Gain a deeper understanding of the marine mammals cared for at the hospital, why they are here, and what it is like to care for them. Animal care volunteers provide the daily care of the animals, which includes general cleaning, laundry, dishes, equipment maintenance, weighing, charting records, and preparing food for feeding. Youth volunteers (under 18) are not allowed to have contact with the animals or go in the pens with the animals but learn through observation. Requires a commitment of one 4 to 8 hour shift per week for a minimum of 8 contiguous weeks.

Youth Animal Care Volunteer

Frequently Asked Questions about Youth Volunteering:

What will I be doing when I work at the hospital?

• You will be participating in a number of different tasks ranging from but not limited to, food preparation (thawing and sorting fish), making fish milkshakes, weighing out fish for feeds, washing dishes, cleaning pens, observing feeds, cleaning carriers, helping to weigh animal, and washing and folding laundry. These are some of the daily tasks that need to be completed at the hospital. However, new and exciting things happen at the hospital all the time, and you might be able to be a part of them as well.

What is the application process like?

• Once you have filled out the application and waiver (you can find the link below the FAQ’s) you will send it to the Youth Programs Coordinator (the name and address is on the application). Don’t forget the 250 word essay and the teacher recommendation. Once the application is received by the Youth Programs Coordinator they will contact you and let you know about up-coming Youth Introductions (there are different from adult introductions).
• You will have to attend a Youth Introduction; this will give you a better understanding of what it’s like to be a youth volunteer.
• If you are still interested in volunteering after attending a Youth Introduction you will schedule a one on one interview with the Youth Programs Coordinator.
• It is after the one on one interview that you will be notified if you are officially accepted into the program.
• If you are accepted into the program you will be scheduled for your last round of training, and then will be assigned to an animal care crew and receive your start date.

Once I am on an animal care crew how often do I need to show up?

• You will need to make a one day a week commitment for a minimum of 8 contiguous weeks.
• If you choose to volunteer with a day crew you will have to show up ay 7:00am and will be expected to say through 3:00pm (or maybe even later during the busy season). If you choose to volunteer with a night crew you will have to show up at 6:30 and will be expected to stay through 9:00pm (you can stay later if you schedule permits it, i.e. you do not have school the next day).
• If you miss shifts without telling both you crew supervisor and the Youth Programs Coordinator you will be asked to leave the program.

Can I volunteer longer than 8 weeks?

• YES, it is highly encouraged. The Marine Mammal Center has youth volunteers that have been with up for 3+ years.

Are there advantages to staying longer than 8 weeks?

• YES, the longer you are a volunteer the better your chances are of having the opportunity to participate in the hands-on care of our rehabilitated animals.
• You will learn more about these advantages during the Youth Introduction.

Will I be able to train animals during my time at The Marine Mammal Center?

• NO, we are a rescue, rehabilitation and release facility; in short we are a hospital for marine mammals. We do not train these animals because our goal is not to keep them in captivity but to release them back out into the wild. We do not talk around the animals, or motion to them to come close to us. We keep them as wild as possible during their stay at our hospital.

Are there rules and restrictions specifically for youth volunteers?

• Yes, you will learn about these at the Youth Introduction.

Does The Marine Mammal Center have a slow season?

• Yes, the fall and winter tend to be our slower months, and the spring, (we refer to it as pupping season) tends to be our busiest time of the year.

Is there a best season to start volunteering?

• Yes and no. Anytime is a good time to start volunteering for a good cause. However, since the fall and winter are our slower months there is not as much to do. That being said, all year long there are things that need to be cleaned and organized. During the Youth Introduction the Youth Programs Coordinator will let you know about timing and crew availability.

Is there a fee for volunteering at The Marine Mammal Center?

• Yes, there is a $50 fee for volunteering at The Marine Mammal Center. This fee covers the cost of training classes and materials. For Youth Volunteers this fee is expected to be paid in full at the time of the second Training class, after the youth has been officially accepted into the program.
  

If you have any more questions please contact the Youth Programs Coordinator:

Adam Ratner
Youth Programs Coordinator
The Marine Mammal Center
Marin Headlands
2000 Bunker Road
Fort Cronkhite
Sausalito, CA 94965
(415) 289-7356
(415) 754-4056-fax
ratnera@tmmc.org