Ecovolunteer at a wildlife shelter in Ontario, Canada. Get involved in helping injured or orphaned wild animals in a volunteer-run shelter. Allwildlife shelter programshere.
Wildlife refuge in Ontario
Our partner Fronteering will place you in a wildlife sanctuary in the province of Ontario, close to Canada's great lakes. This wildlife center specializes in the care and rehabilitation of small and large animals. Its team, mostly volunteers, needs help all year round to care for and rehabilitate injured animals and rescue orphaned animals. Working with the center's animals is physically demanding! The minimum stay is 4 weeks, to allow the animals to get to know and trust you. A month is a minimum to familiarize yourself with their routine.
The shelter is run by volunteers
Eco-volunteers are the backbone of the organization. This wildlife refuge is run by a group of volunteers who make it possible to care for the animals. Ecovolunteers will be expected to get involved in all refuge-related activities. Your work will involve feeding the animals, preparing food, cleaning, laundry, administering treatments, participating in construction projects, painting, etc.
Here's an example of a task you'll have to perform every day
- Feed animals by gavage (stomach tube) and by hand
- Administration of medication,
- Basic first aid
- Handling and restraining injured and orphaned wild animals,
- Keeping animal registers,
- Observing and recording animal behavior,
- Maintenance and tidying up of the rehabilitation center,
- Raising public awareness
- Minor repairs to cages and pens.
The project expects a commitment of 6 days a week and 8 hours a day
The refuge welcomes between 3 and 5 volunteers at any one time.
Dates
- Between 2 and 4 weeks
- All year round
Rates
- 4 weeks $1295 (approx. €1225)
- 6 weeks: 1345 $ or approx. 1273 €.
- 8 weeks: 1395 $ or approx. 1320 €.
- 10 weeks: 1445 $ or approx. 1367 €.
- 12 weeks: 1495 $ or approx. 1415 €.
Prices in euros vary according to the exchange rate
Included in price
- Shelter placement (underwritten by Fronteering)
- Housing
- Mail service
- You can use the Fronteering office as your postal address
- Assistance (provided by Fronteering) in the event of a problem. You can contact Fronteering 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for assistance.
- Through Fronteering, you can book tours in Canada after completing your volunteer project.
Not included in price
- Airline tickets
- Travel insurance,
- Airport welcome
- Meals are not provided, but you can cook on site.
- From age 18
- 4 weeks and 12 weeks maximum
- Must undergo 2-4 days of training before starting to work independently.
- Smoking is not permitted on the property.
- A strong work ethic is required: reliability, responsibility, honesty, good sense of humor, dependability, physical and mental fitness.
- No pet allergies
- Up-to-date tetanus vaccination
- Good physical stamina and health.
- A love of animals and general animal care experience are a must!
- Must read and agree to abide by guidelines and ethics.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Good knowledge of English
- A valid driver's license would be an asset, but is not mandatory.
Housing
Ecovolunteers will live in a bunkhouse located on the property. There is a living room, kitchen and dining room. A laundry room is available as well as a kitchen. You'll need to spend one night in a youth hostel in Toronto.
Food
You can cook in the volunteer house
Location
The project is located in the middle of "cottage country" and in a fairly isolated spot. There's no bus service in the area, but you'll have the opportunity to go to nearby towns for shopping. There are several lakes nearby!
Arrival
You'll arrive in Toronto and spend the night in a youth hostel.
You'll travel by bus to the project and be picked up at the nearest bus station. On the last day, you'll return to Toronto to catch your flight home. Of course, it's possible to extend your stay in Canada and travel or visit other cities; we can help you arrange travel and/or accommodation.
- Help save and rehabilitate North America's native wildlife!
- Discover the Canadian province of Ontario, famous for its many lakes and the magnificent autumn colors of its forests!
- The area offers excellent opportunities for wildlife watching, sightseeing, biking, hiking and swimming.
All reviews of Fronteering missions
About the partner organization
Fronteering is a Canadian organization founded in 2010, specializing in overseas volunteer projects aimed at preserving the environment, wildlife and indigenous populations. It has trips all over the world, but thanks to its Canadian base, it offers many positive-impact experiences in North America. It also focuses on the least-visited places on the planet. Places that still have a rich biodiversity and where you can experience a world that is still wild. Fronteering strives to offer volunteer experiences off the beaten track. Adventure is the order of the day! All missions with Fronteering
