Ohio Wildlife Center, Ohio’s leading non-profit wildlife rehabilitation and education organization, is searching for dependable volunteers for a unique position.
Our hospital relies heavily on other groups and individuals to provide care once an animal is stabilized. Correctional facilitates across central Ohio are some of our best allies – providing secondary support to thousands of young, healthy orphan animals just needing a good meal and place to stay until they’re strong enough to be released.
On a typical spring day, Ohio Wildlife Center’s Hospital can receive between 30-70 animals, each needing emergency care. We can also have 120 calls on our information line…there’s no rest for our hospital staff and volunteers in spring!
Interested individuals looking to help can become volunteer drivers today! Volunteer drivers will make routine trips to these partner correctional facilities to drop off young animals and supplies, and pick up food items produced for us (mealworms, crickets, etc.).
Trips will generally take 3-4 hours. Ohio Wildlife Center will safely contained animals in appropriate containers for
the trip. Interested individuals 18+ years or older* must have:
- A flexible, daytime availability (pick-ups from Ohio Wildlife Center generally start between 11am-1pm)
- clean background check
- A reliable mode of transportation (if you opt to not use Ohio Wildlife Center provided transportation)
- Patience (drivers must occasionally wait at facilities)
**Please Note** Children under 18 years of age MAY NOT accompany volunteer drivers.
You can specify a facility (close to your home) and/or available weekday. Our volunteer coordinator will contact you once your application is received.
Facility Locations:
Lancaster-Southeastern Correctional Institution (Mondays)
5900 B.I.S. Road, Lancaster, Ohio 43130
Marysville-Ohio Reformatory for Women (Tuesdays)
1479 Collins Avenue, Marysville, Ohio 43040
London Correctional Institution (Thursdays)
1580 State Route 56, SW, London, Ohio 43140
Marion Correctional Institution (need back-up driver on Wednesdays)
940 Marion-Williamsport Road, Marion, Ohio 43302
Similar to other volunteer positions, if you use your own vehicle, Ohio Wildlife Center will not reimburse you for mileage but does encourage interested volunteers to track their travel and submit for IRS tax deductions at the
standard Federal rate. Ohio Wildlife Center will waive the start-up volunteer fees for this urgent volunteer position.
Thank you for your interest in Ohio’s Wildlife!