Volunteering
Volunteering for NLWS offers an opportunity to contribute to conservation efforts, and provides a rewarding opportunity to make a difference in animal welfare.
This place runs on volunteers
A small permanent team, animals arriving from across BC, and a lot of people who give what time they have.
Full-time animal care
Live on site and work alongside our keepers. Feeding, enclosure cleaning, enrichment, and intake support for bears, moose, and deer.
- 3–12 months
- On site, Smithers
- 18+, animal experience preferred
Casual on site
Dishes, laundry, yard and garden work, packing mail orders. Unglamorous, and it frees our keepers to focus on the animals.
- A few hours, flexible
- Smithers
- No experience needed
Transport
Drive animals to us or to a release site. We work province-wide, and weekends and holidays are our hardest shifts to fill.
- On call, as needed
- Anywhere in BC
- Licence and own vehicle
Open House
Our one public day of the year. Greeting visitors, parking, food, set-up and take-down. A good first taste of the shelter.
- One day, summer
- Smithers
- All ages welcome
Design & fundraising
Event posters, social graphics, and help running campaigns and the fall auction. You never have to leave your desk.
- Flexible, project based
- Remote
- Design or events skills
Before you apply
Mostly relevant to the full-time role. We would rather you know now than find out in week two.
Visa
You arrange your own permit. We provide a letter of invitation once accepted.
Housing
On-site housing, shared. Confirm cost and what is included.
When to apply
Spring intake is busiest. Apply several months ahead.
Physical demands
Outdoors in all weather, heavy lifting, early starts, seven-day weeks in season.
Course credit
We work with universities and can sign off placement paperwork.
This is not a petting job
We keep animals wild. Contact is kept to the minimum needed.
What happens after you apply
No black box. Here's every step between the form and your first day.
01
Apply
Fill in the form for your role. Ten minutes.
02
We get in touch
A short conversation about fit, timing, and expectations.
03
We check references
For on-site roles. We check them properly.
04
Start
Orientation on day one, then you are on the team.
Your Donations Save Lives!
Your donation saves Lives Donating to Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter saves wildlife by providing crucial resources for their care, such as food, shelter, and medical treatment. The shelter rescues and re-wilds injured or orphaned wildlife, giving them a second chance at life. Your donation can directly contribute to the well-being and survival of these vulnerable species.
