Principles of Volunteering at the Center
One of the Center’s most significant education programs is its volunteer program. Volunteering at the Center is all about learning. It is also about doing something for the community, especially the community of wild animals that live in and among our neighborhoods. There are no age barriers for volunteers; anyone of any age can come to the Center and participate in caring for animals and helping the Center provide for its own unique community. Volunteers work on special events like our “Night of a Thousand Faces” Halloween event. Volunteers also conduct tours, raise money, walk our llama and goat, clean, feed and exercise reptiles, conduct birthday parties, and assist in the exams of animals for the Odd Pet Vet. As volunteers work and care for animals and our facility they are taught about the biology of life on Earth, about work and work ethic, and about how to ask investigative and discovery style questions. Volunteers work along side wildlife biologists, veterinarians, interns, and other volunteers. The Center embraces and encourages mentor style hands-on apprentice–type education and work.
Volunteer Application Download
Hello,
I am just curiouse on the volenteer application. On the possition preference section it says “read the opportunities available and the time requirements of these opportunities” where would I find that informaition?
Hi Devin, Just bring the application to the volunteer orientation tomorrow and Steve will be able to answer your questions. Best, Katrina
Hello! My name is Deanna and I am interested in volunteering at the New England Wildlife Center. From what I can see there is an orientation March 16 at 12pm and that is where I should bring my application? Also I saw that you mentioned that there are orientations on the Friday’s before the 3rd Saturday of every month also? So would there be an orientation March 15th as well at the same time?
Thank you,
Deanna Moore
Hi Deanna, Yes! Look forward to seeing you at New England Wildlife Center.
Awesome! Thank you, I look forward to it!!!
Hello,
I am interested in volunteering and gaining experience working with wildlife as I am applying to veterinary school this fall. I have printed & filled out an application and would like to attend the orientation in March. Just to verify–would the orientation be March 23rd at noon? Is there anything else I should bring with me besides the application or should I send the application in beforehand?
Thank you,
Kristen
Hi Kristen, Volunteer trainings are the 3rd Saturday of each month, which is the 16th. You can bring your application in with you. Call the front desk at 781 682 4878 closer to the date, just to confirm. We look forward to seeing you. Have a good day.
Ah, yes the 16th! See you then.
Also, I have summers off since I am a teacher and was wondering if an internship would be an option although I will be finishing my Masters this spring?
Thanks again,
Kristen
Absolutely Kristen – right now we are going through the interviewing process for summer time. There is an application here on our website. We love teachers!
Dr. Rob is our wildlife veterinarian and intern coordinator. You may also like to connect with Dr. Martinez who teaches in and out of school time for younger kids mostly in Boston Public Schools. There may be useful things for you in both places. Best to call me us – 781-682-4878 x119 – Nina. We’ll figure this out. Have a good day. Best, Katrina 
Hi, I’m interested in volunteering but I dont know what to do after I have filled out the application form.
Hi Jessica, There is a volunteer training on the third Saturday of every month at 12:00 and on the day before that on Friday at 12. You can bring your application with you then or you can fill it in then. Any questions, just give us a buzz at 781 682 4878. Thanks. See you soon.
So there will be one this saturday?
Yes
Hi! I am interested in applying for the internship, but first I was hoping to get some experience volunteering. I live in NY, and will be in the Boston for only a weekend coming up in October. If I send in a volunteer application now, is there anyway I can volunteer for that weekend? It happens to be the third weekend in October, so I was thinking of going to the orientation. Would I be able to get any volunteer time in afterward? Thanks so much!
I meant “Boston area.”
Hi Priscilla, The best thing to do is call Rob Adamsky our wildlife veterinarian. He is great and will be able to help you. Our number 781 682 4878 or you can email him at newildlifecenter@gmail.com Hope we meet soon
Thanks for your help Katrina!
hai , so i’d love to volunteer , I have always wanted to deal with animals … i tried to get into a agricultural school but was put on a waiting list … i was hoping i could volunteer at the Center … i have a few questions to ask but not on here so if someone could email me that’d be great ! -thank you for your time
Hi Alicia, Thank you for your interest in volunteering. The best thing to do is call Steve Martin at the Center – 781 682 4878 x126. He will answer any questions that you have. There is a volunteer orientation the third Saturday of every month at 12 too. Hope to see you soon!
hii would like to know if there is any spots open for the nursery i filled out the aplication please get back to me when you can thankyou from julia.p
Hi Julia, To start the process of volunteering at the Center, you first attend a volunteer orientation. They are held on the third Saturday of each month at noon. There is one this Saturday. At the orientation you can find out what volunteer opportunities there are and see if you are interested. If you have questions in the meantime, please call 781 682 4878 x126 to speak with Steve Martin our volunteer coordinator. Thanks so much. Have a great day.
I am very interested in volunteering and will be filling out an application right now. Are the orientations open to anyone or do I need to have filled out a volunteer application previously and been contacted? Also, are the orientations located at the address listed in the “contact us” section of the website? Thanks.
Hi Kim, You can bring your application to the orientation, no problem. The orientation is held on the third Saturday of each month at 12 noon. Yes, it is held at the Center which is located at 500 Columbian Street in South Weymouth. Our phone number is 781 682 4878. See you soon!
thankyou for all your help hAVE a great day
Hello,
If I were to go to the orientation this Saturday, would I be able to get 10 hours of volunteer work before the school year starts. The hours would go towards my community service.
