Exotic Animal Rescue

Florida, USA

$1595.00

 

The Experience

Interested in Volunteering? Come now and take part in this amazing volunteering opportunity at our Wildlife Survival Sanctuary located in Pasco County, Florida, which is about one-hour North of Tampa Florida towards the west coast of Florida!

This is a unique opportunity offered at the sanctuary allowing you to work with not only domestic animals but wild and exotic animals as well! All animals at the sanctuary originated from situations where the animals needed a new home because their owners could no longer care for them. When you participate in this project, your main goal is to support the care of these wild animals in captivity and the conservation of their wild counterparts! This is an all-volunteer animal sanctuary, there is no paid staff. Time, energy and donations garnered from volunteers both domestic and international allows the sanctuary to provide comfortable, large natural habitats to the animals to live out their lives peacefully. The work with the wildlife on the center is physically demanding and it is by no means an ‘easy holiday option’ therefore, volunteer for a minimum of 2 weeks and learn about the many issues that face these wild animals in captivity and get a better understanding about what it takes to care for them on a daily basis. Provide help, care and nurturing to these animal so that they me be able to fully live out their lives! 

 

This Is Why

  • Help at Predator Sanctuary based in Pasco County, Florida.
  • Learn how to care for a wide variety of domestic, wild and exotic animals.
  • Be a tour guide as part of an education program!
  • Explore Tampa Bay by hiking or biking, enjoy the attractions and entertainment that Tampa Bay has to offer on your leisure time, go wildlife viewing while enjoying the sun and much more!

 
 
Project Details
  • Key Start Dates
    Year Round (however try to book early in advance to be assured of a volunteer placement)
  • Package Prices
    03 weeks: $1,595 US
  • 04 weeks: $1,795 US
  • 06 weeks: $1,995 US
  • 08 weeks: $2,395 US
  • 12 weeks: $3,095 US
  • Volunteer duration
    Minimum of 2 weeks to a maximum of 12 weeks
  • Average Work hours
    On average 6 days per week, 45 hours
  • Number of Volunteers
    2/3
  • Volunteer accommodation
    Available
  • Housing Type
    You live in a private or semi-private room in the main sanctuary residence. Depending on how many other volunteers are attending this project at one time, you may share your room with 1 other volunteer (same sex).
  • Internet Access
    High speed internet included at the homestay
  • Who Are They Looking For?
    Love of the outdoors and a passion for wildlife is a priority. You should not be fussy, picky or hypersensitive about cleaning as this is one of the main chores.  We will not tolerate smoking, alcohol or the use of drugs. Please remember that you are a guest, therefore, respecting the rules is essential, this includes cleaning your room and the community kitchen after use.

Fast Facts: USA

Where? North America, USA

Country Size: 9,826,675 km2
3,794,101 sq mi 

Population density? 33.7/km2
87.4/sq mi

Country Famous for? Statue of Liberty, Yellowstone National Park, Old West, Rocky Mountains, Hamburgers & Hotdogs, Everglades, Alligators, Hawaii, Vulcano's, New York, Statue of Liberty, Las Vegas, Hollywood

When to visit: All year round, many activities all year round with great mixture culture and nature!

  • What's Included
    • Placement
      Exotic Animal Rescue
    • Accommodation

      You will be living in a private or semi-private room in the main sanctuary residence. Depending on how many other volunteers are attending this project at one time, you may share your room with 1 other volunteer (same sex). Beds are single bunk beds (two levels). All rooms have keys and they can be locked. Hot shower and laundry facilities are at your disposal. Facilities to relax after working hours are available. Each room has internet access available for personal use, which you are welcome to use any time you like and is free.
    • Meals
      Food is provided at the sanctuary and included in the fee. Full kitchen privileges are available for your use, special arrangements such as vegan or vegetarian food can be made. The food offered is not vegetarian unless you specify your special dietary needs before you arrive, this includes special dietary needs for medical conditions. Any special dietary needs will require an additional donation based on type.
    • Ongoing service
      If there are any problems with your volunteer project we are always there to help you and mediate between yourself and the organization.
    • Tours
      Through FRONTEERING you have the possibility to book tours in the USA after you have finished your volunteer project.
    • 24/7 Emergency contact
      If there are any problems during you stay in Vancouver you can reach us 24/7 to assist you.

