Volunteering with CIMWI
CIMWI volunteers are passionate about our organization. Here are their stories about why they volunteer and how you can help support their passion for CIMWI and the work our organization does to help stranded marine mammals. A special thank you to Jody of Liquid Blue Media for capturing this passion on film.
How can you Volunteer?
CIMWI depends on its team of trained and experienced volunteers to carry out the wide range of duties associated with CIMWI’s operations. There are many ways to get involved!
- Animal Assessment and Field Data Collection
- Rescue Efforts and Animal Transport
- Rehabilitation Shifts
- Education Program Development and Delivery
- Facilities Maintenance and Construction
- Fundraising Efforts
- Grant Writing
- Administrative Tasks
- Special Projects
CIMWI has a constant need for dedicated people from Santa Barbara and Ventura counties to help respond to reports of stranded marine mammals (Hotline Response) and caring for animals in rehabilitation with CIMWI (Rehabilitation Shifts).
Hotline Response :
Hotline Response Volunteers respond to reports of marine mammals in distress, make visual assessments about the condition of the animals, work together to rescue animals when appropriate, transport animals to CIMWI’s rehabilitation facility and educate the public about marine mammals and why they strand. CIMWI responds to reports of sick, injured, malnourished, orphaned, entangled and oiled marine mammals in Santa Barbara County and Ventura County.
Rehabilitation Shifts :
Rehabilitation Shift Volunteers provide daily medical and supportive care for our patients which includes patient observation and assessment, following treatment plans, diet preparation, administering medication, assisting with veterinary procedures and cleaning animal holding and treatment facilities. CIMWI’s rehabilitation facility is in Gaviota (Santa Barbara County).
Volunteering with CIMWI offers individuals a unique opportunity to help seals, sea lions, sea turtles, dolphins and whales as well as positively impact our marine environment. CIMWI provides education and training. Volunteers must be 18 years old and commit to 1 consistent full-day each week.
If you are interested in volunteering with CIMWI, click here (.pdf) to complete CIMWI’s volunteer application. Please email your completed application to info@cimwi.org or fax it to (805) 963-9684.