Volunteers are vital to the operation of the non-profit Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary. Without concerned individuals like yourself, we would not be able to continue our mission to save our indigenous wild birds.
There are five areas where the Sanctuary is of great need for volunteers: Outside Maintenance Care, Advanced Inside Hospital Care, Inside Office/Gift Shop, Advanced Rescue Volunteers, and Student Internship Programs.
A volunteer usually begins training outside caring for the permanently crippled birds. Hospital volunteers typically have had some experience in animal care, nursing and bird identification, or have had some experience with our permanently crippled residents. Seasonal volunteers that assist during baby bird season (April - July), and previously experienced volunteers usually begin training in the hospital. Rescue volunteers are taught the proper techniques in bird capture, handling and transport by our amazing (totally volunteer) rescue teams.
OUTSIDE MAINTENANCE CARE consists of scrubbing pools and benches, raking pens and aisles, talking to visitors, and assisting staff and volunteers in various projects such as food preparation and feeding. An outside volunteer is necessary for bird observation, particularly at feeding time, to insure that the birds are eating well and behaving normally. Two shifts available: 8am to 12:30pm and 1:30 to 4:30pm. Contact: shop@seabirdsanctuary.com or call 727-391-6211. INSIDE OFFICE OR GIFT SHOP: consists of answering phones, computer work, filing, and office/gift shop assistance. Marketing and research could be involved. All levels of experience is needed including: housekeeping, fundraising, or attending events on behalf of the Sanctuary. Hours can be between 8:30am to 5:00pm.
Contact: michelle@seabirdsanctuary.com or call 727-391-2473.
INSIDE ADVANCED HOSPITAL CARE consists of emergency reception of new patients, direct bird care and observation, cage cleaning, housekeeping, food preparation and tube feeding. This process goes on throughout the day and is tripled during the baby bird season. Hospital volunteers need to have some experience in animal care, nursing and bird identification, or have had some experience with our permanently crippled residents. The hospital volunteer must have compassion and an understanding of the natural process of life and death. Euthanasia is mandated by law and humane guidelines in some cases. Hours available daily: 8am - 9pm. Contact: sss@seabirdsanctuary.com or 727-392-4291.
ADVANCED BIRD RESCUE volunteers are available to respond to calls received by the Sanctuary concerning a wild bird in distress. Our volunteers normally respond to calls regarding large seabirds, or birds of prey that are dangerous or intimidating for the general public to handle. Rescuers work designated geographic areas of their own choosing work with an experienced rescuer until they are qualified to rescue independently. Hours generally available daily: 9am - 8pm. Contact: rescue@seabirdsanctuary.com or 727-391-6211.
STUDENT INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS: The Sanctuary works with several local colleges where internships are available. These are programs designed for a student who is studying environment, ecology, conservation and/or wildlife. College credits are sometimes awarded. Please contact: michelle@seabirdsanctuary.com or call 727-391-2473.
These areas outlined above are general. If these areas don't "fit your bill," that's ok! There is room for everyone at the Sanctuary! Like any organization, we need people who have a variety of skills: docents, exhibitors, handymen, carpenters, gardeners, laboratory analysts, office skills, computer data entry, retrieval, and programming. If you want to help the birds, we have a place for you!
We want you to gain knowledge about the Sanctuary so we encourage you to read all of our literature. Flyers, brochures, and bird guides are available at the Sanctuary office or gift shop Feel free to ask staff and volunteers any questions you may have about the Sanctuary. Everyone wants you to feel comfortable and a member of the Sanctuary team as quickly as possible. The vast amount of avian knowledge that many of our staff and volunteers have can be overwhelming at first. Don't let this discourage you. This knowledge will come to you gradually.
