Rural Wildlife Caretaker

location
4 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Perfect 4.6  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Volunteer in Canada and help us rescue and rehabilitate orphaned and injured animals!
  • Wildlife Rehabilitation Center can be very intense but very worth it!
  • Explore Ontario with fellow volunteers!

Highlights

  • Volunteer in Canada and help us rescue and rehabilitate orphaned and injured animals!
  • Wildlife Rehabilitation Center can be very intense but very worth it!
  • Explore Ontario with fellow volunteers!
  • Meet like-minded volunteers from all over the world!


  • Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    This project is located in the beautiful Ontario. You will have the opportunity to help, rescue and rehabilitate orphaned animals!

    This great volunteer project is located in beautiful and lake filled Ontario not far from Canada's famous great lakes. You will have the opportunity to help, rescue and rehabilitate orphaned and injured animals!

    They are in need for help all year round. This wildlife centre specializes in the care ...

    About the program

    This great volunteer project is located in beautiful and lake filled Ontario not far from Canada's famous great lakes. You will have the opportunity to help, rescue and rehabilitate orphaned and injured animals!

    They are in need for help all year round. This wildlife centre specializes in the care and rehabilitation of small to large animals. The work with the wildlife on the centre is physically demanding and it is by no means an "easy holiday option"! Daily care of wildlife animals can be very difficult. The minimum duration is 4 weeks and maximum duration of stay is 12 weeks. This gives the animals a chance to get to know and trust you, and it requires a little time to learn their routine. Volunteers will be working at least 8 hours per day and 6 days a week, depending on the animals intake. 

    The project is set in the middle of “cottage country” and in a pretty remote location. There is no bus service in the area, but we do arrange to take volunteers into one of the nearby towns regularly to buy groceries. Several lakes are nearby and is ideal for swimming and for paddling.  

    Working at a Wildlife Rehabilitation Center can be very intense at times because of the hours we sometimes have to keep. There may be evening feedings.  Volunteers will be expected to be involved in all aspects of the shelter. Your job will include feeding, food preparation, cleaning, laundry, administering treatment, participating in building projects, painting, etc...

    Requirements:
    • Required to commit to a minimum of 4 weeks and no more than 12 weeks
    • Must complete 2-4 days of training and shadow a senior volunteer before starting independent shifts
    • NO SMOKING is allowed on the property.
    • Strong work ethics are required: reliable, responsible, honest, good sense of humour, dependable, physically and mentally fit.
    • Age: 18+
    • No animal allergies
    • Current tetanus vaccination
    • Good physical stamina and health.
    • A love for animals and some general experience of caring for an animal is a must!
    • Must read and agree to abide by guidelines and ethics
    • Ability to work independently and as a team member
    • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
    • Good knowledge of the English
    • Training is provided.
    • A valid driver’s license would be an asset, but is not required
    You will volunteer along side international volunteers and local volunteers as well as local staff who will guide and train you during your stay. There is no specific skills or equipment needed to take part in this program.

    Typical day

    Volunteers and Volunteers are the backbone of the organization. It is these individuals, who give freely of their time, that make caring for all the animals possible. The wildlife shelter is run by a dedicated group of volunteers.
    • Cleaning and disinfecting cages, work spaces, and equipment
    • Preparing ...

    Typical day

    Volunteers and Volunteers are the backbone of the organization. It is these individuals, who give freely of their time, that make caring for all the animals possible. The wildlife shelter is run by a dedicated group of volunteers.
    • Cleaning and disinfecting cages, work spaces, and equipment
    • Preparing food and feeding animals on a schedule
    • Feeding animals by gavage (a tube into the stomach) and hand-feeding
    • Administering medications, basic first aid and fluid therapy to wildlife
    • Capturing, handling, and restraining injured and orphaned wild animals
    • Keeping animal records, Observing and recording changes in an animal's health or behavior
    • Maintaining and tidying the grounds at the rehabilitation centre
    • Some public education work and Minor repairs of cages and enclosures.

