Donate
Wish List

VOLUNTEER POSITIONS

We appreciate hard-working volunteers who enjoy contributing to the Zoo's many projects. 

• Zookeeper Aide (Must be 16 years or older, spaces limited.)  ALL POSITIONS ARE CURRENTLY FULL.
  Assist Zookeepers.  Applicant should enjoy caring for animals and participating in tasks necessary to provide a safe, healthy environment for animals.  Applicants should be aware that the Zookeeper Aide position is labor intensive and work consists of raking and hosing grounds, maintenence and repair work, and heavy lifting (up to 50lb), and is primarily outside in all weather conditions.  You also will be preparing diets, enrichment items and working alongside some extraordinary animals!
• At least 16 years of age
• Proof of current tetanus vaccine AND a copy of a TB skin test showing a negative response, performed within the last 6 months.
• Work a minimum of 16 hours a month AND over a period of at least ONE semester (please be able to make this commitment.)
• Pass background security check
• Complete Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary Volunteer Application
• Provide a resume, letter of intent, and letter of reccommendation.  These items can be bought to orientation/interview or submitted afterwards, but must be provided before a placement is considered.
  
  Still interested?  Then your first step is complete the Volunteer Application form and submit it by mail, or in person via the ticket booth.  We will hold 4 interview/orientation appointments a year.  The next orientation will be  SEPTEMBER 2010.  Dates and times will be emailed to successful applicants.  Because spaces are limited please be aware that you may not be selected for interview/orientation but your application will be kept on file for the next available quarterly appointment should you still be interested.  After orientation, should you be successful, you will be given a 16 hour probation period (split over a period of one month) to see if the program works for both parties.  A fee is due before you begin volunteering of $40 to help offset the cost of uniform, name tag, work manual and further training. 
• 
  Click here for an application form.  (Use this form for ALL volunteer positions too.) Print out, complete all sections, and mail to: Kaye Banyard, Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary, 403, Stafford Street, Folsom, CA 95630. Please note that it may take up to one month before you are contacted.  Email is the preferred method of contact email Kaye Banyard No calls please.

• WORK GROUP PARTY - Date to be decided - September 2010  Individuals and Company work groups- Come along to the zoo and help with projects!  Snacks and refreshments provided.  Projects include: adding dirt to exhibits, staining the hand rails around the zoo, assembling caging, pruning and weeding areas in the zoo, painting and much more!  Please contact Kaye so your name can be added to the list.  kbanyard@folsom.ca.us 

• Company Work Groups
• If your company would like to fulfill some community service hours, we can arrange, by appointment, a work day for your business.  Projects may weeding an exhibit, planting trees and shrubs throughout the zoo, helping move and tidy equipment, raking and hosing grounds, staining fences and gates, painting out buildings, and a wealth of other jobs that will keep your group busy for as long as you want!  Work days can be from just a few hours to scheduled full days, and we can normally work within your time frame and other commitments. 
• Matching Gifts - Double your impact by applying for a matching gift through your employers matching gift program.
• Please contact Kaye Banyard for more information via email at kbanyard@folsom.ca.us
  
• Horticultural Volunteer - spaces limited.
• Work with other volunteers to help maintain and beautify the zoo's gardens.  Schedules can be flexible,  but we do require a commitment of 8 hours/month.  Please contact Kaye Banyard for more information via email at kbanyard@folsom.ca.us or fill out an application form and mark it Horticultural Volunteer.

• Grounds Keeper Volunteer - spaces limited.
  I fyou like to keep things tidy and clean and enjoy working outside around wildlife then this is the volunteer position for you!  The Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary needs reliable volunteers to work from 8am - 10am (7am - 9am summer hours) any day of the week/weekend hosing and raking the public grounds throughout the zoo.  Please let us know if you are interested and your availability.    Contact Kaye Banyard or fill out an application form and mark it Grounds Keeper Volunteer.

