VOLUNTEER

VOLUNTEER WITH BIRDS AND BEAKS

VOLUNTEER DETAILS

AVAILABLE SCHEDULED VOLUNTEER HOURS

Monday: 11:00 AM-2:00 PM 
Tuesday-Saturday: 10:00 AM -2:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

DAILY TASKS FOR VOLUNTEERS:

  • Water birds

  • Feed birds

  • Sweep Floors

  • Mop Floors

  • Clean Cage Liners/Wipe down cages

  • Wipe Down Surfaces

  • Clean Air Purifiers

  • Straighten Cage Storage

  • Clean Playstands

  • Give Bird Baths

  • Deep Cleaning tasks (walls, windows, window sills, etc.)

  • Meeting Room Cleaning

  • Make Bird Toys

  • Socialization with the rescue’s “Guard Dogs”

  • Socialization with the birds

    We currently are not accepting volunteers to “work with the birds” on training or otherwise. Hanging out with the birds is our reward for all the hard work that goes into rescue. Volunteers are rewarded by being able to hang out with and socialize with the birds, after we get the other things done every day. ❤️❤️❤️

Shannon’s nephew, Carlton is legitimately the cutest 4 year old on the planet. Ruby said so.

Gus, in his premeditated murder stance, awaiting Michelle’s husband’s gutsy entrance into the room.

VOLUNTEER FAQs

Q: Can I volunteer to meet birds to see who might be a good fit for me?

A: While we hope sincerely you will fall in love and wish to adopt here at Birds and Beaks while you’re volunteering, if your objective is to adopt - we want you to go through the adoption process and get approved first to create a set of managed expectations for you, and for us.

The reason for that is if you come and put in hard work, love, time and effort into volunteering - that is incredible for the rescue, but it doesn’t let us know if your home life is suitable for a bird.

What we DON’T want is for you to become attached, and then decide you’d like to adopt a bird and then find that we can’t approve you for adoption.


EXAMPLE:

Person volunteers, falls in love with a macaw. Puts in application after they become attached to this macaw. We learn in the application process they live in an apartment complex, and her dad chain smokes in the house.

It’s not that we don’t adore and appreciate and love the applicant - but she’s not in control of her life situation right now, and we can’t put a macaw in an apartment, or a home that has people smoking inside of it.

Now, the volunteer feels sad about volunteering, and gets upset with us when we put this bird into a good home.

We lost a volunteer, and a potentially great home for a bird in the future.

Q: Can I volunteer to see if birds would be a good fit for my life and to learn?

A: Hell yes! We’d love that! In the same vein as the above FAQ, we still want you to go through the process to make sure you’re a good fit before you fall in love with one (or ten) but if you want to just come spend time with the birds and learn about basic care and the how’s and why’s of what we do here - that’s our idea of a very good time.

Q: As a volunteer, can I handle birds and spend time with them?

A: Yes, although we do have limits on how much time you can spend with each bird. Our goal as caretakers is to never become attached to the animals, or have them become attached/bonded to us. It’s a fine line to walk.

We do spend time with enrichment, playing, some target training, and general tomfoolery with the birds to keep them entertained and their needs met.

BUT, if we bond with birds here it makes it tough for them to find homes, and they behave differently and negatively with visitors than if they are unattached to our team.

(Plus, as much as I’d like us to have alllll the birds, hoarding isn’t a good look for anyone - especially rescues.)

Our job is to provide balanced care, meet their needs, keep them entertained, but to leave them emotionally available to bond with the right person who we qualify to put in front of them.

Q: Can I bring treats and snacks for the birds and the rescue’s “Guard Dogs”?

A: We would love that! That said, be sure to clear all foods/snacks you intend to bring to the rescue through the Facility Manager, Michelle to ensure the foods are safe and nutritious for the animals.

Approved Snacks for the birds:

  • Washed Grapes

  • Washed and sliced Mango, Papaya, Cantaloupe

  • Washed Pomegranate

  • Washed Snap Peas, Carrots, Broccoli, Spinach Greens,

  • Mandarin Oranges/Cuties

  • Christine’s Chop Shop Birdie Breads and Snacks

APPROVED SNACKS FOR THE DOGS:

  • Any dog treats that are organic/crunchy

  • Yak Cheese Chews

  • Leftover cooked meats from your home

We do not give our birds processed junk foods like crackers/chips/etc.
We do not give our dogs rawhide.

VOLUNTEER APPLICATION FORM

After you fill out this form, you’ll receive a text message from Michelle Woudstra, our Facility Director. She is the person who coordinates all the volunteers and schedules volunteers so we’re covered for tasks every day.

She will set you up for a day that she can train you and help you get acclimated to the rescue.

If you decide you love it here (and we hope you do!), then we can schedule you as much or as little as you’d like on our regular schedule.

The only thing we ask is that if you sign up to cover the chores, that you follow through with the days you sign up for.

We count on you and are in desperate need of help!