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Australia

Volunteer at a Wildlife Shelter

Join the Wildlife Conservation Program in Australia and contribute towards protecting Mother Nature, being a responsible traveler.

Highlights

  • Incredible opportunity to volunteer for the native animals at a local wildlife shelter, taking care of the injured and orphaned animals
  • Get your hands dirty while feeding the animals, cleaning & maintenance, and enrichment work at the Shelter
  • Meet new friends from around the world and create an enriching experience for yourself
  • Gain first-hand work experience while working with local shelter owners and volunteers
Fai voluntariamente em um refúgio para animais selvagens

Overview

Volunteer as a caregiver in a Wildlife Rescue Shelter in Australia with Volunteering Solutions to get a chance to work alongside beautiful Australian animals and get involved in animal feeding, cleaning, maintenance and other activities. The Project is located in a small town near Holbrook, NSW and is 95 km northeast of Albury and 507km southwest of Sydney.

For decades, the project has rescued and rehabilitated sick, injured and orphaned native Australian wildlife and nurtured them back to health to be returned to the natural environment.

While the number of native animals needing help is increasing, resources are not high enough. Your contribution is enormous as the feeding schedule of the animals, especially the nursery is a busy one and the shelter needs surrogate mums to provide food for the babies and care for them.

Volunteers who come to this project are given a unique opportunity to work alongside beautiful Australian animals and are involved in animal feeding, cleaning, maintenance and enrichment. 

Since it receives no recurrent funding from governments, the shelter relies on the contribution of volunteers and donations from the public to keep it running. It has no paid staff and by volunteering at the project, you make a major contribution to the welfare of Australian wildlife. On a personal level, you have the satisfaction of helping to make a positive difference to the lives of these animals, and in the process, you may gain new skills and knowledge.

The objectives of the project are as follows :–

  • To raise and care for injured and orphaned wildlife.
  • Rehabilitate and release native animals back into their natural environment.
  • Training carers & volunteers in the appropriate care of native Australian wildlife.
  • Ensuring that we maintain the best standards of care.
  • Raising public awareness of wildlife issues.
  • Ensuring that the donations we receive are put to their most effective use in the rescue, rehabilitation and release of native Australian wildlife.
  • Maintaining a 24 hr/day, 7 days/week phone service to receive reports on sick, injured or orphaned native Australian animals.

If you're an animal lover, then this would surely be a delightful choice for you! Not only will you get to work for a noble cause, but it'll be a great chance for you to meet people from different parts of the world and explore Australia like never before! This program would be the best choice for high school/ college students, backpackers and gap year travelers who are looking for some meaningful work abroad.


Volunteer Work Schedule

Volunteer Work Schedule

Care for the animals is required 365 days a year and the project operates a flexible seven day working week. 

Each volunteer works at their own pace and has their own strengths and weaknesses. Volunteers are kindly asked to respect that not
everyone has the same abilities as you and may work at a different tempo to yourself. Everyone is at the project to help the animals and make
their contribution in their own way. Participants are welcome to speak to the project incharge if you feel you have been given too much or not enough work for your personal abilities.

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Volunteers play a key role in wildlife rescue and care. Not only will you be learning new skills and helping animals in need, you meet new
friends from around the world and create an enriching experience for yourself.

Volunteers must have enthusiasm, compassion for animals, be able to take directions and have a team spirit. No animal experience is
necessary, although representatives from relevant fields are more than welcome to contribute to the team.

Volunteer Duties & Daily Schedule generally include the following activities :-

  • Bottle feeding all young animals
  • Toileting young animals after feeds (please see the shelter owner if you are uncomfortable with this task as it must be done properly)
  • Exercising young animals
  • Assisting in rescue calls
  • Assisting in emergency medical treatment
  • Cleaning animal enclosures
  • Building / repairing animal enclosures/fences
  • Keeping the grounds clean and tidy

Project Requirement

Project Requirement

Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project. You need to have an open mind and a flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference. Participants must be fit and healthy at the time of joining the program. Every volunteer is required to show proof of Tetanus vaccination prior to joining the program. The program is suitable for those with a keen interest in animal and wildlife conservation. However, the program is open to all and you do not need the necessary qualifications to join the program. Participants should be prepared to work outdoors and should be fit and healthy.