    What's not included: Flights, Airport Pick up and Drop Off and Insurance

    Package Price:
    03 weeks: $1,595 US, 04 weeks: $1,795 US, 06 weeks: $1,995 US, 08 weeks: $2,395 US and 12 weeks: $3,095 US

  • RESPONSIBILITIES
    This project is not a tourist program! It is a project that is in need of volunteers who want to actively participate in the activities of proper care and maintenance of our animals. The sanctuary staff tries to accommodate all volunteers that do not have transportation and will make every attempt to take volunteers on trips into town for shopping or other off-site activities. However, volunteers must be prepared to spend quiet evenings or afternoons (due to extreme heat) alone, but computer access and television is available. You will actively participate in the daily routine of the sanctuary by participating in the following activities:
    • Clean animal habitats and their surrounding areas
    • To prepare and distribute the food for the animals;
    • Clean the food preparation areas before and after feeding;
    • Assist in animal enrichment activities;
    • Assist in operant conditioning;
    • Construction and maintenance of animal habitats;
    • To be a tour guide as part of our education program;
    • Assist in the general grounds maintenance of the sanctuary.
    • Helping with events
  • TASKS AND DUTIES

    During your time at the project you will be supervised by one of the sanctuary staff members. The work can be hard and strenuous at times but is very gratifying as you are making a difference in the lives of these animals. A sense of responsibility and a serious commitment to abide by our sanctuary safety rules is key in any activity because you will be too close to dangerous wild animals. The projects daily tasks and special projects will determine your schedule but you will also be allowed time for having fun and relaxing on or off property.

  • Requirements, Guidelines & Policies
    • Required to commit to a minimum of 2 weeks and no more than 12 weeks.s
    • You must respect and love animals;
    • You must be tolerant towards others and abide by all sanctuary rules, any violation of a sanctuary rule is grounds for immediate dismissal and you will not be eligible for a refund;
    • You must welcome team work but also be able to work alone;
    • NO SMOKING is allowed on the property outside of a vehicle during fire season.  Otherwise, smoking is permitted only in designated areas, outside of the view of the public.  Cigarette butts must be picked up and disposed of immediately.
    • You must be able to speak and understand English;  
    • Age: 18 and older
    • You must vaccinate for Tetanus; it is preferred that you email this proof via email to the volunteer coordinator prior to your arrival;
    • You must have a life and accident insurance for the period that you are going to be at the sanctuary.
    • No animal allergies
  • Volunteer Benefits
    • The opportunity to work with a wide variety of animals ranging from domestic to exotic species!
    • The opportunity to work with a great team of staff and other volunteers.
    • The opportunity to explore the beautiful nature of Florida!
  • Fast Facts
    • Project location
      Florida, USA
    • Area Famous For
      Everglades, Miami, Beaches, Palm trees, great weather, Alligators, Florida Panther, Orlando, Disney World
    • When to visit
      All year round!
    • Wildlife viewing and Entertainment
      Great opportunities to see many different species of reptiles, birds and also mammals in the Nearby State Parks and many activities such as fishing, swimming, hiking, mountain biking, wildlife viewing, etc.!
  • Itinerary & Details
    Day 1 - Arrive in Tampa, Florida, USA;
    You will arrive in Tampa where you will then catch your shuttle from the airport to the closest pickup location. You will be met at and transferred to your quarters on the project site!
    For 2 - 12 weeks - Help and care for the animals that calls the sanctuary home!
    For the coming weeks you will have a great time working with many different kinds of animals You will have to make your own travel arrangements to Tampa, Florida, USA.
    Your last day - Y
    ou will be transferred back to the airport to take a flight back home. Of course it is possible to extend your stay and travel around; we can help you with trips and/or accommodations you would like to arrange. 

  • Accommodation

    You live in a private or semi-private room in the main sanctuary residence. Depending on how many other volunteers are attending this project at one time, you may share your room with 1 other volunteer (same sex). Beds are single bunk beds (two levels) or onw twin bed. All rooms have keys and they can be locked. Hot shower and laundry facilities are at your disposal. Facilities to relax after working hours are available. Each room has internet access available for personal use, which you are welcome to use any time you like and is free. 

    Things to bring from home

    • We advise you to bring light and old clothing; you are going to get dirty working with the animals. You will be working in rain and mud or in a very dry heat, depending on the season. During the months of February and March you may want to bring a sweater and jacket as it does get cold. Any other time of year is marked by extreme heat and rain.
    • Work clothes: Long pants and shorts, bring closed shoes, long and short sleeve shirts and tank tops. Make sure you do not bring new shoes that you have not worn before, as you will do a lot of walking. You can bring clothes for leisure activities such as beach ware, evening ware or just some nice clothes to go to a casual dinner in. Towels, soap, shower necessities, tooth paste are all included unless you have personal preferences and you can bring your own.
    • Miscellaneous items such as; sunglasses, hat or cap, sunscreen lotion, swimsuit, clothing (long trousers that dry quickly, shorts, T-shirts & shirts with long and short sleeves, sweatshirt), waterproof jacket, comfortable shoes (sneakers, sandals), spare glasses for those who wear them, camera and personal items.

    Meals

    Meals will be provided at the sanctuary. Full kitchen privileges are available for your use, special arrangements such as vegan or vegetarian food can be made. The food offered is not vegetarian unless you specify your special dietary needs before you arrive, this includes special dietary needs for medical conditions.