Thank you,
Angie
Hi Angie, I can’t guarantee that, but we will try our best to help you. Talk to Steve on Saturday, he is wonderful. Best of luck.
I plan on volunteering. I will be seventeen on Sunday. What is the date and time to the next orientation?
Hi Nicole, Third Saturday of every month at 12.
Ok, thank you.
You’re welcome! Hope to see you soon.
Is there hazmat training available at the Center? If so, how old do you have to be to become Hazmat trained?
Hi Chandler, I am assuming you are already a volunteer. All volunteers are required to receive a hazmat training. Steve Martin schedules them – 781 682 4878 x126. Have a good day.
i am signing my son up to volunteer and was just wondering when the next orientation is.
thank you
also: do you mail in volunteer application or bring it with you to the orientation
Hi Rebecca, You can just bring the application with you. The orientations are the third Sat of every month at 12. Hope to see you there!
I am planning on attending orientation with my 11 yr old daughter so we can hopefully volunteer this summer. I have a 7 yr old son too. Would he be able to volunteer or is he too young?
Hi Jen, As long as you are with your son he is more than welcome to volunteer with us. See you soon!
Hello, I went to the volunteering orientation on the 17th of March, however because I am enrolled in a school two hours away from home I could not start volunteering just yet. I am, however coming home next week and plan on volunteering for the next 4 months. Should I go to another orientation first or go ahead and schedule my days? I don’t have my paperwork with me therefore I am not sure exactly who to call on this matter and I want to set everything up as soon as possible so as to start volunteering shortly after coming home.
Hi Polina, You only need to attend one volunteer orientation. You should contact Steve Martin to set up next steps. Look forward to having you at New England Wildlife Center!
Thank you, I’m excited! Is there an e-mail or phone number I can contact him by, I can’t seem to find it on the website? Or should I just call the center and ask for him?
Hi Polina, 781 682 4878 and Steve’s ext. is 126.
Anyone at the front desk can help you too. Best, Katrina
Hi,
Where will I be able to find the list of volunteer positions?
Thanks,
Janis
Hi Janis, thanks for your interest in volunteering at the Center. The application is on line and their is a monthly volunteer orientation – third Sat of the month at noon – where we talk about all of the opportunities. Please call the Center and talk with Nina to double check because sometimes they are moved to a different Saturday. When you fill out your application, please write in your goals for volunteering at the Center, even though there isn’t yet a space for that on the application. That way, we can make sure we can accommodate you. I look forward to meeting you. Have a nice Friday. Best regards, Katrina
Hi my name is Mia and my friend and I are interested in volunteering but the only thing is we are 12 years old …………Can we still volunteer with no parent or guardian super vision? Please help!!!
Sincerely,
Mia<3
Hi my name is Mia and me and my best friend Ryan are interesting in volunteering but our age is 12 ……… is it possible for us to both sign up without an adults super vision? We are very intrested and work very properly with all animals. Please let me know if this is possible
Sincerely,
Mia
Hi Mia,
Unfortunately its our policy that all volunteers under age 17 need to have an adult guardian with them while volunteering. Maybe one of your parents can come help out with you and Ryan.
–NEWC Staff
I am interested in volunteering with my 9 year old daughter. She is passionate about animals and the environment. Would this be possible?
Thank you!
Hi Jennifer, Yes. There is a volunteer application form that you can download from this website and bring with you to the volunteer orientation which is held on the third saturday of each month from 12 -2. Directions are on this website too. You can also call 781 682 4878. We look forward to meeting you. Have a great day! Best, Katrina
Thanks Katrina~we are definitely interested, but have had a busy few weeks with family members moving. Is the next orientation on January 21st?
Best to call ahead to double check the week before. Look forward to meeting you. Best, Katrina
To Whom It May Concern:
I am a current junior at Barnard College, Columbia University, studying pre-veterinary and Biology. I have been working at a veterinary clinic in NYC for about 2 years so I am great handling domestic animals. I would, however, like experience with more of a variety of animals, not just cats and dogs. Would I be able to interact one-on-one with the animals if I volunteer and would I be able to volunteer for maybe just 2 weeks in the summer (because I live in New York)?
Thanks so much and look forward to hearing back from you!
Hi,
I am interested in volunteering but have a question on the application. There is a section that asks to list the positions we would be interested in and the time requirements but there isn’t a list of positions. Can you tell what positions are available and the time frames of those positions?
Thanks! Jackie
Great question Jacqueline,
Positions at the center all blend into one during your stay. What the application is asking for in this segment is what are your interested positions/ focuses while being here i.e. public presenter, animal care taker, office work, media work, out reach programmer, odd job/ craft projects ect.
There are basic day to day tasks that you will be instructed to contribute to that may not fall under the “fun” category, but it is essential that these types of task get complete every day.
Volunteer orientations are held every 3rd Saturday of the month at 12 noon, at which time commitments will be explained more in detail.
See you there!
Simone,
The Center takes in volunteers all year round. After filling out the application that you can download here, you must attend a volunteer orientation to be put on the schedule.
Orientations are held every 3rd Saturday of the month at Noon. The next one will be October 15th @ noon.
See you there,
Kyle
I would like to volunteer some of my time on weekends.
Please let me know a direct eamil to send my application