• Docent
  Applicant should enjoy interaction with the public and learning about the animals living at the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary. You will receive training from Zoo Staff to assist with educating the public in the form of zoo tours.  You will also have the option to participate in outreach presentations, classes and events, and serve as Helpful Answer Person on busy days.
• At least 18 years of age
• Have an active interest in animals and people
• Complete docent training course
• Pass background security check
• Interview with Zoo Education Staff

  Complete Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary Volunteer Application

  Docent training occurs at scheduled times throughout the year, Click here to view next classes.  Contact Jocelyn Smeltzer for more information.
  

• Enrichment Volunteer (Any age may apply.)

  

  The Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary provides every animal with some form of enrichment each day.  As a Enrichment Volunteer, you will be an important part of our program. Enrichment Volunteers prepare enrichment items at home for the keepers to give to the animals.  (You may come and observe your item being given to the animals - advance notice required.)  Enrichment Volunteers create safe, interesting, fun ways to enrich zoo animals' lives.  Visit enrichmentonline.org for a good resource link.  Please contact Jill Lute for more information and visit this link - Enrichment.  Click here for enrichment recipes.

• ROP Students - (Regional Occupational Program.)  Spaces are limited.  This program is full until fall 2010.
  Work at the zoo to fulfill your ROP requirements.  Please contact Kaye Banyard for more information.  
  

• Gift Shop (Must be 18 years or older.)
  Volunteer in the zoo sanctuary gift shop on weekends and have fun meeting zoo visitors, other volunteers and selling souvenir items!  Retail experience helpful, but not necessary.  Call 916 351-3527 or email challen@folsom.ca.us for more information.
  

  • At least 18 years of age
  • Able to operate computer register (training provided)
  • Enjoy working with the public
  • Donate 8 hours/month

  Alternative Sentencing Community Service - We are currently not offering this program.
  Fulfill your community service hour requirements.  Please note that Alternative Sentencing Community Service Volunteer positions are only available from Monday through Friday from 8am to 10am and duties will primarily be raking and hosing zoo grounds, and emptying trash receptables throughout the zoo (unless special exceptions pre-arranged through Jill Lute.)  Please contact Jill Lute for more information.

  School or Other Community Service - We are currently not offering this program.
  We regret that this program is no longer available at the zoo until further notice.  Students may be able to work on an Enrichment project at home to fulfill school community service requirements though.  Please follow the information for Enrichment Volunteer.

  Eagle Scout Projects - currently suspended until further notice.
  Please follow the link for information about the Eagle Scout Program offered by the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary.  At this time all Eagle Scout positions are FULL.  Please check out other animal related institutions that may be able to offer this program.

• Donate your old cell phone - Calling for Canines

Drop off your old cell phone in a zip-loc type baggie (working or not!) at the ticket booth between zoo operation hours Tues-Sun 10am - 4pm. (Summer Hours 9 - 3pm during 1 June - 31 August)

• Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary is running a cell phone program in conjunction with CellPhone Bank.Org Wireless fundraiser program. Proceeds will be used towards the canine exhibit.

• Your participation in this program will not only help the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary animals, with proceeds going to the zoo, but you will also be helping keep hazardous wastes out of our landfills. Many donated cellular phones are then put to use by emergency services, shelters and others who may need a direct link to 911 (such as battered children, adults, and senior citizens.) Additionally, cellular phones are exported to less developed countries where cellular communications may be the primary telephone service in the country. Cellular phones, which cannot be reused, are disposed of in an environmentally safe manner.
• All cellular phones and accessories accepted.
• Please deactivate phones before donating.
• Newer and smaller phones generate the most funds!

• Donate your recyclables
  Don't forget that the zoo will accept your aluminum cans, plastic bottles ONLY PLEASE.   NOTE: WE ARE NOT ACCEPTING GLASS BOTTLES ANYMORE DUE TO THE SAFETY HAZARD.  It would  be helpful if you could bag them seperately eg: cans in one bag, bottles in another etc.  Just drop them off at the zoo during normal zoo hours.  All monies raised go towards beautifying our zoo! Our beautiful recycled-recycling containers (as above) have been funded by ADEMAS FOUNDATION, Los Angeles, as well as our ADA accessible picnic tables and umbrellas! Our recycling containers are made by MIDPOINT INTERNATIONAL from 100% HDPE recycled milk jugs!  The recyclling program is a great success and raises between $50 and $100 per week for the zoo animals!  Thank you!

