Scottish Husky Ranch Caretaker

location
4 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Perfect 4.6  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Join our Husky Ranch Scotland project to experience off-grid living, dog care and best of all, dog mushing!
  • Volunteers and Interns are the backbone and the main force that pushes the organization forward!
  • Most days will start and end with feeding the 56 huskies!

Highlights

  • Join our Husky Ranch Scotland project to experience off-grid living, dog care and best of all, dog mushing!
  • Volunteers and Interns are the backbone and the main force that pushes the organization forward!
  • Most days will start and end with feeding the 56 huskies!
  • Explore the local village with fellow volunteers!
  • Meet like-minded volunteers from all over the world!


  • Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples

    About the program

    Visit Scotland to have an opportunity to be a part of our Husky Ranch Scotland project to experience off-grid living, dog care and best of all, dog mushing!

    Combining breath-taking scenery, one-of-a-kind art and science museums, and castles found nowhere else, Scotland is one of the most gorgeous places on earth! While visiting this amazing place, take the opportunity to be a part of our Husky Ranch Scotland project to experience off-grid living, dog ...

    About the program

    Combining breath-taking scenery, one-of-a-kind art and science museums, and castles found nowhere else, Scotland is one of the most gorgeous places on earth! While visiting this amazing place, take the opportunity to be a part of our Husky Ranch Scotland project to experience off-grid living, dog care and best of all, dog mushing!

    Scotland seduces travellers with its unswerving beauty and opulent history. Being the U. K’s northernmost country, Scotland is known to be a land of vast landscapes, mountains interspersed with glacial valleys and lakes. If you are looking to experience the rugged lifestyle then this is the destination for you.

    Our Husky Ranch Scotland project is a large kennel comprising of approximately 50 Sprint racing Siberian Huskies, other domestic animals and livestock. The owners of the Ranch are both very successful at racing large teams in Dryland Competition and they also enjoy racing on snow at international Championship level. One of the founders is on the board of the World Sleddog Association as director of Dryland racing and is involved in organising races internationally. They also provide husky rides for members of the public, usually running three teams per day, approx. 5 or 6 miles per team, with passengers, up to 5 days per week. Apart from their passenger rides, they also train their dogs for racing, and will undertake training without passengers to work on speed training.

    This project has excellent opportunities in winter however summer has its own advantages and many opportunities to hike, mountain bike, Kayaking, visit nearby castles and so much more! The work on the ranch is physically demanding and it is by no means an’ easy holiday option’! The minimum duration of stay is 4 weeks. Come be a part of this exciting and unforgettable experience!

    Volunteers and Interns are the backbone and the main force that pushes the organization forward. Attitude is the first thing the project looks at. It is always important to show respect, take initiative, ask questions and to get involved in all the activities that are done at the project. 

    You will take part in some of the following tasks:
    • Visitors: Volunteers are responsible for welcoming and talking to visitors for husky ride experiences and kitting them out in protective clothing prior to their ride.
    • Sled dogs: You are responsible for Feeding, hydrating, Harnessing, hitching up teams, helping with training, walking old retired huskies, Grooming, free running exercise, poop scooping, kennel cleaning, changing straw beds, de-worming.
    • Sheep: Volunteers need to drive an ATV to inspect the sheep daily, help with gathering, handling and helping with sheep management tasks such as administering treatments, ear tagging, feeding, putting out mineral buckets, help with lambing, tube feeding colostrum & bottle feeding as necessary, castrating, moving sheep for shearing & record keeping.
    • Highland cows: You’ll have to drive an ATV to carryout daily routine checks, feeding & grooming young stock, help with cattle management tasks such as putting out mineral buckets, silage, moving cattle, assisting with vet checks & routine testing, Calving, tagging, castrating, de-horning, administering treatments, record keeping.
    • Cats: Feeding the neutered rescued feral cats
    • Farm & Forest: You’ll be Repairing fences, filling in pot-holes in the tracks, draining away water, clearing fallen branches & using a wood-chipper, creating new trails, cutting low branches, pisting trails in the snow.


    Typical day

    Most days will start and end with feeding the 56 huskies. Every day will be different but the care for the animals comes first!

    Typical day

    Most days will start and end with feeding the 56 huskies. Every day will be different but the care for the animals comes first!


    Free-time activities

    On time offs volunteers have lots of opportunities to visit Scotland and go Bird watching, exploring nature, Hill walking, hiking, fishing, water sports, camping, visiting the cities of Perth, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, visiting historic sites & castles, Museums, Art galleries, etc.

    Free-time activities

    On time offs volunteers have lots of opportunities to visit Scotland and go Bird watching, exploring nature, Hill walking, hiking, fishing, water sports, camping, visiting the cities of Perth, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, visiting historic sites & castles, Museums, Art galleries, etc.


    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, Application Form, Liability Waiver Form (provided during application process) and Volunteer Policies Form

    Nationality Restrictions

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

    Other Skills

    Drivers License not required but definitely an added benefit to both yourself and the host.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 08:00 - 16:30

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by Fronteering Travel

    The fee includes:
    • Placement
    • Airport Pick up & Transfer
    • Accommodation
    • Mail-holding service
    • Ongoing service
    • Tours
    • 24/7 Emergency contact

    Airport Pickup at Edinburgh Airport

    You will be picked up from the Edinburgh International Airport and from there, you’ll be meet and picked up then transferred to your accommodation on the project site

    Accommodation

    Shared back to basic cabins/statics.

    Internet Access

    Limited access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Food & Beverages

    Food, snacks or beverages are at extra costs.

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Edinburgh Airport (EDI) in Edinburgh. We assist you to find cheap flights to United Kingdom. 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 United Kingdom provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

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

    Details on arrival

    All year round (book early in advance to be assured of a volunteer placement)

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

    Program fees

    4 weeks (min. stay) 1,791€
    6 weeks 2,190€
    8 weeks 2,489€
    10 weeks 2,788€
    12 weeks (max. stay) 3,187€
    Average fees 356€/week

    Program fees

    356€ 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

    Nadia Riad rating5

    2024 at Scottish Husky Ranch Caretaker

    I volunteered here earlier this year and I had a great time. Unfortunately I could not go in winter due to some other obligations I had so I knew I was going to miss out on the dogsledding season. Luckily because it was still quite cold in April and May we were still able to do some dry training and ...
    Théo SMITH rating4.8

    2023 at Scottish Husky Ranch Caretaker

    I spent 6 weeks there, it was a great experience. The hosts are super friendly and very welcoming. The dogs are adorable and kind. The landscapes are magnificent and unique If you are looking for a new experience, go ...
    mariette Hogendoorn rating4.6

    2020 at Scottish Husky Ranch Caretaker

    I loved my stay with Mary, John and the rest of de family. Their ranch is beatifull and the love they have for there dogs and al the other farm animals is wonderfull. Everybody in de family made me feel very welcom. Mary is such a happy and cheerful woman and I had great admiration for Doreen who ...
    Solène Lefranc rating5

    2019 at Scottish Husky Ranch Caretaker

    This summer, I volunteered at this husky ranch for 8 weeks. I would like to thank John and Mary for having welcomed me during this period. My stay at home was very rewarding and exciting! I recommend it to all lovers of animals and nature! John and Mary are generous and very cultured people, ...
    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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    Dutch, English, German

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