    Free-time activities

    Volunteers can enjoy many activities during their days off. They have the opportunity to go hiking a the local mountains, visiting the lakes during the summer for swimming and paddling or visit lone of the local skii areas during winter. However, these activities are covered by the volunteers ...

    Free-time activities

    Volunteers can enjoy many activities during their days off. They have the opportunity to go hiking a the local mountains, visiting the lakes during the summer for swimming and paddling or visit lone of the local skii areas during winter. However, these activities are covered by the volunteers expense.


    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (intermediate level)

    Required Documents

    CV, Resume, Letter of Motivation, Two pics and Signed Policies and Liability form (provided during application process)

    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, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 09:00 - 17:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by Fronteering Travel

    Accommodation :A bunkhouse on the property which volunteers will be living in.
    Hostels : You will need to stay 1 night at a hostel in Toronto.
    Mail-holding service :You can use FRONTEERINGS office as a reliable address to have your mail delivered
    Ongoing service and 24/7 Emergency contact

    Accommodation

    A bunkhouse on the property which volunteers will be living in. There is a living room, kitchen, and dining room attached to the kitchen. Volunteers will have to share their bed room. Wireless internet provided. Linens and towels will be provided.

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Airport Pickup at Pearson International Airport

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

    Food & Beverages

    Food, snacks or beverages are at extra costs.

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Pearson International Airport (YYZ) in Toronto. We assist you to find cheap flights to Canada. 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 Canada provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

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

    Details on arrival

    Key start dates are from April to September. 

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

    Program fees

    4 weeks (min. stay) 1,292€
    6 weeks 1,342€
    8 weeks 1,392€
    10 weeks 1,441€
    12 weeks (max. stay) 1,491€
    Average fees 223€/week

    Program fees

    223€ per week 4 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    4 - 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 Fronteering Travel during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


    Meet your organization

    Fronteering Travel

    Perfect 4.6 rating (87 reviews)

    Non-profit - founded in 2010

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Excellent response rate

    Coordinated by

    Patrick

    Spoken languages: Dutch, English, German

    About the project

    Fronteering arranges volunteering programs related to wildlife and indigenous people in less visited places of this world as well as more unique destinations.

    Meet your organization

    Fronteering arranges volunteering programs in some of the last frontiers of this world as well as more unique locations that other organizations ignore. From Field research programs in the Far north of Canada and Husky ranches in the Canadian Arctic to Amerindian community programs and wildlife conservation in the Amazon Rainforest and everything in between.

    Most of our programs Focus on either wildlife rehabilitation and release, wildlife conservation & research or involve local indigenous communities.

    Fronteering currently offers programs in Canada, Guyana, USA, Australia, Brazil, Borneo, South Africa, Madagascar and Panama.

    True good causes: FRONTEERINGS volunteer abroad projects are either existing local projects or projects that are build from the group up by FRONTEERING. What these projects have in common is that you will be supporting a true good cause! You will have the opportunity to help where the need is the greatest. Our projects focus on helping the local communities, wildlife, indigenous people and the environment in cooperation with the local/indigenous communities. We focus on true volunteer projects where your effort really makes a difference. That’s why through Fronteering you will rehabilitate injured & orphaned wildlife with the goal to release the animal. That is the reason why will not send you to some far southern country to cuddle with tame lions & tigers with any real purpose. If you want to volunteer abroad with a real purpose, contact us!

    Safety: At FRONTEERING we do our outmost best to provide the safety measures needed for our Volunteer Abroad projects and Adventure Travel Trips. However due to the fact that many of our projects and trips involve wild animals and/or are in remote locations there is a small element of risk involved. Not all of our projects and trips are for the faint at heart however we do cater to those of all walks of life. If you are not too sure about the suitability of a Volunteer Abroad project or an Adventure Travel trip then feel free to ask as we are always ready to answer any questions or discuss any doubts that come to mind. For more information please check our Safety & In-country Support section before you volunteer abroad.

