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# Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: Volunteer or Donate
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/deepwater_horizon_oil_spill_0906100621/
- Published: 2010-06-09T19:17:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:03:10.000Z
- Description: A public notice on the Deepwater Horizon spill, listing phone numbers and links for volunteering, reporting oil on land or oiled wildlife, offering boats to the Vessels of Opportunity Program, donating to bird rescue groups and reporting suspected spill-related fraud.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Environment, Health News, #vivvo-import

On April 20, 2010, the semi-submersible drilling rig [Deepwater Horizon](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=8738&p%5Fsid=RIs1y12k&p%5Flva=8747&ref=foodconsumer.org) experienced an explosion and fire. The damaged platform capsized and sank on April 22, 2010, approximately 50 miles southeast of Venice, Louisiana. [Oil](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=8232&p%5Fsid=RIs1y12k&p%5Flva=8747&ref=foodconsumer.org) has been leaking into the Gulf of Mexico from damaged sections of piping on the sea floor. The government and the commercial parties involved are continuing their efforts to contain and disperse the spill.

If you are interested in volunteering to aid in the recovery effort, please call 1.866.448.5816\. This hotline can also be used to report oil on land or boom issues.

For more information, including state specific volunteer opportunities, please view [British Petroleum's (BP) Volunteer Info web page](http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/page/2931/46359/?ref=foodconsumer.org).

For information on offering your boat for use in the [Vessels of Opportunity Program](http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/doc/2931/542683?ref=foodconsumer.org), or to offer [suggestions to clean, contain, recover or stop the flow of oil](http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/doc/2931/546759/?ref=foodconsumer.org), please call 1.281.366.5511.

To report oiled wildlife, please call 1.866.557.1401\. Individuals are urged not to attempt to help injured or oiled animals, but to report any sightings to this toll-free number. Before any person or organization can handle or confine birds or mammals for rescue, they must get special permits that are issued by state and federal officials. For more information, please visit the web page on [rescuing wildlife](http://www.epa.gov/oem/content/learning/rescue.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org) from the [Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=6016&p%5Fsid=RIs1y12k&p%5Flva=8747&ref=foodconsumer.org).

You may also wish to view the following links for information on the wildlife rescue efforts in the Gulf of Mexico. These sites also provide information on making monetary contributions and in-kind donations:

- [The International Bird Rescue Research Center](http://intbirdrescue.blogspot.com/?ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research](http://tristatebird.org/?ref=foodconsumer.org)

The National Center for Disaster Fraud is accepting information from the public about [suspected fraud associated with the Gulf of Mexico oil spill](http://www.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel10/oilspillfraud050410.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org). For example, individuals may falsely claim to be raising money for environmental causes. To report fraudulent activity, please call 1.866.720.5721, e-mail [disaster@leo.gov](mailto:disaster@leo.gov) or fax information to 1.225.334.4707.

**Additional Resources:**

- [State Information on the Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=8745&p%5Fsid=RIs1y12k&p%5Flva=8747&ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [Report and Apply for Oil Spill Related Damage Claims](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=8746&p%5Fsid=RIs1y12k&p%5Flva=8747&ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [Pollution: Marine Oil Spills](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=7961&p%5Fsid=RIs1y12k&p%5Flva=8747&ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [Environmental Emergencies: Releases of Oil, Radioactive Materials or Hazardous Chemicals](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=6015&p%5Fsid=RIs1y12k&p%5Flva=8747&ref=foodconsumer.org)

by USA.gov team