Animal Wildlife Rescue

location
1 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 16 - 50+

rating  Great 4.4  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Complete your reservation as soon as possible. This project fills up quickly and is already booked on certain dates.


Highlights

  • Protect endangered wildlife, including sloths, monkeys, ocelots, kinkajous, coati, deer, macaws, and exotic birds
  • Collaborate with skilled veterinarians to rehabilitate Costa Rican animals and release them back into their natural habitats
  • Explore the captivating landscapes of Costa Rica, from vibrant culture to breathtaking beaches and lush rainforests

Highlights

  • Protect endangered wildlife, including sloths, monkeys, ocelots, kinkajous, coati, deer, macaws, and exotic birds
  • Collaborate with skilled veterinarians to rehabilitate Costa Rican animals and release them back into their natural habitats
  • Explore the captivating landscapes of Costa Rica, from vibrant culture to breathtaking beaches and lush rainforests
  • Connect with passionate individuals worldwide, dedicated to animal welfare and making a real difference


  • Especially good for

    Age 16+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Join us in the crucial mission of rescuing, rehabilitating, and, whenever possible, releasing injured and displaced wildlife. Your support is vital for our shared goal!

    Are you ready to become a wildlife volunteer abroad? We hope so!

    What we are looking for

    We need motivated and passionate volunteers to join us here at Rescue Center Costa Rica to take care of our injured and displaced animals. We have monkeys, sloths, kinkajous, coat, exotic birds and much more. ..

    About the program

    Are you ready to become a wildlife volunteer abroad? We hope so!

    What we are looking for

    We need motivated and passionate volunteers to join us here at Rescue Center Costa Rica to take care of our injured and displaced animals. We have monkeys, sloths, kinkajous, coat, exotic birds and much more. However, in order for us to continue our mission of rescue, rehabilitation and when possible release we need the kindness and generosity from people like you who want to make a difference.

    What you can expect

    The volunteer program we run is rewarding, memorable, and a whole lot of fun. In addition to working with our animals you also get to enjoy great food (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-friendly), meet new friends from around the world, travel our beautiful country, and create lasting memories. Most importantly, we work out of a safe and secure location and provide private transportation during our excursions.

    Once you arrive you will be given your bed, and a quick tour of the facility. The first morning you wake-up you will enjoy a delicious breakfast before being given an explanation on your first day of work during the enduction tour at 11am. At mid-day we serve lunch and afterward, you have some downtime to enjoy the pool, swing in a hammock, and meet the other volunteers. Afternoon work is followed by dinner and volunteer activities planned by the coordinators which include but are not limited to games, bonfires, dancing lessons, Karaoke nights etc.

    Your tasks

    Day work is the most important part when you sign-up to be a wildlife volunteer. Workgroups include food prep and feeding, animal enclosure cleaning, animal toy enrichment, and working with the vet team. At every step of the process, we have skilled and endearing coordinators who manage each group and will teach what to do and how to do it. They plan the following day's work each night so if you prefer to be in a certain group with a certain task feel free to communicate that and we will accommodate.

    Packing List

    • Closed-toe shoes or hiking boots for muddy days.
    • Sneakers, flip flops/sandals for free days and relaxing.
    • Shorts and t-shirts for warm days.
    • Long pants and long sleeved lightweight shirts.
    • Flashlight/batteries.
    • Raincoat.
    • Large Zip Lock bags to keep items dry.
    • Reusable water bottle.
    • Towels and toileteries including toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and shampoo.
    • Insect repellent (DEET free repellent os recommended and safer for the animals).
    • Antibacterial spray/cream and bandaids for small scratches and cuts.
    • Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses for the beautiful Costa Rican days.
    Keep in mind pretty much all of the above items can be bought in our gift shops as well as at the local convenience stores/supermarkets. If you forget any of the above please don't worry, just let us know when you arrive and we will help make sure you get what you need immediately.


    Typical day

    • Breakfast is served from 8AM, fruits and coffee are provided at 6:30AM
    • Workgroups are assigned for the daily activities.
    • Animal food prep, enrichment, enclosure cleaning, and veterinarian activities of the morning begin at 6AM and 11:30AM.
    • Lunch is served from 12PM until 1PM.
    • The afternoon meeting ...

    Typical day

    • Breakfast is served from 8AM, fruits and coffee are provided at 6:30AM
    • Workgroups are assigned for the daily activities.
    • Animal food prep, enrichment, enclosure cleaning, and veterinarian activities of the morning begin at 6AM and 11:30AM.
    • Lunch is served from 12PM until 1PM.
    • The afternoon meeting begins at 1:30 between coordinators and their workgroup.
    • Animal food prep, enrichment, enclosure cleaning, and veterinarian activities of the morning begin at 2PM.
    • Dinner is served from 6PM to 7PM.
    • Night activities begin at 7PM including but not limited to movies, dancing (salsa and bachata), spanish class, and more...
    • Volunteers are asked to be in bed by 10PM.

