Volunteer Opportunities

Our Vital Volunteers
Volunteers are an essential part of our team and matter in more ways than just giving of their time.
Their dedicated skills, engagement, and passion are what make our wildlife care and educational programs shine.
Volunteers enhance and expand our mission by welcoming and guiding visitors, maintaining a safe and attractive environment at our facility, and serving as ambassadors in the community. 
Our Vision
Cat Tales Wildlife Center Volunteers are vital members of our team working with our students, interns, and paid staff in providing a safe forever home for retired or non-releasable exotic animals and wildlife.  
  • In the years ahead we anticipate a continued need for lifetime care and housing of non-releasable exotic and wild animals, as well as demand for our unique hands-on training and education that our facility provides.  ​
Our Mission
The mission of the Cat Tales Wildlife Center is to Provide:
  • A safe and secure home for rescued big cats and wildlife,
  • Professional animal care to ensure their health and well-being, and
  • Public education to the benefit of all wildlife.
Our Guiding Values
Compassion:
  • Above all else, we will be respectful and responsive to the needs of the animals and care for them them in a safe and respectful manner.
  • We value our team and the hard work they put in, and we provide a safe environment for our guests and staff.
  • We honor guests and strive to make their experience near the animals meaningful to inspire their compassion and understanding for the animals here and in the wild.
Resourcefulness:
  • We bring our full resources to provide the best housing and care for the animals here.
  • We are committed to providing quality, educational guest experience in the most cost-effective and engaging manner.
  • We will be well managed, sustainable and a good steward of resources.
  • We will ensure we have the expertise to be effective and are committed to learning and growing.
Community-Centered:
  • We believe in being culturally competent and understanding the needs of the diverse cultures and ethnicities we serve.
  • We are community supported and the neighbors in our region and through our social media supporters we will work together to raise resources and awareness to meet the needs of our animals’ life-long care and continue to develop our guest’s experience.
  • We honor and appreciate the contributions of our donors and volunteers.
About Us
  • Cat Tales Wildlife Center was founded in 1990 and became a Washington 501(c)3 non-profit in 1991.  Since then, we have provided a second chance forever home for hundreds of exotic animals and non-releasable wildlife.  Many of our animals were once a pet and then became a burden, were “misfits” or in need of medical care, are non-releasable, orphaned, or habituated wildlife in need of a safe and secure forever home. 
  • We are a small facility with a big responsibility. We house, feed and care for over 30 carnivores, and we provide a quality life for the animals in our care.  We receive no local, state or federal funding, —we survive thanks to the donations of time and money from community members and supporters— so guest experience and positive donor interactions are vital to our continued success.  The services provided by Cat Tales Wildlife Center are unique to this region, filling an educational need for humans training for careers and for guests just wanting to learn more about these animals. 
  • Despite setbacks in income and staffing due to Covid, in the past five years we have taken in 27 animals needing a forever home, and graduated 14 full time students, and provided hands on internship experience for over 25 college students in fields of wildlife biology, veterinary, conservation and beyond through our unique program. Over our 30 year history each of those figures add up to hundreds of animals rescued, thousands of community members educated and inspired, countless amazing staff who have moved on to work at and manage some of the best zoos and animal sanctuaries around the country and the world. 
  • As a training school for future zookeepers and animal care professionals our daily animal care tasks are managed primarily by our staff, students, and interns.  Volunteers help us manage our guest experience working in tandem with our animal care team.  Volunteers play a major role as in face-to-face interactions with our guests and donors.  **Some volunteers work with our animal care staff providing the daily cleaning and care for the animals who live here, provided they meet the time/schedule commitments.
  • Cat Tales Wildlife Center is open all year, Tuesdays thru Sunday from 10:00am – 4:00/5:00 pm (depending on time of year) and is located just a few minutes north of Spokane, Washington on Hwy 2.
  • Our facility is equipped with with wheelchair accessible pathways, restrooms, and Gift Shop Nature Museum.  Discounts are available for members of our community ensure visiting Cat Tales to see and learn about these amazing animals is available to all, including a free admission day for the elderly and always free admission for disabled. Cat Tales Wildlife Center educates thousands of school-age children annually as well as large and small group tours and public interactions with our team. ​
Current Volunteer Positions Available
Guest Services - Ticket Booth / Gift Shop / Tour Guide
Guest Services - Ticket Booth / Gift Shop/ Tour Guide 
Tuesdays thru Sundays – 1 day per week minimum - 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (4:00 pm winter hours)
 
