C.R.O.W. Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, Inc.

Volunteers are precious commodities at CROW and without them, we would be unable to care for the large number of orphaned and injured wildlife in Southwest Florida. Thank you for your interest. If you are unable to donate your time, there are many other ways to support CROW Click here for details.

The following are some areas of need for volunteers. Most are unglamorous and dirty, but very satisfying in the end, knowing that you are having an impact on the health and welfare of wildlife in Sanibel, Captiva, Fort Myers, all of Lee County and beyond. Please call our volunteer coordinator at 239.472-3644, EXT: 3 or E-mail at volunteers@crowclinic.org to receive more information or to sign up as a volunteer.

Daily Patient Care
A typical day would include cleaning cages containing patients such as gulls, pelicans, osprey, opossums, squirrels and songbirds. Along with the rehabilitation process comes dirty laundry, dishes and floors. Volunteers help in all of these areas. Grazing gopher tortoises is also an important part of the morning routine and volunteers are welcome to participate in this activity. During the spring and summer, volunteers who have consistently worked in the daily outside cage cleaning may wish to undergo training to become baby bird feeders. Patient care goes on at CROW 7 days per week and volunteer shifts are available each of these days from 8 am to 12 noon.

Organize food/diets for patients
Volunteers in this area first begin cleaning cages and are then trained in the process of preparing diets for CROW patients.

Transportation of injured patients
Every day, injured wildlife is taken to veterinary hospitals in Greater Lee County that serve as “drop off” locations for CROW Volunteer drivers pick up these patients, transporting them to CROW, using their own vehicles. Available shifts are from 9 am to 1 pm or 12 pm to 5 pm.

Rescue injured patients
This volunteer opportunity is for individuals who have been specifically trained by CROW staff to capture injured birds, mammals and some reptiles.

Administrative Duties
Assisting CROW staff with answering phones, fling, data imput and other operational needs.

Fundraising Events
Each year, CROW has one or two major fund raising events, at which a number of volunteers are needed ranging from selling tickets, working booths, parking, event planning, stuffing and folding invitations, etc.

Programs/Education
Experienced volunteers in this area must go through a training session by CROW staff before beginning their work in this area. Volunteers may participate in our daily program held on the grounds of CROW, as well as outreach presentations to area service clubs, organizations and other groups and school education programs. We encourage our volunteers to assist in current programming evaluation, along with suggesting improvements or changes.

Repair Cages/Buildings "CROW Bars"
Fondly called our CROW Bars, these volunteers perform general handy-man work; painting, electrical, plumbing, cage maintenance and carpentry.

Mow Grass/Trim/Landscaping
With Florida’s weather, CROW is in need of constant maintenance of its 12.5 acres of grounds. Volunteers help with tree trimming, mowing, general landscaping and gardening.