Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre

What services does your organization provide?
KTTC provides free medical and rehabilitative care to native species of turtles as well as an extensive outreach/education program that focuses on many different target audiences in the community, such as motorists, cottagers, campers, school classes, first nations communities, boaters, etc.

Do you have any age requirements?
We have various volunteers programs at KTTC. To participate in the ongoing care of the turtles in the hospital portion of the centre you do have to be at least 18, but we often have younger volunteers taking part in our education programming.

Do you require language proficiency other than in English?
Any other language is always helpful, but not necessary

What time commitment(s) are you expecting from a volunteer?
Commitment requirement depends on the specific volunteer program. Turtle Care volunteers are required to do one 2-3 hour shift per week, Turtle Education volunteers participate in various events, and Turtle Taxi volunteers are on call for when a call comes in regarding an injured turtle in their area and is random.

Are there any other requirements for being a volunteer?
Turtle Taxi volunteers are required to have access to a car and a valid drivers license, Turtle care volunteers must be able to climb a large set of stairs to access the hospital portion of the current building.

Are there any specific skills and experience required?
All training will be provided

What type of volunteer positions are typically available?

• Turtle care volunteers care for the injured turtles and new turtle hatchlings that are at the hospital
• Turtle Taxi Volunteers assist with the transport of turtles both to the centre and for eventual release back into their natural habitat
• Turtle Education/Outreach volunteers help us educate the public through volunteering at our new "Turtle Education Centre" in the Village of Keene, or attending shows, events, etc.

Is there any training provided for volunteers?
All new volunteers must attend a 2 hour Volunteer Orientation before starting to train. Turtle care volunteers work three full shifts with a senior volunteer and must complete a basic skills test to work independently.

What are the typical volunteer activities occurring at your organization?
Turtle Care volunteers help with the cleaning and ongoing care of the turtles, monitoring eggs and hatchlings in the nursery, basic cleaning of hospital. Turtle taxi volunteers help with the transport of injured turtles, Education volunteers help spread the word of the plight of Ontario turtle through various outreach events and/or onsite at the education centre.

How will a person benefit from volunteering with Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre?
Our volunteers benefit from volunteering with us by becoming part of an amazing team! We work hard to include our volunteers in every aspect of our work. Working with Species are Risk is extremely rewarding when you can watch and experience their healing and even take part in their recovery and subsequent release! Our outreach volunteers become turtle ambassadors and are able to speak to the community and help turn the tide for our turtles that are facing the very real risk of extinction.

Do you accept high school students?
While we do accept high school students into our volunteer programs such as education and outreach, volunteers taking part in the Turtle Care program must be 18 years of age.