Volunteer Programs
Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center


The Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to the treatment of stranded marine mammals; the education of students, volunteers, and community; and a better understanding of the water environment through research.
Volunteers and Staff return
Without volunteers the program would be almost impossible to run. Although there is no monetary reimbursement for volunteering, the pay back can enrich your life through learning, and the gift of your valuable time to a worthwhile cause is tremendously rewarding.

To apply, please fill out our online form or contact the volunteer coordinator Anne Watson at (207)283-0170 ext. 2600 or email awatson@une.edu.

More than Animal Care
Although animal care is one aspect of volunteering, it is not always the best fit for everyone. If you are one of the non-animal people, but want to volunteer, do not worry - there is a place for you within the organization.

Some of these other areas are docenting, fund-raising, outreach, education, office work, data-basing, maintenance, and working with seawater systems and in the diagnostic laboratory. Below is a list that goes into greater detail on each of the above categories. Each is an important and integral part of keeping the Rehabilitation Center running as smoothly as possible.

Volunteer Opportunities
Take a moment, read through the following, and if you are still interested in volunteering, please take a moment to fill out the online volunteer application. If you have other questions or would like more information, contact Marine Mammal Rehabilitation Volunteer Coordinator Anne Watson at (207) 283-0170 ext. 2600 or email awatson@une.edu.

Volunteer guidelines:

  • Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age to work hands-on with the animals.
  • Most positions requires a six month minimum commitment.
  • All applications will be kept on file for three months.
  • Our greatest need for volunteers is during weekday business hours.  Weekend shifts are available on a more limited basis.

The volunteer application process includes:

  • The Online Application
  • A Personal Interview
  • Successful completion of our training program

Animal CareVolunteers help with water quality and diagnostic research.
When animals are at the center for rehabilitation, volunteers are involved with every aspect of the animals return to the wild. What is expected of the volunteers is: cleaning of the animal pens, restraint of the animals for medical work, preparing food, facility upkeep and maintenance, and of course other duties assigned as needed. 

Diagnostic laboratory
Volunteers are needed to help the vet tech with procedures within the lab, such as gathering water quality data (morning shift), data basing results and other miscellaneous information, and other duties as needed.

Outreach
Performing public outreach is a very important role for the MSC. This is sometimes the first introduction that the general public has to the MSC and what it does. This entails travel expenses that are tax deductible but which have no monetary reimbursement. Outreach activities would include going to country fairs, educational fairs, professional fairs at businesses, etc.

Docenting and Education Volunteers assist with school-groups and docenting
Volunteers in this area give in-house tours and talks to school-groups as well as the general public.  The education programs range from pre-school age through college, and help is needed for both weekday school visits and weekend public visitation hours.

Office work
As always the amount of office work is unbelievable. Office volunteers would assist the rehabilitation coordinator and veterinarian with computer work, filing, keeping track of volunteers and volunteer hours, processing application requests, helping with grants, running errands and other duties as needed.

Join Us...
Consider the above list, where would you be most interested in volunteering, and when filling out the volunteer application, please be sure to write the area you are interested in being part of in the correct space. Remember also that after your personal recommendations are called, you will be notified when to report for a personal interview or an orientation.

Updated 10/03/06

   

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