Get Involved
Q: Looking for a meaningful way to support Maine’s wildlife?
A: Become a volunteer!
Whether you're working directly with our wild patients or supporting us behind the scenes, your time and compassion help give injured, orphaned, and sick animals a second chance at life in the wild.
Looking for a meaningful way to support Maine’s wildlife?
Become a volunteer!
Saco River Wildlife Center relies on a passionate, dedicated team of volunteers to carry out our mission. Whether you're working directly with our wild patients or supporting us behind the scenes, your time and compassion help give orphaned, sick, and injured animals a second chance at life in the wild.
To begin, follow the link below to complete our application. One of our team will contact you for next steps.
Volunteers must be 18 years old.
As a wildlife care volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to work closely with Maine’s native mammals.
Volunteers:
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Feed animals of all ages, from orphaned babies to adult patients
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Provide species-appropriate enrichment to prevent stress and boredom
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Safely and thoroughly clean enclosures (indoor and outdoor)
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Clean equipment, toys, laundry, and feeding supplies
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Answer telephones
You’ll be paired with an experienced team member and receive training to ensure you feel confident and supported in your role.
Questions are always encouraged during your shifts—we don’t expect you to memorize everything from day one. Volunteers build skills and confidence over time and we’re here to support you.
Want to Help, But Can’t Commit Weekly?
We understand that life gets busy. If you’re not able to volunteer regularly or physically be on-site, there are still plenty of meaningful ways to support us!
We always need volunteers who can:
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Pick up or deliver donations and supplies
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Help plan and staff fundraisers and community events
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Transport wildlife to and from our facility
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Provide administrative support
Sometimes, something as simple as driving an orphaned or injured animal to our center can be life-saving.
For other questions about volunteer opportunities, contact us via our Facebook or send us an email at sacoriverwildlifecenter@gmail.com
Don’t worry if you don’t hear back right away- SRWC is a private facility run by a small number of volunteers, and we can’t always respond as quickly as we’d like.
Volunteer Documents
Click on the name to download!
Internships
Internship Opportunities at Saco River Wildlife Center
At Saco River Wildlife Center we are pleased to work with colleges and universities to provide internship opportunities for students majoring in related fields including animal behavior, environmental studies and conservation, pre-veterinary studies, biology, and other related majors.
Our interns are an essential part of our mission to care for Maine’s wildlife. We deeply value the dedication, curiosity, and hard work our interns bring, and we are committed to providing a meaningful, hands-on learning experience.
What You Can Expect:
• Work closely with experienced wildlife rehabilitators and veterinarians
• Gain practical skills in animal care, rehabilitation techniques, and facility operations
• Participate in public education, outreach, and community engagement
• Learn about wildlife biology, conservation, and the legal and ethical responsibilities involved in rehabilitation
• Be part of a supportive team that encourages questions, growth, and professional development
This internship is ideal for students or recent graduates in biology, environmental science, veterinary studies, or related fields, as well as anyone passionate about wildlife care and conservation. Prior experience with animals is helpful but not required—your enthusiasm and commitment matter most.
Eligibility:
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Must be 18 years of age or older
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College degree or current college student is not required. We welcome non-traditional interns! Students may be eligible to receive academic credit for this internship.
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Highly self-motivated
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Attention to detail, punctuality, initiative and a strong desire to learn are required
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Personal transportation is required
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Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
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Positive attitude and strong work ethic
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Tetanus and COVID vaccinations are required
Compensation and Hours:
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Internships are unpaid
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Full-time interns are required to work 40 hours per week
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Part-time interns are required to work a minimum of 24 hours per week
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Interns will be required to work some early morning, late evening, and weekend shifts.
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There is mandatory training the first few shifts of each internship session and we ask that schedules remain open during this time.
Volunteer/staff/intern shifts are typically scheduled as 8:30am-1pm or 12:30pm-5pm, and 4:30-9pm. We are flexible with shifts.
How to Apply:
Please send your resume and a brief statement of interest to sacoriverwildlifecenter@gmail.com.
We offer seasonal internships with flexible start dates and hours.