Expert: Robin Flynn - 8/16/2009

Question
I just separated from the army after 4 years in and 27 months in Iraq. I have been obsessed with wildlife since i was a young child on the farm. Always having anytype of animal i could. Anyway my question is i want to do something with my time before i start school. Any place far away on the conservation front is what i am looking for. Oh yeah another i don't have any money all i can give is my time and extremely hard work. i want to give back to the wildlife that has given me so much. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Brett

Answer
Hi Brett,

First, let me thank you for your service to this country. I imagine a tour of 23 months must be life changing. I certainly share your love of animals and I also discovered this as a child. I have rescued many animals myself ranging from bats, squirrels, to a Cormorant [large sea bird].  If you are looking to work with wildlife I would contact a wildlife rehabilitator in your area. I am not sure where you live so  I have included a couple of links to get you started. Several of them pertain to careers in rehabilitation but they are a good source to contact for volunteer opportunities.  There are many websites by state as well. You can enter your state/city + wildlife rehabilitator and perhaps find direct website links in your area.

http://conservatorscenter.org/volunteer.html

http://www.nwrawildlife.org/page.asp?ID=30
http://www.paws.org/wildlife/about_rehab/

A-M
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contactA.htm
N-W
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contactN.htm

It is very commendable that you want to contribute to animals in need.

If you need additional help please do not hesitate to contact me.

For the Animals,
Robin