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 Willowbrook Wildlife Center is always looking for volunteers for a variety of positions. Volunteer Animal Keeper, Volunteer Interpreter, Volunteer Veterinarian, Volunteer Intern and Community Outreach Volunteer with a variety of shifts and commitments are all available. Further information can be obtained by calling (630) 942-6200 or by visiting the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County's volunteer information page available here.
Volunteer Animal Keeper
Volunteer Animal Keepers work under the direction of Willowbrook staff performing various activities to help rehabilitate the injured wildlife of DuPage County. Willowbrook has a hands-off captive-rearing and caring policy, meaning there is as little contact with the animals as possible. Volunteer Animal Keepers do not cuddle, play with, or tame animals, as this reduces the chances for successful release. Volunteer Animal Keepers do not work with bats, adult raptors, herons or egrets, and/or with adult carnivores, such as skunks, raccoons, and foxes. Animal keepers are responsible for feeding, cleaning and observing animal behavior. Over time you'll learning to handle a variety of native wildlife in different situations.
Volunteer Interpreters
Volunteer Interpreters work with the Wildlife Center's visitors, teaching them about wildlife, natural history and conservation. On weekdays in fall and spring, Volunteer Interpreters typically spend most of their time with school groups and children's organizations, giving tours and special programs. The focus switches to casual visitors with some children's organizations on weekends and in the summer months. Some Volunteer Interpreters may spend more time admitting animal patients and in telephone contacts with the public.
Volunteer Veterinarians
Volunteer Veterinarians work under the direction of Willowbrook's staff veterinarian, providing professional veterinary services to help injured wildlife of DuPage County. Volunteer Veterinarians spend most of their time performing initial examinations and providing diagnostic expertise, as well as formulating initial diagnoses and prognoses on all animals for rehabilitation. Volunteer Veterinarians must hold a degree in Veterinary Medicine and have appropriate professional veterinary licensure. With staff assistance, Volunteer Veterinarians may treat adult raptors, or shore birds and adult carnivores, such as raccoons and foxes.
Volunteer Interns
Individuals interested in becoming a Volunteer Interpreter or an Animal Care Volunteer may volunteer in either area as long as they can commit to either 4 weeks at 20 hours per week or 5 weeks at 15 hours per week. Interns will have an intensified hands on experiences as either an Interpreter or Animal Keeper. It involves more responsibilities including learning to tube feed babies and administering medications. Some students are even able to use their internship as a school credit. Many interns have enjoyed their experience so much that they continue in a volunteer role when their internship is completed.
Community Outreach Volunteers
This is a new effort for Willowbrook and the participants' observations and ideas will be invaluable in making this Willowbrook Wildlife Center program effective. Community Outreach Volunteers are the Wildlife Center's publicity outreach arm. They work as representatives of the Center to encourage visitation, promote understanding of wildlife, and encourage memberships and volunteer opportunities for the Center. The emphasis is on fairs and festivals in the warm months and will shift to indoor locations the rest of the year. Volunteers take exhibits and information about the Center to malls, movie theatres, and special events, where the public is invited to learn more about Willowbrook Wildlife Center's education and rehabilitation mission.
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