Volunteers are the heart of what we do. Whether you’re transporting birds in need, assisting with their care, or keeping our facilities running, your time makes a direct difference for wild raptors and the habitats they depend on.
We are an all-inclusive organization, and welcome volunteers of all races, ethnicities, religions, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and backgrounds. Discrimination and harassment have no place in our organization.
There are a variety of ways you can volunteer your time, experience, skills, and passion to help us with our mission. Please click on any of the following areas to learn more.
If we do not have openings in the particular category you are inquiring about, we’ll keep your volunteer information on file and contact you when an opportunity is available.
General requirements for all volunteers
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- 6-month minimum commitment
- Current vaccinations (including Tetanus and COVID)
- Review training or instructional materials
- Review and agree to Standards of Conduct (role-specific)
- Pass a background check (covered and initiated by LVRC)
- Current Health Insurance
- Sign waiver & other relevant paperwork
- Must adhere to all LVRC procedures and protocols at all times
Transporter
Transporters respond to calls from LVRC when a raptor needs to be brought from the finder’s location to our facility or transferred from our facility to another. You do not need any special training, skills, or equipment – just a vehicle.
As a transporter, interacting with the public, you are also representing Loudoun Valley Raptor Center. You are expected to conduct yourself professionally and respectfully at all times.
Activities
- Respond to calls from LVRC for transport
- Safely transport to LVRC promptly
Requirements
- All general requirements, plus:
- Valid driver’s license
- Reliable vehicle
- Current proof of Auto Insurance
- Background check includes driving record
- Transports happen on an as-needed basis
- Must be able to receive text notifications
- Text notifications only occur when a transport is needed within your selected area
- Text notifications happen between the hours of 8am and 7pm, seven days a week (holidays included)
Rescuer
Rescuers respond to calls about injured raptors. They are trained by our staff to retrieve a bird, secure it safely, and transport it to LVRC’s facility.
As a rescuer, interacting with the public, you are representing Loudoun Valley Raptor Center. You are expected to conduct yourself professionally and respectfully at all times.
Activities
- Respond to calls from LVRC for injured birds
- Observe injured raptor behavior
- Retrieve injured raptors
- Safely transport raptors to LVRC promptly
- Provide information to LVRC staff about the rescue
Requirements
- All requirements of a Transporter, plus:
- Comfortable around all raptors (from Eastern Screech Owls to Turkey Vultures)
- Rescues happen on an as-needed basis
- Must be able to receive text notifications
- Text notifications only occur when a rescue is needed within your selected area
- Text notifications happen between the hours of 8am and 7pm, seven days a week (holidays included)
- Rescue Volunteers provide their own equipment for catching and safely transporting injured, sick, and orphaned birds (such as cardboard boxes, leather welding gloves; list will be provided)
Rehab Assistant Volunteer
A Rehab Assistant Volunteer works alongside our rehabilitation staff to provide daily care and husbandry for our patients and related activities.
Wildlife rehabilitation is not for the faint of heart. It is not for the squeamish. It is not for those hoping to bond with the birds. Wild raptors need minimal human contact to reduce stress and to stay wild enough to be released, so our care is quiet, respectful, and hands-off whenever possible. It is the behind-the-scenes work that every wildlife rehabilitation facility depends on, and it is what gives wild raptors a second chance.
Activities
- Food preparation (including mice, rats, chicks, quail, fish [all dead])
- Cleaning of cages, housing, treatment, and storage areas
- Feeding of patients
- Medical care
- Patient examination
- Laundry
- Inventory
Requirements
- All general requirements, plus:
- Willingness and ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Ability to lift and carry up to 20 lbs.
- Minimum 4-hour shifts
- Ability to work in various weather conditions
- Reliable transportation to and from LVRC facility
Facilities Maintenance
LVRC has multiple buildings and facilities on 4.25 acres – and plans for more, so there’s always plenty of activity on our to-do list.
Our maintenance volunteers help with repairs and new builds for our patients and mission, as well as general maintenance around the center.
Most of our maintenance needs require people skilled in construction. Other needs may only require experience and skill with tools. We also have occasional needs for skilled tradespeople to provide repairs, maintenance, and upgrades to our facilities.
Activities
- New builds
- Maintenance and repair activities on existing facilities
- Lawn care
- Plumbing*
- Electrical*
Requirements
- *Skilled tradespeople must be licensed, bonded, and insured
- Provide own tools
- Must conform to LVRC expectations and requirements for patient, wildlife, staff, volunteer, and public safety