Whether working in wildlife medicine, rehabilitation, education, and/or conservation, the general advice from experts in this field is to get hands-on experience and get to know the professionals who are working in the areas in which you want to be involved!
This page organizes a number of resources for students and others seeking advice on how to get started. Many of these pieces focus on current and former staff members and offerings at the Wildlife Center.
- The Find Out section features a wealth of information about what life is like in a busy wildlife hospital.
- The Volunteer section connects to a number of volunteer opportunities at the Center.
- The Train and Learn section offers links to training opportunities and online courses through Wildlife Care Academy and the Call of the Wild Conference.
- Becoming a Wildlife Rehabilitator links to an overview of essential information for getting started in this rewarding field.
Find Out
What's It Like? Days in Photos
What happens in a typical day for a wildlife vet, rehabilitator, or administrator? More than you might think! Follow Wildlife Center staff members through these photo journals, giving you a glimpse into what it's like to be a part of a non-profit wildlife hospital.
Vice President of Wildlife Non-profit
We followed Lacy Kegley, the Wildlife Center's former vice president for administration, through one day just after the new year in 2019.
Wildlife Veterinary Intern
We followed Dr. Monica Madera, one of the Wildlife Center’s veterinary interns, during an early spring day at the hospital.
Office Manager
We followed Amber Buck, the Wildlife Center’s Office Manager, during a busy spring day in April.
Front-Desk Coordinators
We followed front-desk coordinators Marley Crawford and Caroline Elpers during a busy spring day.
Being in Wildlife Conservation: E-Interviews with Staff & Colleagues
What does it take to work in the wildlife field, and what are some of the most surprising and memorable moments when working with wild animals? Check out this series of online "interviews" with staff, students, and our colleagues in the field of wildlife. Many of these were created for the first season of UNTAMED: Life is Wild, a television series that looks at the wild and often perilous world of wildlife, as seen through the eyes of the patients of the Wildlife Center of Virginia.
Being a Wildlife Biologist: Jaime Sajecki
Jaime Sajecki is the Regional Wildlife Manager with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.
Being an Outreach Coordinator: Raina DeFonza
Raina DeFonza was an outreach coordinator at the Wildlife Center of Virginia from 2012 to 2019.
Being a Wildlife Rehabilitator: Brie Hashem
Brie Hashem was a wildlife rehabilitator at the Wildlife Center from August 2016 - May 2019.
Where Can it Take Me?
Many wildlife professionals have passed through the Center’s doors over the years. These former veterinary interns and fellows, along with wildlife rehabilitators and education professionals, have gone on to continue to contribute significantly to the field of wildlife medicine and rehabilitation.
Where can a career in wildlife medicine take you? Click on the names below to find out!
Name | Position at WCV | Dates at WCV |
|---|---|---|
Wildlife Rehabilitator | 2011 – 2014 | |
Veterinary Intern | 2002 – 2003 | |
Veterinary Intern | 2005 – 2006 | |
Veterinary Intern | 2001 – 2002 | |
Intern for Veterinary Diagnostics | 2009 – 2010 | |
Veterinary Intern | 2011 – 2012 | |
Veterinary Fellow | 2010 – 2012 |
Be Like Ed: Preparing for a Job in Wildlife Conservation
In 2019, Wildlife Center co-founder Ed Clark was interviewed about Season 1 of the Wildlife Center television show UNTAMED: Life is Wild. In the course of the interview, Ed was asked:
“What is your advice for someone who wants to work in the wildlife field?” His answer was illuminating:
“To some extent, my advice to people who are looking for their dream job is to get to know your own dreams first! Don’t try to put yourself into what you imagine to be someone else’s dream job. Give real consideration to what gives you joy, and the things about which you are passionate in life—not just causes, but lifestyles, values, ethics, and activities ...”
Volunteer
One of the best ways to explore a career in wildlife conservation is to dive in and volunteer. The Wildlife Center offers several avenues for donating time and skills. We need veterinary volunteers for various hospital or housekeeping tasks. Transport volunteers help bring rescued wildlife to and from the Center. Outreach volunteers work with our education team to communicate messages to the public about the lessons learned in our clinic. Find out more:
Train and Learn
Working with wildlife requires dedication and expertise. Since its inception, the Wildlife Center has focused on developing programs to help emerging and established professionals gain that expertise and advance in the profession. In addition to internships and externships in the field, the Center offers other educational opportunities for wildlife professionals.
Wildlife Care Academy
The Wildlife Center of Virginia established the Wildlife Care Academy to provide comprehensive instruction on a wide array of topics, including wildlife rehabilitation, wildlife medicine and diagnostics, capture and restraint, as well as related disciplines regarding conservation education and organization management. The Academy offers courses that are appropriate for those with established careers seeking continuing education, and for those just getting started in the profession.
Call of the Wild
The Center’s annual wildlife rehabilitation conference offers lectures and workshops for wildlife rehabilitators, veterinarians, veterinary technicians, educators, and conservation professionals for continuing education credit. The annual conference is co-sponsored by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and takes place in the fall with both online and in-person components.
The Wildlife Center also offers on-site, hands-on training opportunities through internships and externships for veterinarians and veterinary technicians, wildlife rehabilitators, and those interested in conservation education and outreach.
Becoming a Wildlife Rehabilitator
To rehabilitate wildlife in Virginia, individuals and organizations must have a permit. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is the agency that issues state wildlife rehabilitation permits; federal permits (for rehabilitating migratory birds) are obtained from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The links above provide details on the permit application process and specific regulations pertaining to wildlife rehabilitation. The conditions also describe the different types of rehabilitation permits that are issued.
The Wildlife Center has resources dedicated to explaining the process of becoming a wildlife rehabilitator in Virginia. Details include various stages in the permitting process, including sponsorship and opportunities for hands-on training and continuing education at the Wildlife Center.