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Please Note: This program is temporarily unavailable. Check out our alternative programs in North America or schedule a one-on-one call with one of our expert volunteer advisors.
Experience living in Canada as you volunteer with native wildlife species. Work with injured animals to provide care and rehabilitate them!
Program Highlights:
Your Schedule at a Glance (Minimum two-week commitment)*:
Arrival Day, Sunday: Depending on your placement choice, you will arrive at Toronto Pearson International
Airport (YYZ) or Vancouver International Airport (YVR). You will be picked up at the airport and transferred to a hostel for an overnight stay.
Days 1-7, Monday-Sunday: Make your way to your project placement on Monday. Your days will be spent assisting at the local, non-profit wildlife rehabilitation center or nature park with their day-to-day operations. Tasks can include preparing wildlife housing and habitats, feeding onsite animals, providing animal care, cleaning wildlife enclosures and more. Volunteers will choose one of three placement options – two are in Vancouver and one is located in Toronto. Please see “Volunteer Work” section below for a description of each.
Remaining Weeks: The following weeks will have similar tasks and are dependent on the needs of the project. You will most likely have to do some work during the weekends as animals require constant care, however you can organise with your host if you wish to take some time to travel and explore. Departures are on a Sunday.
*Only one of three placement options (Toronto) has a minimum duration of two weeks. The first Vancouver placement has a minimum four-week commitment, and the second Vancouver option has a minimum eight-week commitment.
Please note: All volunteers must apply at least 8 weeks in advance for this project. Only volunteers who can enter Canada without a tourist visa are eligible to apply. Please check your eligibility status online before registering.
What’s Included
What’s not Included
Flights, visas (mandatory), travel health insurance, meals, personal expenses, departure transfer back to the airport upon completion of your project.
Placement Options:
Volunteers will choose their preferred location.
Vancouver, Option 1:
Volunteers at this small rescue center can work with birds, opossums and squirrels. Participants must join a for minimum duration of four weeks. This project is located in the mountains, and is approximately two hours away from the city area of Metro Vancouver. Accommodations for this program are in a homestay.
Vancouver, Option 2:
Volunteers can work with a center that works mostly with raccoons, bears and occasionally with deer. Volunteers must join for a minimum duration of eight weeks.
Toronto Option:
Volunteers can here can work with a local reptile center to care for snakes, turtles and more. Volunteers must join for a minimum duration of at least two weeks. This program is located an hour and a half north of Toronto.
Volunteer work at all varieties of our animal rescue centers is hands-on and may range from enclosure maintenance to feedings to data collection and observations. Other tasks may include promotion of the organization and maintaining the centers.
Some of your tasks may include:
Volunteers are also responsible for shared communal living duties, such as cooking, cleaning bathrooms and laundry.
A typical day: Schedules will vary depending on placement, but generally volunteers work between 25- 40 hours per week depending on the project and the season.
Please note: Specific tasks may vary depending on placement.
Holidays: For placements during the holidays listed below, volunteer work will begin on a Tuesday, not a Monday:
For more volunteering with wildlife projects, click here.
Please take note of this project’s minimum requirements:
Travel highlights depend on placement location.
© 2022 GOECO | All rights reserved
Develop & Design | Msite