Rogers County Community Service Program |
Several years ago, Wild Heart Ranch became a member of this wonderful program. If you have been directed to this link, you may have found yourself faced with some legal trouble. As a community, we are very fortunate to have this program available. It allows offenders to work off some of their fines and/or jail time with government, public and volunteer agencies. We are proud and honored to be considered one of these worthy causes. The feedback we have received from workers and the long term friendships we have gained as a result, tells us that our program and our rescue may forever change you after spending time here. You may come here for punishment, but you will find endless rewards. We are selective about the people who we allow to work here. We all make mistakes, but the extent of some may be more than we are comfortable with. If you were assigned here, than someone has faith in you. We ask that you take advantage of this opportunity, and not take advantage of us. WHO WE ARE You may have already been assigned to spend your community service hours at Wild Heart Ranch. My family and I have turned our property and our daily lives over to the injured and orphaned wildlife in Oklahoma. We are all volunteers here, and though we do it for the joy of assisting the animals, it is a lot of hard and sometimes heartbreaking work, and we are always grateful for help. We average 500 to 1,000 wild animals per year, and have been a full time rescue center since 1997. Our goal is to release all wildlife back into the wild once they are fit. No one is making a profit from your labor. We spend nearly half our personal income directly on the animals and we have no regular funding and donations only fill the gaps. We need your help and we depend on this program to keep operating. At Wild Heart, you will have an experience of a lifetime. If you do not enjoy the company of animals, you won't be comfortable here. They are everywhere, many roaming free and at peace with each other. Our job is to care for them and clean up behind them. Our standards are strict and when you are here, the animals are always top priority. WHAT YOU WILL DO The girls and I usually work inside the wildlife clinic and feeding and cleaning the outside animals. Those duties include cleaning cleaning and more cleaning. We wash and put away loads of animal dishes and laundry, keep crates and cages immaculate, dust and organize shelves and supplies, keep floors and surfaces caught up and generally have a pretty good time doing it. There is no telling who you might meet and most of them will get in your way every day you are here. When that happens, stop what you are doing and give them some attention. It is never against the rules to play with the resident animals, as long as we still get our work done. Wildlife preparing for release should be avoided. They are hands off. One human care giver is already one too many when you want to keep the wildlife wild. From March through August, I am buried in babies and the inside work consists of keeping me caught up and supported while I feed hundreds of little ones. The job can be fascinating. I believe that work can be fun in the right environment, and we respect everyone that comes here to help, regardless of the circumstances. You are referred to as a volunteer, and it is up to you if you want to share otherwise with other volunteers. The guys will almost always be outside when weather permits, working with my husband, Robbie. Those duties include building and repairing cages, fences and structures, keeping the grounds up, mowing, edging, burning brush and any odd jobs that may pop up. If you have skills that we can use on a project such as carpentry, masonry, landscaping, auto mechanics, roofing etc, we may have an opportunity for you to get extra time for donating your professional skills to improve the facilities and its overall appearance and function. There are benefits to being reliable and efficient. You will often be left alone to work independently with no one watching over your shoulder. You will be given a task to complete and we only expect it done properly and done right the first time. Clean is clean, dirty is dirty. Shoddy work will be redone. The safety of the animals is paramount. Your project clean up is your responsibility before you leave. People who need constant supervision and instruction will not work out here. We are very busy and while you are here, we need to be able to count on you while we catch up other things. WHEN YOU CAN DO IT Our regular schedule is Saturdays from 9 am to 4 pm. You will be credited an extra hour just for showing up on time and being available until 4pm. If you are late or have to leave early, you are not awarded the extra hour and will have to make it up. Being late is not an option. You are required to keep your schedule. This is your responsibility. We have a morning meeting at 9 am to discuss the day's objectives. Late arrivals will most likely get the job of clean up. (bucket and poop scooper) If you cannot work Weekends, you need to check with us in advance of assignment to see if we can use you on another day. If you request another day to work, and you do not show up for that shift, your time card will be sent back and you will be assigned elsewhere. WHAT WE