You’re interested in veterinary medicine, zoology or are you driven by your deep love for animals? How about combining your fascination with the opportunity to make a difference to those in need by becoming a volunteer in animal care.
Although our huge biodiversity is well respected in most cultures, many species suffer from poaching or declining habitat. As a volunteer in animal care you have the chance to support on-site teams in their work and therefore, help to give these species back their natural biosphere. As the work never gets less, social projects are dependent on volunteers in the following areas:
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- Gain Work Experience: Through assisting in the field of animal care, you have the ability to try out your dream career without making a long-term commitment. Gain knowledge in fields of scientific methods, zoology or veterinary medicine. If you already have certain skills in these areas, you can easily extend them.
- Make a difference: One of the biggest benefits you can have is the awareness that your effort makes a meaningful difference. That difference is not just a benefit for you, but for the whole community you’ll be working with.
- Make new friends: Either two-legged or quadruped, you will definitely find new friends and you will have at least one thing in common: sharing a special experience by contributing to a better cause.
- Cultural Immersion: You’ll be working in close contact with locals, so take the chance to foster a cultural exchange. Therefore you get all the necessary information about cultural habits you need to adjust to and you’re able to expand your horizon at the same time.
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Maritime
As one of the last secrets that has to be solved, the ocean still offers a wide range of species and myths, which a volunteer in animal care can help to explore. As two highly endangered species, turtles and dolphins are the main focus of many social programs. Take your chance and help to protect nesting turtles actively as a sea turtle conservation assistant through hands on work like beach patrols and the release of hatchlings. To provide further damage to these endangered species, another part of your work will be the realisation of environmental education and recycling programs. You rather prefer programs with a focus on protecting the marine ecosystem? Get excited about working in close connection with dolphins. Monitor these fascinating creatures and assist in recording their appearance and behaviour right on the boat.
Primate
If you like to volunteer in animal care and wish to experience living in the bush at the same time, a Primate Protection Program will be just the right option for you. Especially the care of baby monkeys, which were left behind by their moms, is an important cause in most monkey sanctuaries. Volunteering with primates is one of your best chances to learn about conservation in action. Make a change by ensuring the well being of the primates and help to regenerate their natural in environment in countries like South Africa. As you will work directly in the habitat, co-responsible for building hides and look-outs as well as for the potential release of orang-utans or lemurs. You even have the chance to get in contact with the most impressive primate of all: the gorilla.
Small Animals
By participating in a project with a focus on small animals, you have the chance to broaden your horizon a lot. Within these programs, you’re able to gain knowledge and to put your skills into practice at the same time. Get involved in the day-to-day duties by assisting in diagnostics, treatments or nutrition supplements. If you consider a career in the field of veterinary medicine, take this chance to get an overview about your future work tasks. Besides assisting in veterinary surgeons and performing medical checks, dog rescue is an important cause when it comes to small animals. Help to work against injustice and support physiotherapy lessons and socialize them throughout the day. Programs are located in many countries all over the world like Trinidad and Tobago, India or Spain.
Wildlife
Take the chance to interact with wildlife in their natural setting and help to improve the prevailing conditions at the same time. You’re involved in the daily activities of on-site teams by creating a sustainable environment through providing food or enrichment to the animals in the form of interaction. The variety of animals that you can work with is almost unlimited. Whether you’d like to volunteer in horse care by accompanying them through the day in Costa Rica or assisting in the monitoring elephant behaviour in Zimbabwe – it’ very easy to find the perfect program-match.If you’d like to gain more knowledge in terms of academic research, there are various programs that include conducting surveys and monitoring the progress.
Where to Volunteer in Animal Care
Because animal welfare is an important cause all over the world, there are various destinations that offer you the option to volunteer in animal care. Click on the map to see which opportunities are currently available.
Volunteers worked in different groups with a weekly rotation of tasks like food preparation, doing research, spending time with the baby baboons and lot more.
– Steffi (21) Volunteer from Germany
Important Facts to Know
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Especially when working with animals it is crucial that you have all the required vaccinations. Ask your doctor, which vaccines are recommended when working with certain animals and boost your vaccines for tetanus and rabies in particular.
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In most cases, you will volunteer at your own risk. Therefore, be sure that your insurance covers for all contingencies. Check with the project you’ll be working with if there are special policies, you have to take care of.
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Depending on which country you volunteer in animal care, you should gather all necessary information concerning the respective status of the animal you going to work with. As one example, elephants are considered to be sacred in some Asian countries. Pay your respect to the animals and the culture and therefore, help to foster a cultural exchange.
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Even if you already have an inherited hypersensitivity or another predisposition that was already noticed by a doctor it’s not impossible to volunteer in animal care at all – you just have to take a few precautions before going to the project site. Most likely, a pet hair allergy will arise. Ask your doctor for a check-up in advance.
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In the beginning, you may feel a little bit insecure when working with animals for the first time. A good advice: try get rid of that insecurity as soon as possible. As animals can sense your unease, they will get nervous and it will be even harder to work with them in a proper way.
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Typical Program for a volunteer in Animal Care
Besides your potential task it’s crucial to know how a program in animal care is organised and what you have to consider when applying for one. To make it easier for you, have a look at this average program which covers any information you should have in advance.
- Average duration: 1 – 12 weeks
- Average fee: $450/week
- Average working hours: Monday – Friday / 8.00 am – 16.00 pm
- Requirements: Basic English, minimum age of 18 years, health declaration
How to apply
After reading so much about your opportunities to make a difference as a volunteer you’re probably interested how you can apply for your favourite project in particular. Just follow these steps and you’re free to volunteer abroad in no time.
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Find Opportunities
Browse your program in animal care and have look at which program you would like to help. Choose where to volunteer and which cause you prefer to support.
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Send Application
Go to the program page of your favourite volunteer program and click on “Apply” on the right sidebar. Set the date for your stay, cross check your personal information, upload the required documents and click “send application” afterwards.
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Receive Invitation
If you’re accepted, the social project will send you an official invitation, including your duration and program fees. Accept the invitation to reserve your spot.
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Now you have every information you need to find your perfect match for your social trip abroad in animal care. All you have to do now is browsing through the various programs on Volunteer World.
This platform is all about making volunteering simple and transparent. Featuring more than 500 volunteer programs in 70+ countries, it is a one-stop resource for volunteer abroad opportunities. If your are interested in other categories or ways to volunteer abroad, click here for more inspiration.
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