Do you have a passion for birds and a love for learning? We’re looking for dedicated volunteers to join our small but mighty team! Bird care is more than just cute pictures—it’s hands-on, messy, and incredibly rewarding work.

( And yes, there will still be plenty of cute bird moments! :P )

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As a volunteer, you’ll play an important role in:

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• Cleaning cages, enclosures, and hospital pens.

• Washing dirty laundry, cleaning food dishes, and water bowls.

• Preparing food, from chopping fruit and veg salads to mixing slurries and collecting insects from our onsite farms.

• Creating enrichment items and perches keeps our birds mentally stimulated and engaged during recovery.

• Assisting with light gardening tasks to help maintain the centre’s permanent residents’ areas.

• Maintaining insect farms (mealworms, crickets, and soon flightless fruit flies and soldier fly larvae).

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We also care for several permanent residents, including 5 blind ducks, flightless pigeons, and a few chickens, so there’s always something interesting to do!

 

​Learning Opportunities:

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In addition to the daily care, our program provides hands-on experience in bird rehabilitation, where you'll learn to:

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• Look after, feed, medicate, and foster fledglings.

• Intake of new patients: communicating and responding to rescue requests.

• Perform intake assessments, including weighing birds and preparing vet reports.

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With support from our fantastic partners at Avian Empire who provide all our medical and physical treatment plans, so you’ll also have the chance to learn from experienced avian vets and rehabilitators to gain practical knowledge in the rehabilitation process.​

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Volunteer Shifts:

We’re starting with two volunteers to share morning shifts, running from 8 AM to 2 PM with a 30-minute break. As you grow more confident, you can take shifts solo. We're located a short bus ride from Petone station.​

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Flexible Volunteer Roles:

If your schedule doesn’t align with morning shifts, we’re also looking for help picking up produce, hay, and large feed orders and collecting donated linens from op shops. These vital tasks are flexible and can be arranged to suit your availability.

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It's a commitment, but you can make a real difference for our feathered friends. We'd love to hear from you if you’re ready to get creative, roll up your sleeves, and help save birds :)