EXPECT FROM YOU You need to wear comfortable clothes that can get dirty. We only dress sharp on Educational program days, open house events, or times we will work at other rescue events or volunteer for our wildlife vet. You will be notified in advance of those times. "Sharp" consists of clothes worthy of a professional public impression. You will not be asked to do anything dangerous or unhealthy. Prior injuries are always considered and if we ask you to do something that you should not physically do, we need to know about it. Your safety is priority here and we need your assistance to keep you safe. If we ask you not to handle a certain animal, there is good reason for it. We've seen the damage they can do. Even if something appears friendly, always check before you touch. Stealing, drug or alcohol use, insubordination and poor performance will be reason to terminate your assignment at Wild Heart immediately. We rarely deal with those things, but are constantly watching for them. We have zero tolerance for "no shows". Accidents and emergencies happen. Calling in after the start of your shift is considered a "no show". Calling in last minute when you could have given notice is also a no show. Short of an emergency on your way in, there aren't many good excuses for keeping us waiting for you. When you do not show up for a shift, we automatically run behind as we have your work and ours to now do. A no show without a good excuse puts you on probation with Wild Heart. Any problems after that may result in reassignment. You must have a reliable source of transportation. You must have access to a phone or someone to take messages for you in case we call to reschedule you. You will never be penalized if we reschedule or send you home early. Children cannot come to work with you. We are not child proof and this is a liability we would rather not expose ourselves too. Arrangements for a family visit can be made after your time is completed. The animals that live here are never kicked, struck or forced to tolerate stress. They are here for sanctuary, and if you have a problem with them, we will have a problem with you. You are here for them. Injuring, endangering or any form of abuse of an animal will result in reassignment. WHAT YOU GET IN RETURN You will not be docked for lunch or smoke breaks. Smoking is allowed in moderation while you work. Please bring a lunch and something to drink. During the summer, drinks are provided if it's in the budget. If you do not have transportation for lunch, bring a lunch or $5 for pizza. Bonus hours are awarded for people who use their vehicle and gas to run errands, pick up animals, and who are willing to be called in for emergencies. Bonus hours are also awarded for self initiative, consistency, and going the extra mile in your duties. We also reward those willing and able to work outside in extreme temperatures. We pay attention to everything and always acknowledge a job well done. If you are diligent about your schedule and performance, you may be given the opportunity to puchase supplies for the animals for the second half or less of your assigned time. This is calculated at $5 per hour assigned. This is a privelage that must be earned. You have to invest yourself before you are entitled to invest your money. Please call to get on the schedule after assignment by Court Services. At Wild Heart Ranch, you will receive no credit for showing up early for your shift. We have things to do to get ready for your work day, and will not be ready to start your shift until 9 am. If you arrive early, wait in your vehicle or on the porch of the south building. Everything will be locked up and the dogs will be loose until 9. You will need to bring your time card. We ask that you park in the driveway south of ours. It belongs to the new building and may not be indicated on the map. Pull up all the way to make room for other workers. Overflow cars can park in our driveway. You will be shown around the rescue and introduced to the animals on your first day. To begin each work day, we have a staff meeting at the picnic tables and discuss the objectives for the day. Any special needs or requests should be brought up at this time. Lunch is noon to 1:00. You are free to leave for this hour. You must return on time. ANY misconduct during your lunch hour is considered "on the clock" and is a violation of your responsibilities. Though the guidelines may sound rigid, the environment offered here is anything but. If you are good to us, we will be good to you. If you tend to be someone who complains about being here or the duties you are assigned, and your presence makes the day miserable for others, you wont work out here. We are all working for something that is humane, selfless and honorable. We believe you will take something away from this experience more than a debt paid to society, but you must be willing to contribute. You will learn and see things you never expected, and walk away with a fondness and understanding of wildlife and the animals that live here that you will never forget. It's a rewarding job and an amazing place to spend time. Most of our community service volunteers still visit us and bring supplies. That says a lot. Welcome to a different kind of "Wild Life"! Annette & Robbie Tucker 918)341-9629 or 918)342-WILD (9453) |