In this position you interact with guests to welcome and answer questions, educate about animals and our Mission, answer phone calls, operate POS for ticket, membership, and Gift Shop sales.  Re-stocking of merchandise in Gift Shop, cleaning of surfaces, keeping grounds picked up and looking presentable, and restocking forms as needed are regular tasks for these positions.  We use a computerized system for our POS. Basic operations familiarity takes about 15 minutes to learn, but this position requires accuracy, speed, and friendliness.  Tour Guide duties include answering questions and interacting with guests outside on grounds where the animals can be seen and prompt questions from our guests.  Tour text will be provided to learn, and we welcome our volunteers to bring provided Tour text information outside as they perform this role until the learn it by memory.  Some Tour Guide volunteers may be trained to run our animal feeding adventures with guests.
 
Ideally, we would love to have a pool of regular volunteers who can return often to fill this role. You will work directly with guests, so a pleasant and personable disposition is a great asset.  This is not a physically demanding role but may require some lifting, sitting, standing, cleaning, and for Tour Guide role the ability to be outdoors in various seasons and weather.
Animal Care & Husbandry
Animal Care - Must be 18 years of age or older
Tuesdays thru Sundays – 2 days per week minimum - 7:30 am to 1:30 pm, or all day.
 
In this position you work alongside our animal care staff, interns and students working in closer proximity to the animals.  As such, strict adherence to safety precautions and following direction from KIC are a must and violating such may result in immediate termination.  *These are carnivores, and a lapse in focus, safety or following instructions could result in injury or death for humans and/or animals.  Work includes cleaning and maintenance of animal housing exhibit spaces and nearby grounds, food preparation for animals’ meals, and accurate and timely record keeping each day.  This can be physically arduous work and you must be able to lift 50 pounds, stand or be on your feet for long periods of time, and work outdoors in all types/seasons of weather.  As an Animal Care Volunteer, you have slightly less public interaction, and this job tends to be more physically demanding.
Animal Diet/Food Preparation
Animal Diet/Food Preparation - Must be 18 years of age or older
Tuesdays thru Sundays – 2 days per week minimum - 7:30 am to 1:30 pm, or all day.

In this position you work alongside our animal care staff, interns and students working in the diet/food preparation kitchen.  As such, strict adherence to food safety precautions and sharp knife handling are a must and violating such may result in immediate termination.  *Incorrect food, knife, & prep tool handling and a lapse in focus, safety or following instructions could result in injury or death for humans and/or animals.  Work includes cleaning and sanitation of the diet/food preparation kitchen, food preparation for animals’ meals including working with raw meats & making accurate measurements, dishwashing, laundry, floor mopping, and accurate and timely record keeping each day.  This can be physically arduous work and you must be able to lift 40 pounds, stand or be on your feet for long periods of time, and be able to squat and lift heavy food containers correctly. This is an indoor position except for trash removal as needed.  As an Animal Diet/Food Preparation Volunteer, you have slightly less public interaction, and this job tends to be more physically demanding.
Administrative
​Administrative 
Tuesdays thru Sundays – 1 day per week minimum - 8:30-12:30, 11:30-3:30, or all day
 
While much of our work at this facility is outdoors with the animals, there is a large administrative load managing animal adoptions and sponsorships, memberships and renewals, answering and returning calls, scheduling tours and events, inputting data into donor database, and other administrative tasks.  This position does not work directly with guests in person but includes phone and email/mail interactions.  This is not a physically demanding job and is suitable for those with limited mobility provided they can perform the tasks of the job.  This is a key role, as these records helps with all of our reports and analytic information needed to pursue grants and support funding.
Social Media
​Social Media
Flexible days and hours – 1 post per social media platform/week minimum – hours vary depending on content and events being posted and/or promoted.
 
We utilize social media to expand knowledge of who we are and the work we do for the animals.  It is a great fundraising tool and encourages guest attendance for special events/attractions.  All posts must be approved prior to posting, to ensure content is in keeping with our Mission, operations, and information suitable for the general public.  Social Media volunteers may have opportunities to take photos and videos of the animals from staff side of our barrier fence, after training and when following protocols for doing so, in order to gather visual assets for our social media.  All photos and videos will be saved to facility drive for current and/or future use by Cat Tales Wildlife Center.  Current Social Media platforms utilized by Cat Tales Wildlife Center include Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Twitter so applications should be familiar posting rules, process, and related details for those platforms.
Maintenance & Project Volunteer
​Maintenance & Project Volunteer:
Tuesdays thru Sundays – 1 day per week minimum – 9:00am-1:00pm, 1:00pm-5:00pm, or all day. 
 