    Check in 3PM  Check-out 11AM



    Free-time activities

    We believe that volunteers who work hard need to play hard as well! 
    • We have a swimming pool on our property surrounded by beach chairs for plenty of time to cool off or get that much-needed Vitamin D.
    • Relax in one of our hammocks and read a good book or just relax with new friends and have a great ...

    Free-time activities

    We believe that volunteers who work hard need to play hard as well! 
    • We have a swimming pool on our property surrounded by beach chairs for plenty of time to cool off or get that much-needed Vitamin D.
    • Relax in one of our hammocks and read a good book or just relax with new friends and have a great conversation.
    We also offer weekly adventure tours which are awesome. You can sign-up every week and travel with other volunteers to places around the country like: 
    • Jaco Beach
    • Manuel Antonio National Park
    • the Monteverde Cloud Forest
    • Arenal Volcano.
    In addition, we also provide turtle volunteer with our partner programs to the different beaches around Costa Rica. You will have fun, make better friendships, and experience and learn all the beautiful nature Costa Rica has to offer. 
    We provide private transportation for these tours at an additional cost to ensure both your safety and enjoyment. Also, we ensure you receive breakfast before leaving, lunch will be provided in some of the tours, dinner will be saved when you arrive home to Rescue Center.

    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 16 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 16 years old on the program start date.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level)

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 07:00 - 17:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by Rescue Center Costa Rica

    The pricing is all-inclusive for your entire stay. 

    • All meals are included which includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We cater to all diets including vegans, vegetarians, gluten-free, and all food allergies. Also we have amazing news for our amazing planet, our meals are 70% plant based!!  
    • The housing we provide is shared rooms but we also have private facilities, family houses, tiki huts, and tents. We believe sleep comfort is important for all of our volunteers. We appreciate and value your hard work so we work hard to make sure you are happy, safe, and comfortable.
    • The night activities we provide are FREE and we work hard to make them as fun and enjoyable as possible.

    The weekly adventure tours have an additional cost but they are not mandatory. We do our best to keep the prices reasonable and in line with expectations. Any money that is profited from these tours goes directly towards our mission which is feeding and caring for the animals. Your participation in these tours lets you enjoy yourself, experience the country, and donate to helping our furry friends.

    We have a supermarket and medical clinic within walking distance! If you need anything else we are always happy to help and accommodate when possible!

    Accommodation

    The housing we provide includes:

    • shared rooms 
    • private facilities
    • family houses
    • tiki huts
    • tents. 

    We believe sleep comfort is important for all of our volunteers. We appreciate and value your hard work so we work hard to make sure you are happy, safe, and comfortable.

    Food & Beverages

    All meals are included which includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

    We cater to all diets including vegans, vegetarians, gluten-free, and all food allergiesAlso we have amazing news for our amazing planet, our meals are 70% plant based!!  

    Internet Access

    Limited access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Airport Pickup at Juan Santamaria International Airport

    An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose. We assist you to find cheap flights to Costa Rica. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Costa Rica provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Costa Rica you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Costa Rica. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    Special Rates in November, December (2024) and January (2025):

    Stay with us for at least 2 weeks and get a 25% discounted rate. Apply for more information!


    We work 365 days a year, you can arrive any day of the week but we do have a schedule for arrivals. Our Rescue Center will have its gates open from 6am till 10pm if you arrive after or before this schedule you'll need to wait for the next day or the next opening. We can provide and arrange your transportation to and from the airport with our trusted drivers if you'll like to but it would have an extra cost. 


    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    1 week (min. stay) 366€
    2 weeks 733€
    3 weeks 1,047€
    4 weeks 1,362€
    5 weeks 1,676€
    6 weeks 1,990€
    7 weeks 2,304€
    8 weeks 2,619€
    9 weeks 2,933€
    10 weeks 3,142€
    11 weeks 3,352€
    12 weeks (max. stay) 3,666€
    Average fees 335€/week

    Program fees

    335€ per week 1 - 12 weeks Age 16 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    1 - 12 weeks

    Deposit

    The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


    Final Payment

    Your final payment will be agreed with Rescue Center Costa Rica during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


    Meet your organization

    Rescue Center Costa Rica

    Great 4.4 rating (133 reviews)

    Non-profit - founded in 2009

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Very high response rate

    Coordinated by

    Vanessa

    Spoken languages: Spanish, English

    About the project

    Work to help rescue and rehabilitate injured wildlife. The work includes feeding, enclosure cleaning, enrichment projects and help in the veterinarian hospital.

