Without our volunteers, Dorset Hedgehog Rescue could not continue to care for hedgehogs in need. If you have a commitment and love for Britain’s native wild hedgehogs and improving their outcomes, and are aged 18 or over, then why not volunteer?
No special skills are needed – just the ability to commit to one shift on a regular basis and a passion for animal care. We have volunteers of all ages, levels of experience and background. There is no need to be a wildlife expert, but you need to be someone who cares about animal welfare and is willing to make a regular commitment. A minimum commitment of 6 months is required.
Alongside animal husbandry, there is the opportunity to get involved in fundraising, educational talks at local schools and organisations, and helping with the administrative side of our work.
Please note, we have a very small admin team, so it may take several days to receive a response.
Please note: Volunteers must be 18 years or over and able to work independently.
Unfortunately, we are unable to cover travel expenses. Minimum commitment: 1 shift a week or fortnightly at weekends
We are looking for volunteers that can attend on a regular basis, and commit to the same shift every week, or fortnightly at the weekends.
Every day, the hedgehogs in our care need weighing, their cages cleaned, food and water supplying, and their records updated. Many also require medication.
With over 100 hedgehogs in care, this is a time consuming process carried out every day, and for those on intensive care, twice a day. We are looking for volunteers who can offer three hours at a time on a regular rota basis to assist with the daily care routines.
Shifts are currently 10a.m – 1p.m 7 days a week.
Dorset Hedgehog Rescue volunteers assist other personnel with daily operations and with special events.
Duties include:
More experienced volunteers may be able to clean the nursery cages, which require special care, and assist with syringe feeding of orphan hoglets.
While this may seem like a fantastic thing to do, the reality is cleaning out soiled bedding and handling injured and ill animals. While having a love for wildlife, you will need to be practical and objective as we cannot cuddle these animals, that would cause immense stress for them, they are wild and have to remain so. So while caring you have to be able to carry out the work in an efficient manner with the least stress to the animal.
We clean everything out daily. Cleanliness is paramount to avoid spreading illness and even if it wasn’t, the smell from one cage not cleaned for 24 hours is unbelievable. We have A LOT of cages… and no gas masks.
Other tasks include; cleaning the hospital area, disinfecting work surfaces, restocking food and assisting with the gentle restraint of hedgehogs while medication is given. There is no lone working and at all times you will be assisting Staff and/or other volunteers.
You will be trained in the required tasks and expected to adhere to the rescue units risk assessments and protocols.
Please note that there is a lot of lifting involved in this role.
If you would like to become a volunteer with us, please click the button below and complete the application form. Once received, we will process your application, and get back to you in due course.
Admin volunteers play a key role at the rescue centre, and work closely with the Duty Manager.
They provide administrative support to the rescue centre’s operation including record keeping, bookkeeping, ordering supplies, contact with finders/release sites, carers and fosterers, and assist with arrangements for training and other events supporting the rescue.
Responsibilities
Candidate requirements
Qualities
Transport volunteers are needed to collect hedgehogs from finders who have no transport and bring them to the rescue centre Near Bere Regis or for vet runs taking or collecting hedgehogs from local vets.
As a rescue we cover the whole of Dorset, so need transport volunteer’s across the County.
As a volunteer you will be covered by our public liability insurance but you will need to make your car insurance provider aware that you volunteer for us to ensure that you are covered if involved in an accident while transport hedgehogs. It has never been an issue, but not making them aware could invalidate a claim.