There are countless projects and maintenance tasks that we handle at our facility throughout the year.  This position requires flexibility and adaptability to complete tasks and projects as directed by our Operations Manager and/or Upper Management.  When inclimate weather or other unplanned conditions occur all maintenance tasks are directed to managing those conditions to ensure smooth facilities operations for staff and guests alike.  Larger projects may be coordinated in advance to ensure ample number of people to accomplish the project within given timeframe, while smaller and more routine projects and maintenance tasks may be done by individuals with training and skills suitable to the task. 
 
Face to face interactions with guests is minimal in this role, however you may be working “on exhibit” in view of guests at any time.  Experience in chain link fencing, welding, carpentry, masonry, use of small and mid-size handheld and power tools, mowers, trimmers, snow blowers, and other types of equipment and other general maintenance knowledge a plus.
Youth Volunteers
While our insurance and liability does not allow volunteers under the age of 18 to do work directly near or around the animals (cleaning and feeding), we welcome volunteers ages 16 and over to start their volunteer experience with us if you are interested, reliable and especially if you are looking at a career in animal care or related fields.  Youth volunteers will be trained in non-direct animal related duties and tasks (see Volunteer Task Descriptions above).  We welcome parents or guardians of youth volunteers to visit Cat Tales Wildlife Center, speak with our Upper Management and ask questions or share concerns they may have when their child is considering volunteering with us.  We understand and are happy to speak with you. 
Court Ordered Volunteers
We accept court ordered (aka community service) volunteers on a case-by-case basis.  Given the nature of the work we do and all related elements and responsibilities for such, each submission for working at Cat Tales Wildlife Center to fulfill court ordered hours will be reviewed by Upper Management.  If approved, further information or interview prior to volunteering may be required before a determination on volunteer eligibility may be made. 
Volunteer Groups
Volunteer Groups please contact Lisa at cattalesed@gmail.com with inquiries and group information. Lisa has a busy schedule of animal care so anticipate a delay in response. Thanks for your understanding!
Volunteer Application and Acceptance Terms and Conditions
I understand that the information on my volunteer application is subject to check and verification by Cat Tales Wildlife Center, and that my previous and present employers, organizations, and volunteer associations may be asked for information as to my character and record with them. I hereby grant permission to Cat Tales Wildlife Center to contact these employers, organizations, and volunteer associations, and further, I hereby authorize my former and/or present employers, organizations, and volunteer associations to give any information as to my character and employment record with them.

I also grant permission to Cat Tales Wildlife Center to obtain information from and/or copy police and court records in order to conduct a pre-volunteer investigation on me. I hereby release from all liability and damages those individuals, companies, organizations, or agencies who provide information as stated above.

Should I become a volunteer, I agree to comply with all rules and regulations of Cat Tales Wildlife Center. I understand that I am applying for a voluntary position to help Cat Tales Wildlife Center in a non-paid position. I realize that there are many hazards at Cat Tales Wildlife Center that deal with animals, diseases, and other dangerous and unpredictable injuries. I am aware of my own health and physical limitation, which might not be obvious to my supervisor. I realize that it is my responsibility to decline any work that is beyond my capacity (physical or mental), so that my safety and health is maintained.

​I agree to release and hold harmless Cat Tales Wildlife Center from any accident, injury, illness, or damage sustained as a volunteer, while serving in such a capacity. I waive my rights to seek any form of damages and instruct my heirs and beneficiaries to honor this agreement. The parties to this Agreement do hereby mutually recognize that Cat Tales Wildlife Center does not provide Workman’s Compensation or any other type of liability insurance. Accordingly, persons such as volunteers are not covered by Cat Tales Wildlife Center for such forms of insurance.

If placed in an Animal Care Department, the volunteer will be responsible for paying for a TB test at a doctor or facility of his/her choice. For the welfare of the employees and animals, Cat Tales Wildlife Center requires all volunteers working in Animal Care departments to receive a TB test, and have it read negative, in order to volunteer at Cat Tales Wildlife Center in such capacity. If proof of negative TB test is available, current within the last 12 months, please submit proof with application. The volunteer must be current on their Tetanus vaccination; proof must be provided once the applicant is accepted into the Cat Tales Wildlife Center Volunteer Program in the Animal Care Department. All vaccinations are at the volunteer's expense.

I certify that the information given by me in this volunteer application is true and complete. Furthermore, I certify that I have read and understand the above.