    A real adventure: We do not want our volunteers to end up trying to safe or clean up some small patch of rainforest which in some places they might call a wilderness. Instead you will volunteer in the immense jungle of the Amazon rainforest or venture in to the vast Canadian wilderness! Our volunteer abroad projects are situated in the remote areas of the world and we focus on countries and regions with the lowest population densities. We at FRONTEERING focus on what works; from sleeping in the jungle underneath the stars with nothing more than your own private hammock to back-to-basic cabins in the northern tundra with a cozy smothering fireplace and no electricity! When you volunteer abroad with FRONTEERING you can be sure it will be adventure.

    Off the beaten path: With FRONTEERING volunteer abroad projects you will venture to places less visited. We focus on places that are fairly undiscovered where the nature, wildlife and indigenous cultures are still common. You will have the great opportunity to see these amazing places while they are still unspoiled and pure. It is these places where there is the most to lose but even more to gain through successful conservation work and sustainable tourism. 

    Community involvement: Foremost when volunteering abroad the well being of the community should come first. For all of our trips we use local guides, local transportation and local communities so that through sustainable tourism we can help to protect the environment, wildlife and sustain the way of life of indigenous cultures & communities. More and more and governments choose the long term benefit of sustainable tourism over the short term gain of mining and logging. A good example is Gabon which in 2002 after recommendations from environmental researchers set up 13 new national parks. The government of Guyana is currently considering protecting its entire rainforest region which still covers 80% of the country. Hopefully through our combined effort this dream will one day become true.

    Mission
    FRONTEERING specializes in organizing volunteer abroad projects to preserve the environment, wildlife and indigenous people throughout the world while giving the volunteers a real and raw experience in some of the most beautiful and often remote places in the world to make a true difference.

    Vision
    FRONTEERING strives to provide real off the beaten path volunteer abroad experiences worldwide that satisfy the need for volunteer projects that truly makes a difference for the environment, wildlife and indigenous people.


    87 reviews · rating4.6

    Shelley rating5

    2019 at Rural Wildlife Caretaker

    I am really not good at this but here It goes. I am from Georgia USA and I needed to get some experience for my education back home. I am a biology student and I am planning to work in wildlife conservation and rescue after I graduate. I chose this program since it was mentioned that it gives the ...
    Chrissie rating5

    2018 at Rural Wildlife Caretaker

    I had a great time in Canada volunteering at the rescue center in Ontario. We were based about 2 hours from Toronto near some smaller towns. It was great to be rural while still being able to visit the nearby towns and on occasion Toronto when we had days off. The animals are absolutely adorable ...
    Shelly Dering rating5

    2018 at Rural Wildlife Caretaker

    I am really not good at this but here It goes. I am from Georgia USA and I needed to get some experience for my education back home. I am a biology student and I am planning to work in wildlife conservation and rescue after I graduate. I chose this program since it was mentioned that it gives the ...
    Marja Lindenberg rating5

    2016 at Rural Wildlife Caretaker

    This was my first experience volunteering abroad and I was quite nervous. I chose Canada as it seemed like a more easy going and safe destination. That was also exactly what it was. The people in Canada are just so friendly and Fronteering was also very helpful. I was taking care of animals during ...
    Chris H rating5

    2024 at Critter Caretaker

    I volunteered at the critter care taker program in Canada in May just 1 month after I turned 18. I was quite nervous and my parents also and so I decided to book through Fronteering instead of trying to arrange it myself. This made it very easy and I felt a lot better. I did travel to Vancouver a ...
    Having found an awesome opportunity to partake in a husky care taker placement in Canada, I was assisted in organizing the placement by the helpful and (patient!) team at Fronteering. The organization was dedicated to helping me contact and communicate with my host organization. I always felt I ...

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