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Living

Living

Airport Transfer
Volunteers need to fly into Sydney to reach Albury in NSW. You can take a flight from Sydney to Albury Airport (code ABX) where you will be picked up by the project staff. Alternatively you can take a bus to Albury or Wagga Wagga from Sydney or Melbourne and will be picked up by the team. Please note that pickup from Albury airport is only provided between 9am - 4pm.

Orientation
Volunteers are picked up by a staff member at Albury and transferred to the project. Once you arrive, you are shown to your room and given a brief induction regarding first aid, safety, toilets, showers, laundry, generator power and work duties. You are given instructions on how to behave around the wild animals that wander around the shelter. Depending upon when you arrive and how busy the shelter is at the time, you may have some time to settle in, relax and acclimatise or you may be thrust into work straight away. Make yourself at home and it becomes familiar very quickly.

Please note : Do not handle the animals unless you are asked to and shown how to.

The first week involves lots of on the job training as each volunteer learns the different tasks involved in caring for the animals and the different jobs that need to be carried out to support the animals and the maintenance of the project. There is always something to do so feel free to use your initiative and suggest a new project you are interested in. You are briefed by the carers however other volunteers can assist and you quickly learn the routine. As the carers work other jobs, you may be left to care for the animals during the day unsupervised. This is an opportunity to utilize and strengthen your leadership skills.

Accommodation
Accommodation is a homestay in the carer’s house. There are two rooms, so depending upon how many volunteers are there at a time, you may find yourself with your own room. There is plenty of space for your personal belongings and your bags. Please ensure that your cameras and phones are charged overnight so you have them available to take some snaps during the day while you are working.

There is a toilet and shower on site. The water comes from a rainwater tank, however due to continuous drought seasons in Australia,
rainwater is a scarce commodity, and you may not be able to shower every day. When showering, volunteers are asked to keep
showers short.

Meals
Volunteers are provided three meals a day, morning tea, drinking water, tea, coffee and sugar. Volunteers are responsible for buying any additional items they would like to purchase from the local town. The cooking is usually shared. Everyone welcomes a new chef !

Volunteers are asked to assist with the shopping and take part in the meal planning and/or preparation to ensure that their dietary needs are catered for.

Domestic duties are shared by all the volunteers including meal preparation, washing and tidying up.

During Free Time
During free time volunteers get involved in popular pas times such as  taking photographs, reading, blogging and spending time with the animals. Volunteers are not always given an opportunity to visit the local town, however, there are outings and sightseeing opportunities scheduled only if the shelter is quiet. Please note that not all volunteers get the opportunity to go on outings and the expectation is that they will work a 7 day work week.


Dates

Dates

November

13

20

27

December

04

11

Available

Filling Fast

Booked Out


Costs

Duration
Program Fee
Choose your currency
1 Week $583
2 Weeks $1156
3 Weeks $1734
4 Weeks $2210

Please Note: An application fee of is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

What are you Paying For?

  • Pre-departure support
  • Project Information Pack
  • Transfers from airport/bus station/train station to the project
  • On the job training
  • Accommodation
  • Meals
  • In Country Support
  • Certificate of Participation(On Request)

What's NOT Included?

  • Flights
  • Return transfers to airport
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Spending
  • Visas

FAQ's

Application and Program Details

Can I volunteer as part of a group?

Does Vol Sol provides a reference or a certificate after program completion?

When should I apply for the conservation volunteer program in Australia?

What are the Program locations in Australia?

Does Vol Sol provides discount if I choose more than one program or if I am a returning Volunteer?

How long does it take to process my application? Will my application be accepted?

Can I volunteer in more than one starting location within Australia ?

Will I be in contact with animals?

Are there any necessary requirements to participate in the Australian volunteer programs?

When do I need to arrive in Australia for my program? What will happen once I arrive in Australia?

Health and Safety

How safe is Australia?

What immunizations/vaccinations will I need?

Do I need to buy a health insurance?

Accommodation and Living

Can I know more about the accommodation and food arrangements?

For how many hours do I have to volunteer in a day?

Can vegetarians and vegans be accommodated?

Are there more expenses once I arrive in Australia?

How do I get to the accommodation and the program location?

Where can I change my money in Australia? Are there ATMs in Australia?

Connect with Past Volunteers

How can I connect with past Volunteering Solutions Australia alumni and other former and current volunteers?

Flights and Visa

Do I need a Visa to go to Australia?

What are the recommended airlines to fly to Australia ?


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