Volunteering

Volunteer Positions

Join our mission in helping to facilitate a better future for herps of WI

Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome neglected and unwanted reptiles and amphibians in need. We believe that every animal who comes through our doors deserves respect, compassion, and quality care. We assess each animal’s needs and provide individualized support, whether that means medical treatment, hands on interactions, or simply the time and space to heal. From there, we work with our community by educating adopters on proper care and husbandry, as well as raising awareness to the wider community about the impact that our actions have on the ecosystem. We believe these amazing animals are not just novelty pets, but important parts of our community that should be respected and protected.

WE NEED
YOUR HELP

We can’t achieve our mission alone! Herp Habitat is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and we rely on TWO things from our community to allow us to continue the work we do. (1) Is DONATIONS, we can’t do what we do without funding. And (2) Volunteers! We are always looking for excited and ambitious volunteers who are looking to join our mission. We have a variety of roles to fill, if you think you would like to join us, reach out!

Volunteer Opportunities:

Grant + Fundraising Coordinator

— Operational volunteer

Requirements:

  • Experience with grants OR nonprofit fundraising
  • Some experience with reptiles or animal rescue 

We are looking for a qualified individual with experience either writing grants, applying for grants, OR someone who is knowledgeable in effective fundraising. In rescue, funding tends to be our biggest limitation. Securing funding means that our animals have the promise of a brighter future and we can confidently rescue more animals in need.

Herpetology Educator

— Operational volunteer

Requirements:

  • Some degree of experience or education with zoology, herpetology, or conservation
  • Interest in talking at events, educating the public, and creating educational programs

We are looking for an individual passionate about educating the public on reptiles, herpetology, and conservation. Do you enjoy creating graphics, putting together information, speaking to the public at events, and sharing knowledge about a topic you’re passionate about? Then this role may be for you! A zoology related education is a huge plus, but not necessarily required if the individual is good with research or has prior experience as an educator.

Bearded Dragon Foster Lead

— Foster volunteer

Requirements:

  • Lots of bearded dragon experience
  • Good communicator
  • Ability to foster multiple bearded dragons

We are looking for someone who LOVES bearded dragons help take lead in the care of our bearded dragons! What does this mean? We want a beardie expert to help assist less experienced beardie fosters, educate new bearded dragon adopters, and be a foster home for multiple dragons. Bearded dragons are by far our most common surrender. If you think you may be the person for this job, we’d love to hear from you!

Tortoise Foster

— Foster volunteer

Requirements:

  • Knowledgeable about tortoises
  • Ability to foster multiple tortoises
  • Plenty of space and the ability to house foster tortoises seperately

We are looking for a passionate tortoise keeper that would be interest in giving a home to multiple rescues. Tortoises are large and tend to benefit from lots of space that we just do not have. That’s where you come in! If you are interested in housing and caring for tortoises and have the space it, we’d love to hear from you. We do require you to be knowledgeable on care requirements of different tortoise species, and be able to provide them separate enclosures with individualized, species appropriate diets.

Long Term Leopard Gecko Foster

— Foster volunteer

Requirements:

  • Knowledgeable about leopard geckos
  • Willing to foster long term
  • OPTIONAL: Willing to work with special needs

Love leos? Consider fostering! Leopard geckos are one of the most common surrenders, and they are surrendered in by far the worst condition. To add to this, they are also the LEAST adopted species. All of this goes back to the misconception that they are kids’ pets. We now have many long term residents that would benefit from more individualized foster care. This would also help clear out space for other species on our waitlist that get adopted more quickly. So it’s a win-win! Fostering multiple leos would be a huge plus, and we have a few geckos with a little trickier care requirements that would absolutely benefit from foster care. Intersted? Reach out!

Aquatic Turtle Lead Foster

— Foster volunteer

Requirements:

  • Knowledgeable about aquatic turtles
  • Willing to foster long term
  • Space and equipment to foster aquatic turtles

If you are passionate about aquatic turtles and would like to take on the role of being our sole home for rescued turtles, please reach out! Turtles are the MOST requested to surrender, however due to their space and equipment needs, we simply cannot afford to accept them. If you feel you have the space, equipment, and the drive to lead the effort in Herp Habitat aquatic turtle care, we would absolutely love to hear from you.

Interested in volunteering with our organization but you don’t see a role that fits you? Fill out a volunteer application anyways or email us at info@herphabitat.org. We are always looking to grow and add more people to our mission. We can’t wait to hear from you!