Founded in 1986, Woodlands Wildlife Refuge is dedicated to the care and rehabilitation of New Jersey’s native mammals and reptiles. We provide specialized care to thousands of injured and orphaned wild animals each year, with the ultimate goal of returning them to their natural habitats.
Our volunteer program offers a unique, hands-on experience in wildlife rehabilitation. As a volunteer, you’ll play a vital role in helping these animals heal and thrive, making a direct impact on their survival and release back into the wild.
Must be at least 16 years of age to volunteer.
The required $10 Application Donation may be paid online below, by phone to 908-730-8300, or by mail.
Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Select applicants are sent instructions for the required orientation.
Submission of application and donation does not guarantee a volunteer position.
There is no obligation up to and including the required orientation.
Various volunteer positions are available including working directly with wildlife, enclosure maintenance and repair, assisting with our education programs, board and committee members. No experience is necessary as we provide all required training.
For anyone interested in community service, or similar hours needed, we offer assistant work. This includes preparing meals, sweeping, mopping, laundry, dishes, cleaning and working closely near the animals but not directly with them. This can be scheduled directly with a staff member via phone or email any time of year.
Due to the nature of our work with wild animals, volunteer handlers require at least 16 hours of on-site training. This opportunity is open to volunteers that commit to a weekly schedule long-term. For this, and all other regularly scheduled opportunities, see the Volunteer Application.
Click Here to download an excerpt from our Volunteer Manual.
Click Here to download our Rabies Vaccination Information sheet.
Volunteer Application Form
Application donation
Interested in joining our Board of Trustees?
Woodlands Wildlife Refuge welcomes new prospects for our committees and Board of Trustees. We seek a variety of professional skills, and professional or personal experience in community outreach, fundraising and leadership. Nonprofit board experience is desirable but not required.
Woodlands Wildlife Refuge is a nonprofit organization that has served New Jersey’s wildlife and human communities since 1986. Woodlands is recognized statewide and internationally as an effective provider to those communities and wildlife in need. It is well known for its quality animal care, wildlife rehabilitation programs, public education and community service. As its animal admissions and day to day work load continue to increase development activities are focused on ensuring that Woodlands continues to meet those demands. Woodlands’ is dedicated to planning for the future and serving generations to come, both human and wild.
Interested in becoming a board member? Click here for more information
Become a release site!
Do you have property that can be used to release rehabilitated wildlife?
Woodlands Wildlife Refuge is in search of release sites for the various species we care for. As you can imagine, the continued loss of habitat makes this more difficult each year. We pride ourselves on giving our successfully rehabilitated animals the best possible second chance. Proper release into suitable habitats is critical and each species has certain requirements. Providing a safe place to release wild animals back into their natural habitats can be very rewarding. You will help to give them the second chance they deserve. Beinga New Jersey wildlife rehabilitation center, we can only release wildlife within the state. If you are interested in being part of our release program please fill out the enclosed form and send to the address on the bottom. We would love to consider your land for a possible release site. We will look over all responses and contact you as needed to go over details. Thank you for your consideration of this program.
Click here to download the release site application