Overview
Volunteer at an animal sanctuary in Florida USA

This project takes you to volunteer with animals in the US on a 90-acre animal sanctuary which provides care for nearly 150 exotic animals. Based in Florida, the sanctuary cares for exotic animals that have been removed from a situation of neglect or abuse, and who, if they could not be re-homed, would be destroyed. A place in the sanctuary for an animal is, therefore, a place for life, and help is needed in the feeding and cleaning of the animals, as well as to build habitats and maintain the existing ones. If you are planning to volunteer in the US or want to escape the stress of everyday life, volunteering with wildlife in the healing atmosphere of this peaceful, wooded animal sanctuary will be a rich and varied experience.

View Film Footage, images, blogs, volunteer stories from the field, volunteer video diaries and more at the programs media centre

This was a great experience. The project is a worthwhile and fulfilling cause, run by people who genuinely believe in what they're doing.

Martha, USA.

What Difference Does This Project Make?

When exotic animals are victims of abuse or neglect, authorities remove them from the situation but have nowhere for them to go. To prevent them from being destroyed, this sanctuary offers them lifetime care. It is accredited by the American Sanctuary Association and is a WSPA (World Society for the Protection of Animals) Member Society.

Highlights

Helping provide care to rescued, abused and neglected animals; learning about the wildlife from our dedicated team of staff; delivering food to the nocturnal animals in the evenings; and socialising around a campfire (in cooler weather) under the Chiki hut listening to the wolves howl.

Location

The sanctuary is located near Zolfo Springs, Florida in the United States of America. It is about one and a half hours drive from the Everglades or from Orlando. Despite being close to the famous theme parks, it is equally close to some of the best beaches found in the United States, especially the Sarasota and Bradenton beaches.

Field Conditions

You will be staying in shared living quarters located around two miles from the sanctuary, which are basic but comfortable. Accommodation is in a house, small cabins or travel trailers with water, electricity and air conditioning. Private bathrooms with hot showers, laundry facilities and a full kitchen are available in the main house. Meals are home-cooked and most of the cooking and cleanup duties are rotated among participants. Vegetarian or vegan meals are readily available upon request. There is even a pond with an island in it for taking an occasional swim!