Around late August, the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network’s center in Goleta usually begins to quiet down. Hundreds of orphaned wild animals that are brought to the
center in April and May are healthy and strong enough to return to the wild.
This marks the end of the busy season, Baby Season, which usually runs March until August. But this year, Baby Season has extended deep into August. 337 animals are still receiving care at the center. Many are babies. Many more are injured adults. On average, a dozen new patients come through the doors every day.
The Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network is in need of volunteers to help to keep up with these animals’ needs. Tasks include:
● Washing dishes, syringes, enclosures and carriers
● Doing laundry
● Preparing and distributing fresh diets
● Animal rescue and transport
Volunteer work can be accomplished at a social distance. All staff and volunteers are required to wear masks and gloves at all times. Gloves are provided.
The next few months are a critical preparation period for the groundbreaking of Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network’s new Wildlife Hospital, a state-of-the-art facility,
which will be built on the property to better serve the needs of the network’s growing patient load. Volunteers are needed to:
● Clear and reorganize supplies in sheds
● Move and construct animal enclosures on other parts of the property
● Prepare the land for groundbreaking
The Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network invites those who are interested to apply to be a volunteer at a hub of wildlife care and to be part of the opening of the new hospital.
To apply, visit https://www.sbwcn.org/volunteer-application. To learn more about the Wildlife Hospital, visit https://www.sbwcn.org/wildlifehospital.