Volunteer Backcountry - Animal Care

SUMMARY

If you love animals and don’t mind a little dirt and adventure, this is the perfect volunteer opportunity for you! Spend time with our friendly horses, donkeys, goats, chickens, and ducks while helping them stay happy and healthy.

As an Animal Care Volunteer, you'll play an important role in keeping our animals' living spaces clean and safe, supporting their enrichment, and helping with the daily rhythm of farm life. Whether you’re mucking, cleaning, or grooming the animals, your efforts make a real difference! No experience? No problem! All you need is a love for animals, a willingness to learn, and a good pair of boots.

VOLUNTEER DESCRIPTION

• Maintain cleanliness of animal living areas and program spaces.
• Assist with general farm upkeep and related tasks as needed.
• Follow safety guidelines and best practices for handling small farm animals of all sizes including horses, donkeys, goats, chickens and ducks.
• Participate in opportunities to groom and interact with animals for their overall health and mental wellbeing as needed.

VOLUNTEERING ENVIRONMENT

This is an outdoor, hands-on role that involves physical tasks such as lifting, carrying, pushing and walking on uneven terrain. Volunteers should be comfortable working in a barnyard environment and assisting with cleaning.

QUALIFICATIONS and SKILLS

• All Animal Care Volunteers must complete our 1.5 hour Volunteer Orientation.
  • If interested in grooming, completion of our 1.5 hour Basic Horsemanship course is also required.
• Willingness to work hands-on with a variety of farm animals.
• Strong communication skills and ability to engage with people of all ages.
• Enthusiasm for animals, the outdoors and farm life.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Capable of lifting at least 30lbs.

DAYS & TIMES

We ask volunteers to commit to at least one shift per month during our primary season (March to October).

Horse Corral Opportunities

• Summer Shifts: Weekend Days and Weekday Mornings
• Fall & Spring Shifts: Weekend Days only

Base Camp Animal Opportunities

• Monday – Saturday Mornings (8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.)

This role takes place at both our Horse Corrals and Base Camp at the Backcountry Outdoor Center, giving you a chance to experience different parts of our property while caring for our animals!

QUALIFICATIONS and SKILLS

• All Animal Care Volunteers must complete our 1.5 hour Volunteer Orientation.
  • If interested in grooming, completion of our 1.5 hour Basic Horsemanship course is also required.
• Willingness to work hands-on with a variety of farm animals.
• Strong communication skills and ability to engage with people of all ages.
• Enthusiasm for animals, the outdoors and farm life.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Capable of lifting at least 30lbs.

DAYS & TIMES

We ask volunteers to commit to at least one shift per month during our primary season (March to October).

Horse Corral Opportunities

• Summer Shifts: Weekend Days and Weekday Mornings
• Fall & Spring Shifts: Weekend Days only

Base Camp Animal Opportunities

• Monday – Saturday Mornings (8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.)

This role takes place at both our Horse Corrals and Base Camp at the Backcountry Outdoor Center, giving you a chance to experience different parts of our property while caring for our animals!