaning and maintaining the facilities, laundry and dishes.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years of age 

The demands of treating 1000 animals each year (most of them between May and September) require the highest level of commitment from our volunteers. While we certainly work around our volunteer’s other commitments, absolute reliability insofar as manning your shift is required! ACA shifts are a minimum of four hours long, between 9am and 3pm. ACAs are asked to commit to one full year, are required to volunteer weekly and to work the same shift each week. The clinic is open seven days a week, year-round.

Animal care involves the ability to bend and kneel easily, carry buckets of water and food to outdoor enclosures (about 20 pounds), stand for 4 hours, walk unaided and walk on uneven outdoor terrain.

If you have any questions or concerns about these requirments, or the application process, please feel free to contact us.

Application

An application can be filled out on-line or downloaded to print. Applicants must also read and sign our volunteer agreement, liability release form and provide a criminal background check.

Although our application requirements may seem strict, working with wildlife is both a great responsibility and a great privilege.  Wildlife rehabilitation is strictly regulated by state and federal laws and Red Creek Wildlife Center does not take that responsibility lightly.

Nursery Care Assistant / Internship - April through September

Overview

The Nursery Care Assistant is a  highly coveted seasonal volunteer position within Red Creek.  Feeding baby wild animals (both mammals and birds) is a round-the-clock task that takes a special commitment and offers  great personal rewards. Nursery Care Assistants will also be asked to perform tasks associated with the Animal Care Assistant position and help other volunteers with general tasks.

General Tasks

Learn proper feeding techniques for many baby wild mammals and birds and maintain a strict feeding schedule for those animals. 

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years of age 

The demands of treating 1000 animals each year (most of them between May and September) require the highest level of commitment from our volunteers. While we certainly work around our volunteer’s other commitments, absolute reliability insofar as manning your shift is required! NCA shifts are a minimum of four hours long, in the morning, afternoon or evening. NCAs are asked to commit to 3 full months, are required to volunteer weekly and to work the same shift each week.

NCA involves working with ALL types of  songbirds and common mammals. Juvenile raptor care and the care of (RVS) Rabies Vector Species (raccoons, foxes, skunks, coyotes, woodchucks and bats) are NOT part of the general NCA program. Individuals interested in working with RVS must attend  a state approved RVS training class (when available) and have proof of rabies vaccines or protective titer within the past 2 years.

If you have any questions or concerns about these requirments, or the application process, please feel free to contact us.

Application

An application can be filled out on-line or downloaded to print. Applicants must also read and sign our volunteer agreement, liability release form and provide a criminal background check.

Although our application requirements may seem strict, working with wildlife is both a great responsibility and a great privilege.  Wildlife rehabilitation is strictly regulated by state and federal laws and Red Creek Wildlife Center does not take that responsibility lightly.

Wildlife Information Operator (WIO) - April through September

Overview

RCWC receives thousands of phone calls each year about wildlife in distress. The advice a caller receives can determine the future of an animal. Our WIO volunteer is often the most important first contact on behalf of that animal

General Tasks

The WIO line receives calls from the general public, veterinary offices, animal shelters, police departments and others. The nature of the calls includes: distressed wildlife in need of care, nuisance wildlife, orphaned wildlife, and general wildlife questions. Full training is provided,

Requirements

Good telephone communication skills.

Extreme patience in working with the public.

The demands of treating 1000 animals each year (most of them between May and September) require the highest level of commitment from our volunteers. While we certainly work around our volunteer’s other commitments, absolute reliability insofar as manning your shift is required! WIO shifts are a minimum of four hours long, in the morning, afternoon or evening. NCAs are asked to commit to 3 full months, are required to volunteer weekly and to work the same shift each week.

Must complete a 4 hour WIO training class - provided free by RCWC.

If you have any questions or concerns about these requirments, or the application process, please feel free to contact us.

Application

An application can be filled out on-line or downloaded to print. Applicants must also read and sign our volunteer agreement, liability release form and provide a criminal background check.

Although our application requirements may seem strict, working with wildlife is both a great responsibility and a great privilege.  Wildlife rehabilitation is strictly regulated by state and federal laws and Red Creek Wildlife Center does not take that responsibility lightly.

General Maintenance Volunteer - (GMV)

Overview

These volunteers help maintain the clinic, outdoor aviaries, wildlife garden, and more. Those who have basic carpentry, gardening, plumbing, house painting and/or masonry experience would be of great assistance to our organization. Maintenance volunteers are not required to have a regular weekly shift; rather, we will contact you if we have a need in your field of expertise once you have signed up.

If you have any questions or concerns about these requirments, or the application process, please feel free to contact us.

Application

An application can be filled out on-line or downloaded to print. Applicants must also read and sign our liability release form and provide a criminal background check.

Although our application requirements may seem strict, working with wildlife is both a great responsibility and a great privilege.  Wildlife rehabilitation is strictly regulated by state and federal laws and Red Creek Wildlife Center does not take that responsibility lightly.

Wildlife Capture and Transport (WCT) - Year Round

Overview

RCWC relies strongly on the public's ability to get an animal to our door. We do understand that this is not always possible. The Wildlife Capture and Transport Specialist is a state and federal regulated activity that requires a permit. Red Creek provides the training, test and permit application required by Pennsylvania.

General Tasks

WCT personnel are on-call during scheduled times for a designated area. If the need arises, the WCT will drive to an animal situation, determine proper intervention, capture the animals if necessary and transport the animal to our facility.

Requirements

Attend the RCWC 5 hour class for WCT, pass a written test and successfully complete the state permit process.

You must have a valid driver’s license and use your own vehicle. 

Although some equipment can be supplied by RCWC as it is available, WCT personnel are required to purchase some of their own equipment (Under $100).

Extreme patience in working with the public.

The demands of treating 1000 animals each year (most of them between May and September) require the highest level of commitment from our volunteers. While we certainly work around our volunteer’s other commitments, although you do not need to be present at our facility, absolute reliability insofar as being available during your shift is required! Because of the permitting process, WCT personnel are required to make a 2 year commitment.

WCT involves the ability to out-think and out-maneuver injured wildlife in their natural environment. Basic health, agility and physical fitness are necessary.

If you have any questions or concerns about these requirments, or the application process, please feel free to contact us.

Application

An application can be filled out on-line or downloaded to print. Applicants must also read and sign our liability release form and provide a criminal background check.

Although our application requirements may seem strict, working with wildlife is both a great responsibility and a great privilege.  Wildlife rehabilitation is strictly regulated by state and federal laws and Red Creek Wildlife Center does not take that responsibility lightly.

Supply and Tasks Assistance

Land owners/farmers: Release Locations - With the decline of farmland and woodlands we are having a much harder time finding release locations. We are always seeking areas of wooded areas, marsh/swampland, ponds or lakes. These regions need to be somewhat isolated from urban habitation and busy roads. Generally, this sites are used for less common species of wildlife. Several of the species are directly beneficial in that they consume 'pesky' insects and grubs.

Fishing: We occasionally need live minnows, small and large fish from fresh, safe sources. Perhaps you fish or know someone who does as a hobby. We like to keep a base of fishermen on file for when those needs arrive.

Errand runner: make special errands (such as picking up supplies) or phone calls as needed.