How to Become a Raptor Trust Volunteer

**December 20, 2022 – update: all volunteers must present proof of vaccination in order to be considered for a position at The Raptor Trust.**

The Raptor Trust is a licensed wild bird rehabilitation facility. We take care of injured and orphaned native birds with the goal of releasing them back into the wild. Of the more than 5,000 birds that come through our infirmary each year, most of them arrive in the summer months. It is during those months, which we fondly call “baby bird season,” that we most rely on our hard-working volunteers. Our busiest season runs from mid-May through mid-August, so we ask potential volunteers to look at their schedules and seriously consider the commitment they are making. After the summer has ended, we are still in need of volunteers to help during the fall and winter months. There are many ways you can help The Raptor Trust. Below, we discuss the most common ways we can use volunteer help.

• Food Prep and Cleaning – this position facilitates the staff’s ability to care for the birds. OUR STAFF provides medical care, make medical decisions, feed baby birds, and handle the birds directly. OUR VOLUNTEERS provide diet prep, cleans cages of the adult songbirds once they’ve made it to the end of their rehabilitation journey. Volunteers are also responsible for cleaning adult waterfowl, gulls, and pigeon enclosures and feeding and caring for the many ducklings and goslings in our care. Volunteers do not work with raptors. Volunteers are also critical for helping with the laundry, dishes, and other assorted tasks as needed. This position is the most active, and requires a lot of moving around and lifting heavy water jugs. There are three volunteer shifts mid-May through August: a morning shift (8am-12pm), afternoon shift (12pm-4pm), and an evening shift (4pm-8pm). From mid-September through late April, there are only morning and afternoon shifts.
• Gift Shop – Our recently renovated gift shop is a critical source of income for TRT and our volunteers help by running the cash register, restocking products, and maintaining cleanliness between guests. The Gift Shop has two HEPA air filters and windows to open, plus a plastic shield to protect from COVID exposure. This position is less active, and has ample opportunity to sit down inside.
• Reception – with 5000+ patients every year, maintaining our patient database is critical. Receptionists enter finder and patient information into our database, and update past years records into our system. This position is good for someone computer savvy who wants to be in the infirmary, but are happier not cleaning bird messes.

• Laundry/Custodial Shift – This position is excellent for folks who want to give back to The Raptor Trust but can’t necessarily commit to 10 weeks of volunteering or need more flexible hours. This position consists of 2-hour pick-up shifts, (8-10,10-12, 12-2 etc.) throughout the duration of regular working hours in our summer season. Volunteers will be helping us out with things like laundry, newspapers, and other custodial needs that tend to need extra attention during our busiest time. Although this position has no direct contact with birds, it allows people to give back to the wild birds they seek to protect!

• Grounds work and maintenance – We often have grounds work and beautification projects that need assistance. This position is flexible, can be for as needed projects, or a consistent schedule. This position does not require a 10 week commitment.

Volunteers are not allowed in raptor cages, nor are they allowed to handle raptors, although they are welcome to watch the trained staff do their work.

You must be at least 18 or older to volunteer.

Please fill out a Volunteer Interest Form here.

If you have any questions, please call Megan Burns, Volunteer Coordinator, at 908-647-2353 or email her at volunteers@theraptortrust.org.