• Donate your Airmiles
  Your donation of airline miles and/or hotel points will enable keepers to travel to educational conferences and training courses that will benefit the animals. Please check with your airline and/or hotel chain on how to "gift" some miles/points to the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary.

• Donate your Cash!
  If you would like to make a donation to the zoo you can choose any of the following:
• Visit the zoo during the hours of 10am - 4pm Tuesday - Sunday and drop off your donation at the ticket booth.
• Write a check and mail it to 403, Stafford Street, Folsom, CA 95630, if you wish your donation to go towards a specific project stipulate on the check.
• Call (916) 351-3527 during Tuesday - Sunday from 10am - 4pm and we can accept donations using your credit card.
• Visit the "Friends" website to donate on-line.

• Donate your shopping power
• The animals are registered! The Folsom Zoo Sanctuary has several on-line and in-store registries.
• http://www.homedepot.com Go to Gift Center. Then, On-line registry. Then Folsom Zoo Sanctuary (in the spot for "last name")
• http://www.target.com/ Go to Gift Registries. Then Club Wedd. Then Friends of the Folsom Zoo (in the spot for "first name")
• http://www.sanctuarysupplies.com/ Go to Wish Lists. Then Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary.
• Gift Cards are also very much appreciated.

• Donate your company skills
  Money isn’t everything! Individuals, firms and organizations often donate needed services, building materials, things for special events. If your company would like to get involved contact Jill Lute

• Donate some items
  WISH LIST FOR THE FOLSOM CITY ZOO - these items can be donated throughout the year.

Household Items Detergents and soaps - "Method" Brands Bleach Trash Bags Latex Gloves Scrub brushes, sponges Small Dixie cups and paper cups Paper plates and bowls Powerful flashlights (all sizes) Batteries (all sizes) Heating pads (any size) All natural fiber and Astroturf door mats (new only) Food Items 100% jams and jellies 100% all natural peanut butter, (no sugar, salt, or preservatives) Fresh and dried herbs and spices Organic fresh fruits and vegetables Femur and knuckle bones Whole turkeys, chickens, or game hens (free range) Whole and shelled nuts - walnuts/almonds (fresh and unsalted) Popcorn (plain, no salt or butter) Mini boxes of raisins Toys for these types of animals Parrot – (also perches & ceramic bowls) Cat (also litter, litter boxes, brushes, small scratchers and cat trees) Dog (Only hard toys ie kongs (also natural bones and treat dispensers) Rabbit (also water bottles and food holders) Horse (also grooming supplies) Ferret (Also ferret-tone, hammocks and beds) Miscellaneous Items Aluminum carabineers Fire hose (cotton only) Shorn wool Hemp, cotton, natural ropes PVC pipe and caps etc. (all sizes) and glue for PVC Stainless steel bowls and chain (all sizes) Small fruit trees Raleys, Petco, PetSmart, Lowes, Target, Douglas Ranch Supply, Trader Joes, Hazel Ridge Vet Clinic, Loomis Basin Vet Clinic, Madison Avenue Vet Clinic, Home Depot , Elliott's gift cards. Natural foods Gift Certificates. Donated Hotel points or Air Miles.

Gardening Items California Flex-rakes, (any size and new) Plastic snow shovels, (new only) Hand held tools Work Gloves Natural fiber push brooms, (heads only are OK) Heavy duty hoses and repair kits Power tools (edge trimmers, power washer, drills, etc.) Coconut liners (new only) Misters (any kind) Shade cloth Enrichment Items Flour ( for making pinatas) Non-Toxic Paints Colored Tissue Paper Wooden Blocks (for making bird toys) Raffia String Education Department Carpet squares Animal and nature video/DVD’s Art supplies CD/Tape Player