VOLUNTEER with us at sanctuary at sho

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Sanctuary@SHO seeks PART-TIME VOLUNTEERS to assist with the day-to-day care and maintenance of our 75-plus flock of rescued domestic ducks.

We welcome volunteers on a rolling basis, and will be happy to place your name on a wait-list if positions are filled

About Sanctuary at SHO

Sanctuary at SHO is a duck and wildlife refuge creating food systems that model a non-exploitive relationship with animals.
Sanctuary at SHO is a 501(c)(3) headquartered at SHO Farm, a 1300 acre permaculture forest farm located in the Green Mountains of Vermont. Our work is intended to model a life- positive way of stewarding large working landscapes in partnership with wildlife and our duck flock. In August 2016, we rescued over 100 ducklings from going to slaughter after being used by a rice grower for weed and insect control, and fertilization.

We are a working regenerative, plant-centered farm with duck partners whom we’ve committed to care for with respect, compassion and love for the duration of their lives.

In addition to providing our flock with a loving home, we are interested in researching and modeling how to
responsibly integrate the care of domestic animals into a working ecosystem instead of viewing them as commodities in the human food chain.

We hope to inspire other land stewards and farmers to partner with wildlife and domestic animals in a non-exploitive, respectful and compassionate way.

To Learn More About Us, Please Visit

  • www.sanctuaryatsho.org (this website)

  • www.livingfuture.org

  • www.shofarm-cbduck.com

  • www.earthasset.com

  • Facebook page for SHO Farm - under Melissa Hoffman, Member of SHO Farm, LLC - https://www.facebook.com/ tealfarm.vermont

duties


Volunteer duties may include the following:

  • Ensure safety, health and well-being of ducks at all times

  • Clean indoor and outdoor facilities (mucking pens will be the most significant duty)

  • Feed/water ducks that are kept inside barn and allowed outside for the day

  • Move ducks in and out of barn (weather-depending)

  • Maintenance and repair of indoor and outdoor facilities as needed

  • Assist with straw/hay storage

  • Assist with basic animal care procedures (nail clipping, leg banding, wound treating, etc.)

  • Assist with outdoor electric fence infrastructure installation, repair, maintenance, rotation

  • Assist in keeping food and supplies inventory

  • Monitor ducks for health and injuries

  • Observe, record and discuss animal observations

  • Inspect predator controls

  • Secure barn at end of day

    Qualifications

  • Trustworthy/honest

  • Reliable/dependable

  • Strong work ethic

  • Excellent attention to detail

  • Compassionate toward/patient with animals

  • Commitment to a farm/animal care-taking lifestyle (long irregular hours, physically demanding, emotionally

    challenging at times)

  • Quick learner

  • Ability to work in harsh/all weather conditions (extreme cold and hot/humid conditions)

  • Ability to perform strenuous physical labor and lifting, excellent stamina, no medical issues or limitations (must be able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs)

  • Ability to complete detailed tasks as assigned and within required timeframe

  • Ability to work independently

  • Strong animal behavior observation skills

  • Ability to multi-task

  • Thrive in a dynamic, ever-changing environment

  • Responsive to spontaneous needs

  • High level of initiative and a desire to excel

  • Clean, orderly

  • Ability to think on the fly, not operate purely by rote

  • Clear, respectful communicator

  • Professional in comportment and appearance

POSITIONS

Volunteers

These positions require a commitment to show up regularly. Whether 2 hours per week, or a day every month.

Please send a letter of inquiry to shawn@earthasset.com Please include answers to the following questions as part of your letter of inquiry:

1. Why are you interested in volunteering at our duck sanctuary?

2. Do you have any conditions that could interfere with the performance of the job?

3. Do you have reliable transportation (AWD/4WD)? We live 35 min from Burlington, VT, (hospital, shops, restaurants), 15 min from Richmond, VT, 5 min from Huntington Village.

Sanctuary at SHO | SHO Farm working style and environment

Volunteers and guests shall follow these guidelines while on the farm:

• Quiet and respectful presence
 • Please avoid using scented chemicals/perfumes while working at the farm.
• Maintain professional decorum with guests
• Tobacco and drug-free campus