For those who want to be directly involved in the day-to-day care of our patients.

Wildlife Care Volunteers support our team with the daily husbandry and welfare of animals admitted to the rescue. This is a hands-on role that helps ensure our patients receive appropriate care in a clean, safe and suitable environment. 

Main duties include:

• Preparing species-appropriate food and providing fresh water.

• Feeding patients in accordance with their individual care plans and training.

• Cleaning and maintaining cages, enclosures and equipment.

• Changing bedding and maintaining appropriate hygiene standards.

• Observing patients and reporting any changes in behaviour, appetite or condition.

• Maintaining accurate records and following feeding instructions.

• Supporting the preparation of patients for rehabilitation and eventual release, where appropriate.

• Following infection control, biosecurity and personal protective equipment (PPE) procedures.

Important: Animal care duties depend on your training, experience and authorisation. Some medication administration and clinical procedures are restricted to appropriately authorised personnel.

For those who want to help wildlife in the field.

Wildlife Rescuers attend agreed rescue call-outs to assist animals that are injured, trapped, stranded or otherwise in need of help. This role may involve working outdoors, assessing situations and safely recovering animals where possible.

Main duties include:

• Attending authorised wildlife rescue call-outs.

• Assessing the situation and identifying potential hazards before approaching an animal.

• Using appropriate equipment and safe handling techniques within the limits of your training.

• Recovering and containing wildlife where it is safe and appropriate to do so.

• Following instructions from the rescue team and seeking veterinary or specialist assistance when required.

• Keeping members of the public, pets and other wildlife safe during a rescue.

• Transporting or arranging transport for casualties in accordance with the agreed plan.

• Recording relevant details about the animal, its location and the circumstances of the rescue.

• Cleaning and maintaining rescue equipment after use.

Important: Wildlife rescue can involve challenging environments, distressed animals, traffic, water, heights or other hazards. Volunteers must never put themselves or others at unnecessary risk. Some rescues require specialist training, equipment or professional assistance and must not be attempted by an untrained volunteer.

For those who can help get wildlife safely from A to B.

Not every wildlife casualty needs a rescuer to attend the scene. Sometimes, an animal has already been safely contained by a member of the public or veterinary practice and simply needs transporting to the appropriate destination.

Wildlife Transport Volunteers help reduce delays by collecting and transporting contained animals between veterinary practices, members of the public and the rescue, where an admission or transfer has been authorised.

Main duties include:

• Collecting contained wildlife from veterinary practices or agreed collection points.

• Transporting animals from members of the public when the collection has been arranged and authorised.

• Delivering patients safely to CapesWildlifeRescue or another agreed destination.

• Using suitable, secure carriers and following transport instructions.

• Keeping animals secure, minimising unnecessary disturbance and avoiding delays.

• Communicating with the relevant team member regarding collection and delivery.

• Confirming when an animal has been collected and safely handed over.

Important: This role is for transporting animals that are already contained. It does not involve catching or physically rescuing free-roaming wildlife. All journeys must be agreed in advance, and volunteers must follow the relevant transport and biosecurity procedures.

For those with strong communication, organisation and problem-solving skills.

Behind every rescue is a great deal of communication and coordination. Our Admin & Emergency Responders help manage enquiries, gather important information and ensure that wildlife cases are directed appropriately.

This opportunity includes two distinct areas of responsibility.

Administration Volunteer

Administration Volunteers help keep the rescue's communications and general enquiries organised, allowing the team to focus on animal welfare and urgent cases.

Main duties include:

• Assisting with emails, messages and general enquiries.

• Responding to routine questions using approved guidance and procedures.

• Directing enquiries to the appropriate team member.

• Helping maintain organised records and administrative information.

• Supporting the preparation of documents, forms and other resources.

• Identifying urgent messages and escalating them promptly.

• Maintaining confidentiality and handling personal information responsibly.

Emergency Responder – Telephone Triage

Emergency Responders assist with the initial telephone assessment of wildlife cases. Their role is to gather accurate information, help establish the urgency of a situation and direct the caller towards the appropriate next steps.

Main duties include:

• Conducting telephone triage using the rescue's approved questions and procedures.

• Gathering details about the species, location, condition and circumstances of the animal.

• Establishing whether there are immediate safety concerns.

• Recording information clearly and accurately.

• Following approved triage guidance to help determine urgency and the appropriate referral or escalation.

• Communicating with the relevant team members about cases requiring further assessment.

• Explaining the rescue's admissions process and ensuring that callers understand that admissions must be authorised in advance.

• Referring cases to a veterinary professional, relevant authority or another rescue when appropriate.

Important: Emergency Responders do not independently diagnose conditions, prescribe treatment or guarantee admission. Their role is to follow approved triage procedures, identify concerns and escalate cases appropriately. Urgent veterinary needs must not be delayed while waiting for a response from the rescue.

For those who want to support wildlife without necessarily working directly with animals.

CapesWildlifeRescue relies on donations and fundraising to help cover the costs of food, bedding, veterinary treatment, medicines, equipment and the development of our facilities.

Fundraising Volunteers help us raise the funds needed to continue our work and support more wildlife in need.

Main duties include:

• Helping organise and run fundraising events.

• Supporting stalls, community events and awareness activities.

• Promoting fundraising campaigns and donation appeals.

• Helping prepare fundraising materials and displays.

• Encouraging community involvement and explaining the work of the rescue.

• Supporting collection and recording of donations in accordance with our procedures.

• Helping develop new fundraising ideas and community partnerships.

• Sharing approved fundraising content through personal networks and social media.

Important: All fundraising activities must be agreed with the rescue in advance. Volunteers must follow our procedures for handling donations, representing the organisation and using our name, logo and promotional materials.

Work Experience at CapesWildlifeRescue

Learn About Wildlife Rescue

Interested in wildlife and or animal care? CapesWildlifeRescue offers work experience opportunities for those wanting to learn more about wildlife rehabilitation and the day-to-day running of a rescue centre.

Students may assist with suitable tasks such as food preparation, cleaning enclosures, maintaining hygiene and observing animal care.

Supervision

All work experience students must work alongside their designated Work Experience Supervisor at all times.

Your supervisor will explain tasks, provide guidance and ensure activities are suitable for your experience and abilities.

Students may handle selected animals only when specifically authorised and directly supervised.

What You Cannot Do

For the safety of our patients and students, work experience students must not:

• Enter isolation areas or handle isolation patients.

• Administer medication or treatments.

• Perform clinical procedures.

• Catch, restrain or transport wildlife independently.

• Undertake tasks without permission or supervision.

All students must follow our instructions, PPE requirements, hygiene procedures and biosecurity protocols.

Before You Start

All placements must be agreed and authorised in advance. Students must complete the required work experience form and paperwork before their placement begins.

Placements are subject to availability, suitability and our ability to provide appropriate supervision.

Interested?

Contact CapesWildlifeRescue with details of your interests, proposed dates and any school or college requirements.

Come and discover the rewarding work involved in giving wildlife a second chance!