Animal Volunteer Guidelines
Thank you for joining the animal volunteers at the Rye Nature Center. You will be playing an important role in caring for our resident animals!
Age Requirements and Supervision
Animal volunteers must be 15 years of age or older to work independently. Anyone who is 14 years old may volunteer with direct supervision from FRNC staff pending availability. (September to Mid-June Only)
Volunteer Duties
Animal volunteers should be available once a week to assist with caring for our animals in the resource room. All volunteers will receive proper training from a staff member. Animal Volunteers should:
Be comfortable interacting with and handling a variety of reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and insects. This includes, but is not limited, to snakes, lizards, cockroaches, mealworms, and crickets.
Clean animal habitats thoroughly.
Work well alone or with other volunteers, interact with visitors as they may get questions about the animals they are caring for.
Ask for help from Rye Nature Center Staff when needed.
Expectations
Communication is key. If you are not able to make your scheduled day to volunteer you must notify Katie Jamer, Associate Director of Programs via email (katie@ryenaturecenter.org) or phone (914-967-5150) at least one day in advance. If you are unable to attend at the last minute please call the Nature Center.
Volunteers are responsible for logging their own hours in the animal volunteer log sheet.
Volunteers must be able to commit to coming weekly (unless otherwise discussed with staff) for at least one seasonal period (Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer). Scheduling is flexible and done on a weekly basis through an online sign-up.
Volunteers must complete a new animal care sheet each day they volunteer, detailing what each animal was fed/cleaned.
All food, water, bedding, and other materials for the animals should be returned to its proper place. The animal room should be cleaned and swept after all the animals have been cared for.
All volunteers are required to follow FRNC’s health regulations and procedures.
Volunteer contact info
In addition to a volunteer application, please fill out the volunteer waiver form(s).
Volunteer Release (for minors)
Volunteer Forms need to be completed on an annual basis.