    Meet your organization

    The Rescue Center story starts with one person, Vanessa Lizano. She arrived in Limon, Costa Rica in 2009 with a goal and passion. Her goal was to start a place where injured wildlife indigenous to Costa Rica could be rescued, rehabilitated and when possible released.

    She secured a rainforest property in front of Moin beach and soon realized she could not only save wildlife but also endangered sea turtles. Vanessa named her project Paradero Eco Tours. She worked hard for many years building animal cages and walking the beaches at night to find and secure turtle nests. It was hard work but her passion and motivation far exceeded any thoughts of quitting. Within a few years, she had monkeys, sloths, kinkajous, coati and exotic birds all being brought to her weekly by people and government workers around the country. If a baby sloth was found injured or abandoned it was Vanessa who received the call and it was her team she trained who would rehabilitate and eventually release that animal.

    The volunteer program was created to bring others, who shared her passion, from around the world. The money volunteers spent to stay and help would be the resource she needed to feed and medicate the animals who were in need. She was surprised to find out how many men, women, and children around the world wanted to help..wanted to make a difference. The volunteer program and donations from generous, kind people around the world kept her afloat so she could continue her mission. Without the volunteers and the donors, the project would have never survived and countless animals would have perished.

    Unfortunately, on May 31st, 2013 everything ended. Her best friend and co-worker, Jairo Mora Sandoval, was brutally murdered by turtle poachers on the beach in Limon. Vanessa was not there that night but rather was in San Jose with her son. She received the news the next morning and was filled with feelings of grief, anger, and utter devastation. She had received threats in the past from the turtle egg poachers but never imagined the threats were this real. The murderers were never fully brought to justice.

    After years of deserved grief, Vanessa decided with the help of Michael and her sister to start her dream again.  They looked for a safe location where dreams could become reality once again and animals could be helped.

    Next to SJO international airport, they found their little piece of heaven, a small oasis with its own waterfall.  In this safe location, they started and in little time, found themselves filled with animals to help and already released many back to nature.

    Why volunteer with us?

    Being a volunteer at the rescue benefits you as much as it benefits the rescue center.  Besides getting unique and meaningful experience to work frontline with the animals and conversation dedicated staff, here are the other benefits of being an animal rescue volunteer in Costa Rica.

    • Getting up close to a wide range of wildlife, you will immerse yourself in hands-on animal care and rehabilitation experience.
    • The more you give, the happier we feel.  The rescue is often home to hundreds of rescued animals.  Volunteers play an intrinsic role in the success of the center.
    • Many animals have to learn basic skills to get back to the wild, volunteers help them by providing enrichment and conditioning their habitats.
    • Conservation programs in natural environments help towards the prevention of the current decline in animal populations.  Animals brought here are in severe threat of decline due to illegal wildlife trade, poaching and habitat destruction.  Wildlife conservation is not only about caring for animals, it is also about education in the local community. Research done at the rescue is important to safeguard against destructive threats and to create educational programs within local populations.



    133 reviews · rating4.4

    Juliana De Sousa Gomes rating5

    2024 at Animal Wildlife Rescue

    Thank you for this amazing moment I made many friands, have a Nice time, take time to see the animals and take care about it. I Will never forget this expérience ...
    Pippa White rating5

    2024 at Animal Wildlife Rescue

    We have had an amazing week, we have been made to feel so welcome and met some amazing people from around the world. We have learnt so much about about the animals and cared for them in in surroundings that are respectful to the animals. ..
    Félix Fouillen rating5

    2024 at Animal Wildlife Rescue

    I've just returned from a month at the rescue center, and it's been an incredible experience! You meet so many great people from so many different countries. We're in charge of preparing the animals' food, feeding them (putting the food in the cages) and cleaning up their environments, and we do ...
    Deb Jeunette rating5

    2024 at Animal Wildlife Rescue

    This rescue center is a great place to start if you have never volunteered before. They have a comfort you would need! Hot, running water, decent food, their prompt in replying, and communicating with you, very competent, warm and welcoming staff, comfortable sleeping accommodations and it’s a ...
    Dominique Lecher rating5

    2024 at Animal Wildlife Rescue

    I was helping 2 weeks in the animal Team. I originally wanted to only stay 1 but it was so nice and i met very great people, so i decided to stay longer. I really loved ...
    Linn Stensby rating5

    2024 at Animal Wildlife Rescue

    I had the most amazing experience at the rescue. Runned by incredible people. However, this page needs to note dress code and that the minimum for working with sloths is 2 weeks(most people didn'tknow this). Everything else was incredible and life ...

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    Spanish, English

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