Volunteer support is needed to assist the efforts of the Mercer County Wildlife Center.
The center cares for wild birds and animals who become injured, ill, orphaned or displaced, providing medical treatment and a temporary refuge prior to release back into an appropriate wild habitat.
The center is staffed 365 days a year by one full-time licensed wildlife rehabilitator, and two part-time assistants and could not exist without volunteers, including three veterinarians who help care for the patients. During 2000, over 1,700 birds and mammals were brought to the center, which also has responded to over 7,000 phone calls.
There are many ways to help. To work directly with animals, one must commit to a regular four-hour shift from April to October due to the feeding requirements and housing demands of the animals. The center provides the training.
Other roles with more flexibility include setting up and sales at monthly flea markets, staffing a community outreach event such as Pennington Day or Hopewell Harvest Fair, as well as much needed fund-raising support. The center also needs a maintenance crew to work outside cleaning the bird and animal cages.
Annual volunteer orientations will be held March 25 or April 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The orientation will include a tour of the center, which is closed to the general public due to the need to minimize human contact. Volunteers must at be at least 18 years of age, complete an application and agree to a background check. These are the only orientations to be held all year. They are mandatory for anyone who wants to work with the animals.
The facility is located on Route 29, just south of Lambertville, on the grounds of the Mercer County Corrections Center. The Wildlife Center engages one full-time resident from the Corrections Center.
If interested in registering for either session, or for more information, call Kathy Coffey, 219-0090, or e-mail at [email protected].