    Location

    The Sanctuary is located in Pasco County, Florida, which is about one-hour North of Tampa Florida towards the west coast of Florida. Pasco County is one of the fastest growing counties in Florida. The sanctuary is located in a very rural area but there are already signs of development. The facility is very close to another larger city named Brooksville. Although rural, there are many stores, restaurants and densely populated areas nearby The sanctuary is also close to Crystal River, where you can experience natural springs and take diving trips, take part in underwater photography tours, ecology tours, and bird and wildlife identification. Crystal River is also home of the only growing herd of West Indian manatees. They congregate here because of the warm waters flowing to the surface from the Florida Aquifer in local springs. There are various opportunities in the area to go canoeing along some of the most beautiful rivers in Florida such as the Pithlachascotee River that runs through New Port Richey. Canoeing or kayaking Florida’s rivers allows for extensive native wildlife viewing, you will encounter alligators, an extensive variety of native wild birds, and other wildlife.

Hoi Yusuf,

 

It has been more than a half year ago since I made my booking at fronteering to join a wilflife sanctuary in Tampa Florida. Since a couple days/weeks I returned home and it is with great pleasure to let you know that I had a truly amazing experience with my volunteer program.

 

For the duration of a month (June) I stayed with the Wildlife Sanctuary. They really welcomed me in their home and where able to provide me with a really unique experience. Every morning I woke up to find leopards, tigers, mountain lions, lemurs and many more wild animals in my backyard. The staff from the sanctuary had a clear vision in regard to interaction with the animals, which they try to keep as limited as possible. However in the course of my 4 weeks stay they enabled me to still have some interact with the animals.

The work I was doing was a realistic representation of the work that needs to be done at a sactuary. Cleaning cages, food preperation, feeding, property maintanance and animal enrichment where some of our most common shores.

 

I want to thank Fronteering for helping me find this place and make my adventure happen. It was a unique experince that I will never forget.

For future volunteers; be prepared to get dirty, cleaning cages or having to prepare big (bloody) portions of meat as this is a daily thing. As well as speaking a minimum level of english is strongly recommended. Some of the volunteers will provide guided tours to visitors. Being able to speak english makes this significantly easier. And however it is a wildlife sanctuary, volunteers need to realise that there's a lot of the work to be done there's also no petting of these animals. They need to have a realistic view of the work that needs to be done.

 

Thank you again for your help, I really enjoyed it!

 

Kind regards,

Renske

 

Hello Fronteering,

 

I would like to thank you very much for being so nice to our son Vincent, who has just spent 4 weeks as a volunteer at you Predator Sanctuary FL Project.

I’m looking forward to seeing all the photos and listening to all that Vincent will have to tell us from these 4 weeks when back home.

Ever since he was a child, Vincent has loved animals, especially cats, our small ones, and the big wild cats. Watching them free in South Africa was magic, but approaching them and caring for them as he did with you was a dream, and this was certainly a fantastic experience for Vincent. 

Vincent’s father and I are happy he could live this, and especially with passionate people such as you.

 

So, as I doubt you will ever come to visit us in Aix en Provence, I thank you again for Vincent and why not, I may want one day to go volunteer as well before I get too old!

 

Best regards,

 

Catherine

 

My time at the  Predator Sanctuary, Florida

I always knew I wanted to do volunteering work with animals one day. After my studies I finally had time to do so and spend some time at an animal sanctuary. While I was looking for the perfect project on the Internet, I came across the Fronteering website. On it I found a project in Florida which involved working with my big cats and other exotic animals. Since I was always fascinated with big cats especially and have never been to Florida before, my choice was clear. 

 

When I arrived at the project one of the owners and another international volunteer welcomed me. They showed me my room and around the property. My room was lovely and very cozy. I loved that it had pictures of the animals on the walls. I had enough time to make myself at home before starting the work. The owners and the other volunteer took plenty of time to make me get used to the tasks. My daily work included tasks such as cleaning cages, preparing the food for the animals, doing enrichment and supporting visitor tours. The highlight of every day was the feeding of the animals. It was amazing to get so close to the big cats. 

 

The sanctuary is home to tigers, leopards, cougars, bob cats, a serval, turtles, emus, lemurs, several small cats and one dog. I grew especially fond of the tigers and one of the leopards. Sometimes they even allowed us to pet them a little bit – of course while staying outside the cage. The animals have sad background stories as most of them were previously not kept in a species-appropriate environment.  I was very happy to see they have now found a great forever home as they cannot be let out in the wild anymore. The owners spend a lot of time enriching their and caring for their health. The sanctuary is a not-for-profit facility which really does focus on the wellbeing of its inhabitants. 

 

The owners of the sanctuary were really committed and wanted me to have a great time in Florida – which of course I did. They did everything possible to show me around the area during the short time I was there. In my free time I went kayaking in Weeki Wachee Springs and swam with the manatees in Crystal River. I even managed to visit the Kennedy Space Center and Universal Orlando. All of that was amazing. 

 

My time in Florida was magical and I would go back in a heartbeat. 

 

Ariane, volunteer from Germany 

 

 

 

 

 

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