Mercer County Wildlife Center Seeks Volunteer Support

Mercer County Wildlife Center, which accepted and treated 2,400 birds, mammals and reptiles in 2012, is seeking individuals who would like to volunteer their time to care for animals brought to the Hopewell Township facility.

The center’s staff and volunteers care for native wildlife that are injured, ill or displaced, and provide medical treatment and a temporary refuge to prepare the animals for release into an appropriate, wild habitat. The center is staffed 365 days a year by one full-time licensed wildlife rehabilitator and two full-time assistants and receives more than 12,000 phone calls annually.

“This facility is one-of-a-kind both in terms of quality of care provided by the staff, including five volunteer veterinarians, and the high volume of animals that are treated,” said Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes. “And the many volunteers who assist our Wildlife Center are indispensable. I urge anyone who might be interested to volunteer.”

The Mercer County Wildlife Center, a facility of the Mercer County Park Commission, has scheduled its 2013 volunteer orientation from 10 a.m. to noon, Sunday, March 17, 2013, and 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, March 23, 2013, at the center. Those who are interested are required to attend only one of the two sessions.

To work directly with the animals, volunteers must be at least 18 years of age, have had a current tetanus vaccine, and are required to attend one orientation session. No other sessions will be offered this year. The center requires that volunteers who work with animals make a commitment to a regular, once-a-week, four-hour shift from April through October. This commitment is necessary because of the feeding schedule requirements and housing demands of the animals.

The Mercer County Wildlife Center is located on Route 29, approximately three miles south of Lambertville and 12 miles north of Trenton. Anyone interested in registering for either orientation session or needing more information can contact Volunteer Coordinator Jane Rakos-Yates at jrakosyates@mercercounty.org, or call (609) 883-6606 x103.