Volunteer With Albatross Aviary
A Unique Opportunity to Serve a Unique Population
Volunteering at Albatross Aviary is not like volunteering at a typical shelter or rescue. We are a working sanctuary for parrots and other complex birds impacted by the pet trade—a space dedicated to lifelong care, stability, and advocacy for animals who have often endured trauma, neglect, or serial rehoming.
We are currently in the middle of a major expansion, moving into a newly donated 12,800 square foot facility in Grand Rapids. This move represents the next stage in our evolution—but it is also a time of intensive labor, restructuring, and rebuilding from the ground up.
Because of the demands of this transition, our volunteer program is currently operating in a limited, specialized capacity. We are not onboarding new general volunteers or casual helpers at this time. However, we are actively seeking serious, skilled, and mission-aligned individuals to support us in foundational roles.
Please continue reading below for a more detailed description of our needs and volunteer opportunities you may be right for.
Learn More About Volunteering
A Unique Opportunity to Serve a Unique Population
Our move to the new facility involves:
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Transporting and reorganizing all of our existing aviary infrastructure and supplies
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Renovating indoor habitats for our permanent bird residents
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Building out our kitchen, sanitation, volunteer, and educational spaces
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Maintaining round-the-clock care for dozens of complex, high-needs birds
This is an all-hands-on-deck moment. Our core team is small. Our work is precise. Every action we take must prioritize the birds’ physical and emotional safety.
As a result, we are currently limiting volunteer onboarding to roles that directly support the physical development of the new sanctuary and the daily operations that keep our birds healthy during the move.
What We’re Looking For Right Now
We are seeking volunteers who are:
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Skilled or experienced in construction, trades, or facilities work
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Carpenters, electricians, plumbers, painters, and builders of all kinds
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Experienced in animal care, sanctuary operations, or nonprofit logistics
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People who understand the emotional needs of captive animals
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Organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable with structure and expectations
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Reliable, professional, and self-directed
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Looking to make a long-term commitment to the sanctuary's mission and growth
We are not currently able to offer roles focused on “bird socialization,” enrichment, or general public caretaking. These programs will resume only after we complete the build-out of safe, species-specific spaces and stabilize operations in the new building.
What It's Like to Volunteer at Albatross Aviary
Volunteering with us means working in a complex, emotionally sensitive, and highly structured environment.
Our birds are survivors. Many come from backgrounds of chronic stress, isolation, or neglect. Some were intentionally abused. Others were simply misunderstood by people who didn't know how to care for them.
We prioritize calm, consistency, and predictability. That means:
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We do not allow unstructured interaction with birds
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We do not offer drop-in or casual volunteer hours
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We train all volunteers in trauma-informed, species-specific protocols
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We expect volunteers to commit to their scheduled shifts and responsibilities
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We treat our work with the seriousness it deserves
This is not about playing with birds; it's about serving them.
If you're looking to contribute to something meaningful—something rooted in discipline, care, and compassion—there is a place for you here.
What to Expect From the Process
Current Volunteer Intake is Limited
Due to our relocation and renovation process, we are onboarding only volunteers who can support construction, infrastructure, and essential care operations. If you are interested in working with the birds directly or participating in public education or enrichment roles, we invite you to check back once our new facility is fully operational (estimated early next year).
All Volunteers Must
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Be 18 years or older
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Submit an application and provide relevant experience or references
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Complete an orientation (available by appointment only)
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Follow all safety, sanitation, and species-specific protocols
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Agree to respect the boundaries and behavioral needs of the birds
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Understand that this is a sanctuary, not a shelter or petting zoo
We will reach out individually to applicants whose skills and availability match current needs.
Future Volunteer Opportunities (Coming Soon)
Once we complete construction and stabilize the new facility, we will reopen roles including:
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Bird care assistant (feeding, cleaning, enrichment prep)
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Educational support & event help
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Outreach & advocacy volunteers
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Grant writing, administration, and communications support
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Sanctuary maintenance and landscaping
If you're interested in these opportunities, please note this in your application and we’ll contact you once onboarding resumes for those areas.
Thank You for Your Interest!
Albatross Aviary exists because of the deep commitment of volunteers and community supporters who refuse to look away from the hard work of doing right by birds.
If you’re one of them, thank you. We look forward to working alongside you.