Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition, Inc.

The volume and nature of Shelter duties will change with the seasons. 

During the spring and summer months, TWRC will experience high levels of animal admissions due to the number of baby birds and mammals that become ill, orphaned or injured.  During the late fall and winter, admissions decline dramatically, and those animals that we get are more often ill or injured adult or immature young.  Although duties will be lighter during the slow season, the shelter must still operate smoothly to accommodate the small numbers that do arrive.  This is the time of year when we are able to accomplish special projects and catch-up work after the busy summer season.

There is always a designated Shift Leader to oversee the general operation of the Shelter during each shift.  This person might be a volunteer or a TWRC employee.  They have been state and/or federally permitted as a wildlife rehabilitator and have received special training as a Shift Leader.

Vet room staff are responsible for the physical examination of all animals admitted during the shift which includes diagnosis, stabilization procedures, administration of medications when needed, and decisions regarding humane euthanasia.

During each shelter shift, trained volunteers:

1. Assist with the admission of ill, injured and orphaned animals

2. Handle emergency and general assistance calls from the public

3. Are responsible for the care of the Education animals living at the shelter

4. Are responsible for the general maintenance of the shelter

5. Might work on administrative tasks

During each day, animals are picked up by permitted rehabilitators and taken to their homes for care.  Those animals that recover sufficiently to be released are then returned to the wild.