New volunteer opportunities coming to UI Wildlife Medical Clinic

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Animal lovers will have a unique opportunity later this summer to work with local wildlife at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The university’s Wildlife Medical Clinic says beginning this August, multiple new volunteer positions will be available to students and the public alike.

In their announcement of the new opportunities, the WMC shared a sneak peak of what will be offered:

• Wildlife Medical Clinic Student Internship Program
  • Open to current UIUC or Parkland undergraduate or graduate students
  • Students will be responsible for intake, care and release of all animals
• Orphan Feeding Team
  • Open to anyone interested
  • Volunteers will be responsible for the care of the orphan patients admitted to the clinic, and will possibly have the chance to observe clinical procedures and participate in daily clinic activities
• Ambassador Care Teams
  • Open to anyone interested, although those with animal caretaking or handling experience are preferred
  • Volunteers will be responsible for aiding in the care and enrichment of the ambassador animals. Volunteers will mostly be responsible for cleaning, feeding and enrichment, but some may have the chance to train with birds of prey.
• Transport Teams
  • Open to anyone interested, but volunteers must have a working vehicle
  • Volunteers will assist in transporting wildlife patients for care at independent rehabilitators of other facilities

The WMC invited anyone interested to join them on August 1 at 6:30 p.m. for an informal Zoom session.

More information about the different volunteers offerings is available on the WMC’s Facebook page . Anyone who has questions about the programs or volunteering in general can contact the clinic by email at WMCChair@vetmed.illinois.edu.

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