Florida Wildlife Care

• Placement
  
  Florida Wildlife Care
• Airport Pickup
  
  
  We will be waiting for you at the airport and transfer you to your Homestay accommodation nearby the project.
• Accommodation
  
  A Private room with a American homestay nearby the center reachable by bicycle and public transport. Meals are not included but can be included at extra cost. You will have access to a full kitchen where you can cook yourself.
• 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 Florida you can reach us 24/7 to assist you.

The project runs a non-profit hospital and rehabilitation center providing care for native and migratory wildlife in Florida. The project is a fully equipped wildlife rehabilitation center and admits many patients per year including different species of birds and mammals. The goal of wildlife rehabilitation is to return sick, injured or orphaned wild animals back to the wild. At the project patient handling and human noises are kept to a minimum in an effort to reduce stress and maintain respect for the wild animal’s space. All volunteers participate with the staff in the daily activities of the rehabilitation center. Volunteers are supervised by staff rehabilitators. Some of your responsibilities:

• Foster care for the animals
• Cage cleaning
• Food prep
• Diet and water changing
• Laundry
• Washing Dishes
• Medical care & treatment
• Educating the public
• Helping with events

As a volunteer at the project you will need to be able to work in the outdoor Florida heat, not have allergies to wildlife and be willing to learn to handle wildlife while appreciating that they are wildlife. Animal care would include food preparation, cage cleaning, habitat and tank construction or maintenance, cleaning of the hospital, feeding, medical restraint, and other medical responsibilities as appropriate to the skills learned by the intern.
You will also be working in the hospital and outdoors caring for the animals in their charge.

• Required to commit to a minimum of 4 weeks
• Dedication to the work, purpose, mission, and philosophy of the organization
• Willingness and ability to keep your commitments; to be focused and paying attention to the animals at all times; to use common sense and thinking ability; to demonstrate initiative and yet be willing to ask questions when appropriate; to work independently, with minimal supervision or direction; to demonstrate good decision-making skills; to put the animals first; to learn each animal, with their names, species, personal history, disability, and at least their general natural history
• Commitment to the principles of honest and direct communica¬tion including
• 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.  Butts must be picked up and disposed of immediately.
• Strong work ethics are required: reliable, responsible, honest, good sense of humour, dependable, physically and mentally fit.  
• Age: 18 and older
• No animal allergies
• Must love animals and have good communication skills with people
• Must have tetanus vaccination and health insurance

• The opportunity to work with wild reptiles, birds and mammals s and learn the many aspects involved.
• The opportunity to work with a great team of staff and other volunteers
• The opportunity to explore the beautiful beaches and 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
  
  Great opportunities to see many different species of reptiles, birds and also mammals in the Nearby everglades and also great marine wildlife viewing opportunities in the warm waters of Florida!

Day 1 - Arrive in Florida;
You will arrive in the beautiful state of Florida where you will be met at the airport and transferred to your homestay accommodation near the project.
For 4 - 8 weeks - Help, rescue and rehabilitate orphaned and injured animals!
For the coming weeks you will have a great time working directly with many different kind of animals.
Your last day - you will transfer back to the airport to take a flight back home. Of course it is possible to extend your stay in and travel around; we can help you with trips and/or accommodation you would like to arrange.

You will live with a local family nearby the project. You will have a private bedroom with linen and towels, (please make sure that your room is cleaned before you leave, for the next volunteer) together with a shared bathroom with shower and a laundry room. You are responsible to clean and tidy your own room, shower and toilet (meals not included).

Things to bring from home

• Clothes for cold temperatures as well as for summer for warm temperatures. Make these clothes are allowed to get dirty. Make sure to bring gloves, a toque and warm socks with you.
• Comfortable walking shoes are essential, and you should also pack a raincoat and some sun block
• Linen and towels will be provided.

Meals

Meals are not included but you will be able to cook for yourself at the center. You can buy your groceries at a nearby supermarket

Location

Florida is an exciting destination for nature and wildlife enthusiasts. You will find a variety of activities to enjoy. Trough Public transport there is easy access to beaches as well as you will be nearly located at the amazing Everglades where you will have excellent opportunities for wildlife watching. There is also the opportunity to visit Miami!
Florida has many Great opportunities to go to the beach, enjoy watersports, bike, hike, work out, wildlife watch and much more!