|
The main impetus behind this wildlife sanctuary is to give professional levels of care to neglected, abused, unwanted or confiscated exotic animals. Resident animals range from big cats, such as leopards, tigers and cougars to primates, wolves, bears and native American animals. Volunteers have the chance to care for the Sanctuary’s animals in its tranquil and beautiful surroundings.
The Volunteer Project
The Wildlife Sanctuary is reliant on volunteers to help support the centre and care for the injured, orphaned and rescued animals. Whilst at the sanctuary, some of the tasks you may assist with include animal care, food preparation and feeding, cleaning cages, cage construction, data entry fundraising, sorting fresh produce, grounds maintenance, rotating food supplies and enrichment.
The centre requires volunteers to carry out tasks wherever needed. If you have a certain skill such as landscaping, carpentry mechanics or maintenance you will have the chance to use these skills during your time at the sanctuary.
Occasionally you may have the opportunity to help with tour groups in educating the public as to why wild animals are not good pets, and about animal endangerment and extinction.
Programme Age Limit
Minimum age is 21 years, maximum dependent on applicant’s health.
Project Support
During your stay in Florida you have the guidance and support of the staff onsite. They give you competent assistance and help you with any questions you have or advice you may need during your stay. As well as this you are given an emergency contact for onsite staff and also a UK 24-hour emergency contact number before you depart, so that you can get in touch with our staff at any time you need to.
Project Orientation
You will have a day to settle in and then will be given a detailed orientation. Volunteers receive an orientation that includes:
- Essential animal care techniques
- Diet & formula preparation
- Proper housing and bedding
- Cleaning
- Enrichment
- Maintenance
- Safety regulations and procedures
- Training for the area you will be working in
Accommodation & Meals
You will stay in shared living quarters either in static caravans or small cabins on the sanctuary grounds. The accommodation is comfortable but basic with private bathrooms equipped with hot showers, air conditioning, and electricity, TV, VCR and DVD. Linen is provided.
A full kitchen and laundry facilities are available in the main house. There is a phone onsite that you can use with a prepaid phone card.
Female volunteers usually are accommodated in the cabins while male volunteers stay in the static caravans. Meals are home-cooked and most of the cooking and cleanup duties are rotated among participants. Vegetarian or vegan meals can be provided on request.
|
