Animal Volunteer Work Across The World

Animal Volunteer Work 

Animal-welfare organisations and charities have a broad range of volunteer projects almost anywhere in the world. Whether working on conservation projects or in animal sanctuaries, there are opportunities for volunteer animal carers for periods between a few weeks to over a year.

Bird Rescue

The coasts of the southern continents lie along major sea routes, and oil spills – whether crude oil, fuel or vegetable oil in transit - are a frequent occurrence. Penguin colonies around South Africa and New Zealand are regular victims of oil spills. The voluntary work involves learning how to clean and feed the birds as well as administering medication. The penguins are kept in special enclosures until they are fit enough to be released into the wild. This type of work has regular hours so volunteers will have plenty of opportunity to visit nearby places of interest.

Learn about eagle rescue in Canada. Eaglets can get trapped in fishing lines and rescuers have to learn how to free the baby eagle not only so that it survives, but also so that its parents will not reject it. For a real challenge, try a stint at a bird-protection centre in the deserts of Kuwait. There are huge numbers of kestrels, falcons and Steppe eagles.

Breeding

Voluntary work abroad with animals can include becoming involved in a breeding project. Lion numbers in Africa are falling sharply so breeding projects are necessary to ensure their survival on the continent. Volunteers work with lion cubs aged between two and 18 months and slowly introduce them to the wild. They learn how to bottle-feed the cubs and prepare food for those already weaned. As the cubs grow up, the work changes to walking alongside them as they learn how stalk and hunt. Keen horse riders can join mounted patrols around the project's or game reserve's boundaries. There's always some spare time for swimming, canoeing or going on a excursions

Conservation

Help sea turtles to survive on a turtle-conservation project in Costa Rica. Volunteers start their work during the nesting season. Only a few of the eggs laid result in adult turtles as humans, other animals or extreme weather interferes in the hatching process. Volunteers collect newly laid eggs and take them to a hatchery and safety. Once hatched, the baby turtles are released into the sea. There will still be time to explore Costa Rica's beaches, rainforests and historic sites.

Swimming with sharks is a conservation job with a difference. Sharks are the top of the food chain in coral reefs. Without them, the coral reef dies. Shark-conservation projects in Mozambique and South Africa are perfect jobs for volunteers with a diving qualification. Volunteers swim with the sharks and collect data and photograph them. They also monitor shark numbers during beach walks or on boat trips.


Veterinary
Animal-welfare groups welcome volunteer vets, veterinary students and nurses in hundreds of projects worldwide. Lanta Animal Welfare on KohLanta Island in southern Thailand needs all kind of veterinary volunteers to look after large numbers of pets, strays and injured animals. The volunteers also help out with educational programmes at local schools. Leisure time can be spent on the beautiful local beaches. Animal-care centres throughout the world, from Argentina to Japan, China, India and Turkey, need all kinds of veterinary help for snakes, big cats, elephants and pandas. You can work in a surgery or rehabilitate injured birds of prey.

AUTHOR BIO:
Alison Stone writes regularly on voluntary work abroad with animals for a number of travel websites and blogs. She specialises in arranging volunteer work in Africa and Asia.