Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
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 Volunteering 
(Part-time)

How would you like to help?

 As a non-profit registered charity, with no government funding, we rely solely on the generosity of the public for financial support.  We also rely on a large and diverse team of volunteers who support and share our commitment to save wildlife.

We are always looking for enthusiastic, reliable volunteers to contribute in any way possible. Whatever you can offer we give our sincere gratitude and admiration!
 
Fundraising
Perhaps you’d like to help build community support and awareness of what we do?  Each year we attend the Cottage Life Show, Bala Cranberry Festival, and other local community events.  We have our online auction where we are looking for donated items for bidders.  We have our gift shop at our Open Houses.  Local businesses who offer their services or make donations ie: food and supplies for the animals.  If you enjoy event planning, and working with the public, then this might be for you!

 
Tour Guide
Love chatting with people, sharing stories and educating all ages about wildlife and cohabitating with them?   Consider becoming a tour guide (don’t worry if you don’t know much about wildlife, we provide you with training).  The public can book guided group tours with us any time of the year.  It’s wonderful to see their reactions upon seeing a Moose or bear for the first time!  Guided tours are a great way for us to educate the public and create awareness of what we do and it’s also a good way to raise funds.

Landscaping & Gardening 
Love to garden and cut grass? We always need help with this!  Summer is our busiest time with animal care and the hardest time of year for us to keep those gardens looking nice.
 
Driver
Did you know that in the spring and summer we recruit 16 full-time animal care volunteers from Canada and all around the world who come and help us rehabilitate our native wildlife?  These remarkable volunteers cover all their own transportation costs to Aspen as well as their own food costs in order to donate their time and hard work.  If you own a vehicle, can cover fuel costs, hold a valid G license and are looking for a way to make a difference, consider driving our animal care volunteers to either Huntsville or Parry Sound so that they can shop for provisions.  Sometimes injured animals need a ride to Aspen too!

To join our AVWS Dispatch Team,  kindly click on the link and find out how you can be part of our animal driver program. 
www.facebook.com/groups/2277907565814958/
 
Maintenance & Repair
Do you have a skill such as carpentry, electrical, working with a chain saw, construction, grading gravel roads?  If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty we are always looking for volunteers to help maintain our facilities.  This could include either constructing or repairing enclosures for our permanent animals, fixing a leaking faucet or clearing trees and bushes.  With 465 acres it takes a lot of volunteers to maintain and enhance our facilities.

Animal Care Assistant
Want to work with animals but can’t commit to full-time?  We need animal care assistants who help contribute to the care of wildlife without requiring animal handling.   There are so many supportive duties that help maintain the readiness and cleanliness of the rehabilitation center every day!  Anything from helping with food preparation, washing and disinfecting food bowls, bottles, syringes, incubators, etc.  Restocking supplies in the rehabilitation rooms with food, linens, medical supplies.  Organizing and sorting donated items.  Cleaning cages, floors…phew the list goes on and on!

Custodian 
Do you consider yourself an organizer?  Ok to get dirty?  Then this might be the role for you.  Maintaining cleanliness of the property is important to the delivery of exceptional animal care and enrichment. Help us keep our animal care facilities and property both tidy and functional.  This could be anything from organizing our storage areas, clearing of small trees and brush, sorting debris and preparing items for storage or disposal, light maintenance (or dismantling) of small animal enclosures, etc.  Everyday there's something that needs to be done!  

Raccoon Foster Caregiver - Seasonal
If you live in the Parry Sound / Muskoka area and have a quiet household, this might be an option for you.  Starting April through to August is our busiest time of year for intake of orphaned baby wildlife; sometimes we need extra help!   Being a foster parent to baby raccoons requires 4 scheduled bottle feedings per day (we provide all supplies such as cage, formula, etc).  You would have 2 to 4 baby racoons for about 8 weeks or until they weigh approximately 2kg at which time they would return to Aspen Valley.   This takes a lot of commitment but it's also very rewarding.

 
What are my commitments as a part-time volunteer (other than Raccoon Foster Caregiver)?
  • Minimum 4 hour shifts once per week; flexibility in days of the week and morning or afternoon shifts.  To help us manage and assign work, we would appreciate consistency in the day(s) of the week that you can commit to
  • Able to work outdoors regardless of the weather conditions
  • Comfortable working in an environment where animals reside
  • Must have your own transportation to and from the Sanctuary and be able to cover costs
  • Volunteers are responsible for their own meals; with access to our volunteer common room kitchen and bathroom
  • Working with the public as well as volunteers
 
If you are interested in becoming a part-time volunteer, fill out our application below.  Our Volunteer Coordinator will contact you via email within 3 – 5 business days.

​Further questions please send to volunteer@aspenvalley.org

    Apply Now!
    Volunteer Application Form
    ​Part-time

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Location

Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary:
​1116 Crawford Street
Rosseau, ON
P0C 1J0

What Our Visitors Are Saying:

"Our environment is a legacy to our children.  This team works to support Canada's habitats and native animals in so many ways.  Thanks for all you do!"

"Amazing people doing great work."

"Overall great experience."

"A really nice walk with mom and dad. I learned how beavers make up the environment."
Donate

Email Us:

​General Inquiry: info@aspenvalley.org

Booking a Guided Tour: tours@aspenvalley.org

​Volunteer Opportunities:
volunteer@aspenvalley.org

Donations/Fundraising:
​donations@aspenvalley.org

Phone Us:

Office: 705-732-6368

Animal Care/Inquiries:

​705-644-4122

Open Hours:

By Appointment Only
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Management & Staff
    • Mission
    • Board of Directors
    • News
    • Opportunities at AVWS
    • FAQ
  • Animals
    • Sanctuary Residents
    • Animals in Rehabiliation
    • Educational >
      • Educational Video
      • Living with Wildlife
      • Found an orphaned animal
      • Scavenger Hunt Activity
  • Support our Efforts
    • Guided Tours >
      • Animals at the Sanctuary
      • Guided Tours
      • Photography Tours
      • Please read before you visit
      • Family Days 2020 - Cancelled
    • Sponsor an Animal
    • Wishlist - most needed items
    • Volunteer
    • Donate a Car
    • Supporters
  • Gifts
    • Send an E-Card
    • Guided Tour Gift Certificates
    • Photography Tour Gift Certificates
    • T Shirts >
      • Bear T Shirt
      • Wolf T Shirt
  • Donate now
    • Donations of Securities
    • Wildlife in Care
    • Cailan's Adventures in Support of Wildlife
    • Frank A. Helt Memorial Fund