Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society

Help Volunteers to Help Wildlife

Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society (MARS) is a registered non-profit society with the mission to rescue and rehabilitate orphaned or injured wildlife. This is an ever growing and evolving society working toward the future of providing a comprehensive and professional service to the communities of Northern Vancouver Island the outer islands.

Volunteer Information

A volunteer opportunity with MARS can be a very rewarding experience. People may be attracted to wildlife rehabilitation because it sounds rewarding, exciting, and enjoyable. It can be all of those things. Becoming a wildlife rehabilitator takes a commitment of time and energy, as well as a willingness to learn more about the wildlife and how to provide the best care. It is not a hobby and at times it can be difficult and tiring. Rehabilitation is not about cuddling wildlife or keeping wildlife as pets but keeping wild animals wild. It’s about releasing those wild animals that can recover. It is recognizing that some wild animals die or must be euthanized. It is, overall, the joy of seeing an animal return to its natural habitat, healthy and wild again.

We require that our volunteers:

Become members of the society

Be 18 years of age or older - young people have not fully developed immune systems to resist zoonotic disease (transmitted to humans).

Have an up to date tetanus vaccine

Have dependable transportation

Be responsible and treat this as they would a job

Be willing to commit to a minimum of 3 months as caregiver

Give 4 hours per week as caregiver (seasonal)

Yes I want to volunteer to help wildlife on Vancouver Island:

Choose an area that interests you. It is not necessary to work directly with wildlife you can help with:

· Fundraising - once a year or on a regular basis.

· Transport - deliver injured wildlife to another facility.

· Construction - help build and repair housing (we really need construction tradesman, plumbers, electricians, carpenters etc.).

· Education - assist in delivering info to schools and public displays.

· Administration - help with office work and/or board of directors decision making.

· Basic Wildlife Care & Rehabilitation - feeding cleaning and caring for birds and animals, requires a time commitment of 4 hours per week.

If you have desire but no experience we will teach you. Receive training in 1st aid and handling of injured animals. Help raise orphans. Determine and administer medicine. Visit veterinarians and assist when able.

Call 337-2021

for orientation and see if this is for you.