Volunteer Opportunities

Thank you so much for your interest in volunteering  The Sanctuary can utilize long term volunteers, given that we operate a 794 acre facility with over 600 large carnivores in residence, but it does require an extensive training process. The Wild Animal Sanctuary is one of the only facilities in the country that focuses on, and routinely provides, large acreage habitats where animals can live on a permanent basis.

- Volunteers must be at least 16 years old

- We require a 6 month commitment

- We require that you volunteer 16 hours (2 full days or 4 half days) a month

* All volunteers must be active supporters www.wildanimalsanctuary.org/active-supporters-visitors

The Sanctuary does not provide housing, transportation or compensation for volunteers, so all candidates must be able to arrange their own housing, transportation, food and other support resources with family, friends or on an independent basis.  Daily transportation will require an automobile, as no trains, buses or light-rail services come anywhere near the Sanctuary.

There are two shifts: Animal Care and Education and you must spend equal time in each. This is a hands-off sanctuary; there is no interacting with the animals.

In order for the Sanctuary to process your inquiry to serve as a volunteer, we will need you to fill out a volunteer application and become an *active supporter. Once the Sanctuary has received your application, I will contact you as soon as possible for our next Orientation.

Find the application at: www.wildanimalsanctuary.org/volunteer

*To be an Active Supporter there is a minimum donation of $120 annually.  To better support the animals we suggest a minimum of a $250 annual donation which is the same as the Active Supporter requirement for the general public. If choosing the $120 option, this must be paid in full prior to your first volunteer shift. The $250 Active Supporter option can be achieved through a one-time donation, a medium or large animal adoption, or by starting a quarterly or annual pledge equivalent or exceeding $250.

Background Check Statement: 

Approval for Volunteering is contingent upon successfully passing a background check prior to your Volunteer Orientation/Acceptance. This background check does not report to any credit bureau and no impact will be seen on the volunteer applicants side. This process helps the Company screen for any past background experiences that pose a threat or a discrepancy to the Organization. By applying you are authorizing the The Wild Animal Sanctuary to perform this background check.