Raptor Rehab USA

• Placement
  
  Raptor Rehab USA
• Airport Pickup
  
  
  We will be waiting for you at the airport and transfer you to your accommodation near to the volunteer project. On your day of departure you will be picked up from your homestay and transferred to the airport.
• Accommodation
  
  Homestay near the volunteer project. Your homestay family will give you the easy directions to the volunteer.
• Meals
  
  Breakfast is included everyday of the week as well as 5 dinners per week are included
• Ongoing service
  
  If there are any problems with your volunteer project we are always there to help you and mediate between yourself and the organization.
• Tours
  
  Through FRONTEERING you have the possibility to book tours in the USA after you have finished your volunteer project.
• 24/7 Emergency contact
  
  If there are any problems during you stay in the USA you can reach us 24/7 to assist you.

The project has a few paid staff and many volunteers who are involved in every aspect of husbandry and care.  Trained volunteers (assist with clinic care, but all volunteers are involved in assisting with medical procedures, as well as cleaning and feeding of the birds in the clinic.  Volunteers are also responsible for the cleaning and feeding of the resident birds and other animals, starting with ‘rounds’ at the beginning of every shift to make sure each bird is safe, looks healthy, is perched in its usual places for that time of the day, has eaten, has clean bathing water, etc.  Getting to know the birds and their habits quickly is essential.  Learning how to ‘be’ in the cages with the birds, reading their body language, understanding their individual personalities, histories, needs is also important – and very rewarding.  Volunteers are also involved in maintaining the facility, inside and out, greeting visitors, helping to staff off-site booths, or assisting at on-site events.  Some of your main responsibilties:

• Feed and care for orphaned, sick, and injured wildlife, primarily birds of prey (raptors).
• Build and maintain animal enclosures
• Assist with capture and release
• Educate the public

Animal care volunteers are at the center from 8:00 am til 8:00 pm, in three shifts each day (8:00-12:00, 12:00-4:00, 4:00-8:00), seven days a week.  Each shift has slightly varying responsibilities – but the morning shift generally assists in the clinic, weighs babies or birds that have been on live prey before release, feeds rehabilitation birds, cleans chicken brooders and checks mouse cages, and cleans outside aviaries.  Afternoon shift cleans more aviaries, organizes food for handlers and feeds those diurnal resident birds that are not in training, and any rehabilitation birds that have an afternoon schedule.  Evening shift waters gardens or runs perimeter sprinklers (during the summer, fire months), cleans mouse cages and chicken brooders, feeds resident owls that are not in training, feeds rehabilitation owls, assists in the clinic (many medications are given twice a day), cleans hospital cages, gets food ready for the next day, cleans the clinic.

• Dedication to the work, purpose, mission, and philoso¬phy of the organization
• Willingness and ability to keep your commitments; to be focused and paying attention to the birds at all times; to use common sense and thinking ability; to demonstrate initiative and yet be willing to ask questions when appropriate; to work independently, with minimal supervision or direction; to demonstrate good decision-making skills; to put the birds first; to learn each resident bird, with their names, species, personal history, disability, and at least their general natural history;
• Commitment to the principles of honest and direct communica¬tion including; a willingness to make every effort to avoid third-party talk¬ (talking about a person not present, espe¬cially in a complaining or derogatory manner), a willing¬ness to share opinions and feelings, including negative feelings or con¬cerns, honestly and completely in an open, direct, non-accusatory, and non-judgmen¬tal fashion, including both the giving and receiving of such, a willingness to hold foremost at all times the goals of CRC, putting them above personal ego or emotion and a willingness to express and hear the word "no" without judgment.
• NO SMOKING is allowed on the property outside of a vehicle during fire season.  Otherwise, smoking is permitted only in designated areas, outside of the view of the public.  Butts must be picked up and disposed of immediately.
• Strong work ethics are required: reliable, responsible, honest, good sense of humour, dependable, physically and mentally fit.
• No animal allergies  
• Age: 18 and older
• Must have tetanus vaccination and health insurance
• Must love animals and have good communication skills with people

• The opportunity to work with wild birds and learn the many aspects involved.
• The opportunity to work with a great team of staff and other volunteers
• The opportunity to explore the beautiful forest and, mountains and beaches of the state of Oregon

• Project location
  
  Oregon, USA
• Area Famous For
  
  Beautiful Cities, Vibrant Agricultural Industry, Best place for hunting, fishing, camping and any outdoor recreation, friendly people, Crater Lake, Silver Falls State Park
• When to visit
  
  All year roud!
• Wildlife viewing
  
  Great opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife such as; eagles, Raptors, Coyotes, Wolves, Foxes, Bears, hawks, and so much more!

Day 1 - Arrive in Oregon;
You will arrive in the beautiful state of Oregon where you will be met at the airport and transferred to your homestay accommodation near the project.
or 8-12 weeks - Help, rescue and rehabilitate orphaned and injured Birds of Prey!
For the coming 8-12 weeks you will have a great time working directly with many different kind of animals while you will be nearby beautiful mountain ranges, forests and beaches of Oregon!
Your last day - you will transfer back to the airport to take a flight back home. Of course it is possible to extend your stay in and travel around; we can help you with trips and/or accommodation you would like to arrange. 

Your Homestay accommodation will be arranged by INTERNeX near the volunteer project reachable by public transportation and a short walk. You will live with a American family and includes your own bedroom, laundry facility in the house, internet, cable tv and most meals are included. Of course you can also make use of the living room, kitchen and washroom. It’s a great way to get to know the real Oregon life and improve your English. The homestay expects that you will keep your own rooms clean and tidy. Also you will have to help out with the meal preparation if time allows it as well as you will have to help with the cleaning of the dishes.  Remember you are not just a guest but also part of the family!

Things to bring from home

• Clothes for cold temperatures as well as for summer for warm temperatures. Make these clothes are allowed to get dirty. Make sure to bring gloves, a toque and warm socks with you.
• Comfortable walking shoes are essential, and you should also pack a raincoat and some sun block
• Linen and towels will be provided.

Meals

A Healthy breakfast is included everyday of the week as well as 5 dinners per week. Lunch not included and 2 dinners a week not included.

Location

The project is located in a university town of about 150,000 people committed both to the arts and the outdoors.  Lots of summer activities are available, from outdoor concerts to festivals; great bicycling and hiking.  The town is about an hour from the Cascade Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, at the southern end of the Willamette Valley.  Oregon is a beautiful state, with an overwhelming diversity of natural habitats from the high desert of central and eastern Oregon, to the temperate rain forests of the Coast Range.