Exotic Animal Rescue

• 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.

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

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.

• 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

• 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!

• 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.!

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 - You 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. 

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.