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.
Important Volunteer Information
This page contains important information for anyone who is considering volunteering at Northern Lights wildlife. There are a few different options for volunteering. Read the information below to find the right match for you. Volutneering for NLWs contributes to conservation efforts while providing you with opportunities to make a real difference in wildlife rewilding efforts.
Only Fulltime Positions for 3-12 months, includes animal care.
Onsite Options
Every day we accumulate a huge number of containers that require cleaning, assistance with this task frees up the animal care takers to provide enrichment to a the animals in care.
Garden & Yard:
We try to keep everything around us well cared for and pleasing to look at. Every year we plant flowers that require tending (watering/weeding) and we also struggle to keep the grass mowed around buildings.
Mail Order:
Auction Items, Calendar Orders etc. need to be mailed. We are looking for dedicated Volunteers to help with the timely delivery of items Includes packaging and mailing. Locations Prince George (for auction in the fall) & Smithers.
Offsite Transport
As we work province wide transport (especially on weekends and holidays can be daunting) If you have time and a reliable vehicle please consider signing up as a transport volunteer.
Fundraising & Design
We also need knowledgable people to help maintain and operate our fundraising efforts.
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.
