This anonymous statement was proven time and again during the initial construction phase of our project but and remains more than true into the operational phase. So many different types of volunteers are needed.

1. Hospital volunteers are offered a training course every year. It consists of three two hour classes covering the procedural requirements of volunteering at the hospital. Volunteers are asked to participate for a minimum of three continuous hours a week. The rounds of animal care are performed during the morning and again at evening. Rounds are completed every day throughout the year. During these times the patients must be fed, their cages cleaned, medications given and the entire recovery room disinfected. In the evening, this is repeated. Outside  cages also must be cleaned and fresh bedding provided. Volunteers may advance as far as they desire in this area. Many have gone on to being licensed as rehabilitators.

2. Rescue/Transport volunteers are also training annually. WRC has trained over 100 volunteers to safely capture and contain injured animals. R/T volunteers are called to help when reports of animal injuries are received from concerned residents. Contained animals are then transported to the center or a local cooperating veterinarian. R/T volunteers are also called for assistance to transport animals for scheduled veterinary checkups. These volunteer duties are appropriate for people who want to help, but can't commit to a regular schedule.

3. Administrative volunteers are also crucial to the operation of WRC. Typing, filing, folding, copying, sorting, stacking, stamping and a million other chores take time.... and time is crucial to the volunteers taking care of the animals. Even answering the phone takes a time commitment. We receive over 10,000 calls a year from concerned callers who just want to ask a question...to those with an animal emergency. We need people who are willing to answer the phone or just put stamps on out going mail. Please consider giving a few hours a week.

4. Fundraising volunteers are needed to assist with the myriad chores associated with staging a fundraising event. Both before and during various events volunteers are needed to hang posters, prepare ads, make radio announcements, mail post cards, assist during the event and clean up afterward. If parties are your thing then we need you as a volunteer. Check out our calendar of events to see how you can fit in.

5. Internships and cooperative education experiences are available to college students to earn credits every semester by working at WRC. Depending on how many hours students can spare per week, up to three credits can be earned. This experience is important to those planning on continuing their education. Actually, many co-op participants are now attending vet schools around the country.

6. Community service volunteers are mainly filling requirements of high school civics classes. Many however, take an interest in what we are doing here at WRC and continue to volunteer long after they have filled their school requirements. There are many values to be instilled...responsibility, reliability, integrity and dedication to tasks that may not be desirable, but necessary for the well being of our patients.

7. Eagle scout project potentials exist here at WRC. Currently we have scouts creating meal worm farms to feed our patients with a need for over 20,000 worms a week. Another is constructing kiosks to provide educational materials to park visitors who traverse our trails and paths. There are many other projects on the books that would fit the bill for eagle scouts projects.

"Together, we can make a difference!"