Thank you for your interest in becoming a volunteer for the Marine Animal Response Society (MARS). We are pleased that so many people are eager to donate their time to our organization. MARS responds to stranded seals, whales, dolphins, and porpoises in Nova Scotia and is working with other organizations to develop a network which will respond to all incidents in the Maritime Provinces. In order to cover this much coastline, trained volunteers are critical. Volunteering for a stranding network can be a rewarding experience.

There are many aspects of the organization in which a volunteer can become involved:

1. first response (site visit, confirm incident, take photos etc.)
2. sample collection (dead animals)
3. live animal incidents (first aid and secondary procedures)
4. public outreach (educational material development, webpage etc.)

Please note, we do not currently have volunteer positions that are full or part time in nature.

If you would like to become a MARS volunteer please email us at marineanimalresponse@gmail.com

For volunteers interested in responding to stranding incidents, please provide:

1. your phone number
2. the town/city you live in
3. if you have a vehicle
4. how far you would be willing to drive to a stranding incident
5. what days/times you would generally be available
6. any experience/training that may be relevant to stranding incidents

Once we have your information we’ll add you to our contact list.

Please note, stranding incidents are sporadic. As a result, volunteers may not be called for some time.

Volunteer response will, initially, be limited to investigating an incident and reporting back to us. Refloating or handling stranded marine mammals by inexperienced individuals may be dangerous to both the animal and the people involved. Only trained individuals should handle and refloat cetaceans.

Training sessions on marine mammal response techniques may be offered.