Lend a hand to animals and see the world
Animals melt our hearts, especially when they’re in distress, but after a tear or two, then what? Helping out allows us to turn our angst into action. Here are some volunteer opportunities that will allow you to help animals while introducing you to other cultures and places.
PERFORMING ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY San Andreas, Calif.
Mission: PAWS helps investigate and document incidents of abuse of exotic and performing animals and has built a refuge where they are well cared for.
How you can help: “Seeing the Elephant” education weekends give volunteers a chance to help in the sanctuary in San Andreas, which is not usually open to the public.
Costs: $800; $1,300 for two people sharing a room. Two-day program includes two nights in a B&B, breakfasts and vegetarian lunches. One-day program; $250.
Info: www.pawsweb.org
COLORADO WOLF & WILDLIFE CENTER Divide, Colo.
Mission: The CWWC creates natural habitats for canids that cannot be released back into the wild.
How you can help: Volunteers work on landscaping, raking, mowing and so on. With training, volunteers can lead tours and become more involved with the wolves.
Costs: None, but volunteers provide their own food and lodging.
Info: www.wolfeducation.org
PROFAUNABAJA’S SEA TURTLE CAMP ADVENTURE
(Todos Santos Eco Adventures), Todos Santos, Mexico
Mission: ProFaunaBaja works to protect endangered olive ridley marine turtles.
How you can help: At Sea Turtle Camp volunteers search for nesting female olive ridley sea turtles, assist in relocating their eggs to a protected “nursery,” look for new nests and perhaps help hatchlings find their way to the sea.
Costs: $125 a night at Sea Turtle Camp with tent, cot, dinner and breakfast. (Nesting takes place August-November; best around the full moon). $250 a night for year-round research/tagging trips. Includes meals and dome tents.
Info: www.profaunabaja.org; tosea.net/SeaTurtles.aspx?M=54
TOUCAN RESCUE RANCH Costa Rica
Mission: Toucan Rescue Ranch creates captive breeding programs for Costa Rica’s six species of toucans and cares for rescued birds, sloths and other animals.
How you can help: Volunteers chop fruits and vegetables, feed birds, clean cages, make bird toys and do yard work.
Costs: $50 a week, not including accommodations.
Info: toucanrescueranch.org. The Toucan Rescue Ranch is included in tours by Wild Planet Adventures, www.lat.ms/1NiVgjc
ARCAS RESCUE CENTER Guatemala
Mission: This nonprofit Guatemalan organization takes care of and rehabilitates animals saved from the illegal pet trade.
How you can help: Volunteers help prepare and distribute food, clean and fix cages, make enrichment toys and look for illness or changes in animal behavior.
Costs: $225 for the first week and $175 for each additional week. Includes meals and accommodations in a shared house.
Info: www.arcasguatemala .com/volunteering
FREE THE BEARS (World Expeditions), Cambodia and Vietnam
Mission: Free the Bears works to save, rehabilitate and return the animals to a safe sanctuary that feels as wild as possible.
How you can help: On the one-day Bear Care Tour, volunteers make treats and enrichment toys. On two- and three-day visits through World Expeditions, volunteers build climbing towers and hammocks, work in a garden designed to improve bears’ diet and health, and weave grass baskets, a favorite bear toy.
Costs: One-day Bear Care Tours are $70 for one person. Twoand three-day visits to Free the Bears sanctuaries are included in several World Expeditions tours. From $2,979, including $732 donation.
Info: www.freethebears.org; www.lat.ms/1hD3o18; www.lat.ms/1hWXw2K