The Mercer County Wildlife Center, which accepted and treated 2,200 birds, mammals and reptiles in 2015, will be holding orientations for new volunteers at the facility in Hopewell Township. Volunteer orientation sessions for 2016 are scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 19, and 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, April 3, at the Wildlife Center. Those who are interested are required to attend only one of the two sessions.
Volunteers must be able to commit to one, four-hour shift, once per week, from April until September. This commitment is necessary because of the feeding schedule requirements and housing demands of the animals. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age and have a current tetanus vaccine, and are required to attend one orientation session. No other sessions will be offered this year. Volunteer duties are varied and include cage cleaning, diet preparation, laundry and many other behind-the-scenes opportunities.
The Mercer County Wildlife Center is owned by the County of Mercer and operated by the Mercer County Park Commission. The center is located on Route 29 in Hopewell Township, approximately 12 miles north of Trenton.To register for either orientation session, or for more information, contact Volunteer Coordinator Jane Rakos-Yates at (609) 303-0552 ext. 103 or jrakosyates@mercercounty.org.
For more information about the Mercer County Wildlife Center or other facilities within the Mercer County Park Commission, visit mercercountyparks.org.