Animal Care

Animal Care Volunteers support our business services and education teams by providing daily animal care for a variety of animals. This work ensures that our animals are well-cared for and ready to support a variety of programs throughout the year, helping to educate the public on the importance of habitat and conservation and connect them to our mission. 

Whether you have previous animal care experience, or just starting out, this opportunity offers ways to learn, build skills, and make a a real difference alongside MetroParks staff. 

Entry-level volunteers are welcome. Skills will be developed over time through required training, shadow experiences, and annual skills check offs. 

About This Position

This opportunity may be a great fit if you enjoy working with animals, don't mind getting your hands dirty, and are able to commit to ongoing regular service. Those who have an interest in farm life, horses, or wildlife may find these opportunities of special interest.  Animal Care Volunteers include individuals ages 14 and up depending on the specific opportunity. 

Animal Care opportunities are offered daily on weekdays and weekends. These are primarily opportunities for long-term volunteers; however, short-term volunteers interested in volunteering seasonally or making a service commitment of at least 25 hours may be eligible.

What to Know Before You Get Started

• Most animal care volunteer opportunities require a background check as part of the onboarding process for volunteers ages 18 and up. New to MetroParks volunteering? Click here to learn more about how to become a volunteer.
• Animal care opportunities require training, shadow experiences, and an annual check off of skills. You will be prompted to start the training process when you respond to the specific opportunity. Training requirements can often be found in the Eligibility section of the opportunity.
• Tools, supplies, and instructions are typically provided, unless noted otherwise. 
• Animal care opportunities take place at  Carriage Hill and Germantown MetroPark. Animal Care Volunteers are also often invited to assist with animal handling at outreach opportunities at a variety of parks and in the community.

Animal Care Volunteers typically support and assist staff with: 

• feeding, watering, and grooming animals
• mucking and cleaning stalls, cages, and lots
• cleaning and polishing tack
• providing general barn and facility care
• interacting with park visitors by answering questions and sharing information about the animals

Get Started

There are two main opportunities for Animal Care Volunteers, depending on what you’re looking for: 

• Barn Aide
• Wildlife Ambassador Animal Care
  

Browse the available Animal Care Volunteer opportunities below and click VIEW DETAILS to learn more. Ready to volunteer? Click RESPOND and complete any required qualifications

Want to Branch Out?

Want to explore other ways to get involved? There are many volunteer opportunities across MetroParks that offer similar experiences, skills, or ways to make an impact. 

• Farm Chores
• Tactile Nature Interpreter

Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks!   

Have questions or need help finding the right fit? 

Reach out to the Volunteer Services team at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or 937-275-7275 and ask to speak with a Volunteer Coordinator. You can also join us at a Volunteer Open House, an in-person opportunity to learn more about volunteering with Five Rivers MetroParks.