from 1,171€

Perfect 4.6rating (57)

Alpaca care taker

location
4 - 24 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Perfect 4.6  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Highlights

  • An amazing opportunity to learn about Canadian culture.
  • A chance to become a volunteer and work alongside an amazing team and Alpaca's!
  • Improve your English while volunteering.
  • A chance to improve your skills and techniques in farming.
  • Amazing chance to visit and explore this beautiful country, immerse yourself in this new culture and way of life!

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
50+

About the program

Are you looking for a quick getaway from the hustle and bustle city life? Then take this amazing opportunity to volunteer at an Alpaca Ranch in beautiful Canada!

We work with several Alpaca ranches in Canada (mainly in Alberta). Depending on the availability, duration and your application you will be placed at one of the different locations. All are great and small family run ranches so that you are not in needed of a work permit or other special visa.


One of ...

About the program

We work with several Alpaca ranches in Canada (mainly in Alberta). Depending on the availability, duration and your application you will be placed at one of the different locations. All are great and small family run ranches so that you are not in needed of a work permit or other special visa.


One of our main Alpaca ranches  maintains a herd of over 20 alpacas that they raise for breeding stock and for fiber production. It consists of the main building with 4 bedrooms, a small barn, a large workshop and several small outbuildings. They are surrounded by other farms and is about 15 km to the nearest town, so do keep in mind that it is semi-remote. 

 The owners are also active in show circuit. They produce their own hay and occasionally rent out their large pasture for cattle grazing.

In addition to the alpacas there are also cats, rabbits, a lama and a donkey on the ranch. Join this project and enjoy every aspect of the alpaca lifestyle and take great pleasure in feeding and maintaining these amazing animals! 

This program really gives you the experience to live in the Canadian country to enjoy all it has to offer and to learn about animal husbandry. By assisting in this program you will help the program greatly as they are family owned ranches that are always busy and where the care for the animals never stops.



Typical day

The typical day at an Alpaca ranch varies greatly! However living on a ranch means that always something is happening and the animals always need to be taken care of. Of course every day starts with early morning feeding caring of the animals. The needs of the animals always come first.

This ...

Typical day

The typical day at an Alpaca ranch varies greatly! However living on a ranch means that always something is happening and the animals always need to be taken care of. Of course every day starts with early morning feeding caring of the animals. The needs of the animals always come first.

This experience gives participants the chance to become involved with family activities of an Alpaca ranch. They would be able to utilize all facilities of the farm if they so desire. The program is not only about Alpacas; it is pertinent to remember that this is a cultural exchange program where participants get a real inside feel of Canadian culture, mentality, etc. The family takes volunteers along when they visit neighbors, when they do their grocery shopping or when they go to events like rodeos, community festivals as such... Some of the expected duties that you may be asked to do may include; assist with daily feeding of livestock, assist with herd management (training & health maintenance, i.e. weighing and injections), garden work, helping with general cleaning of the house and yard.



Free-time activities

The project is located on the countryside of Alberta nicely situated between Edmonton and the Rocky Mountains. There are great opportunities to hike, bike, raft and to see wildlife near the ranch.

Free-time activities

The project is located on the countryside of Alberta nicely situated between Edmonton and the Rocky Mountains. There are great opportunities to hike, bike, raft and to see wildlife near the ranch.


Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level)

Required Documents

CV, Letter of motivation, Application form, Policies and Liability waiver.

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Fronteering Travel

What's Included
o Placement
Alpaca Ranch
o Accommodation
Volunteer will be staying in shared rooms in house or trailer
o Meals
3 meals a day will be provided
o Airport pick up & Drop off
The ranch will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to their ranch (return).
o Mail-holding service
You can use FRONTEERINGS office as a reliable address to have your mail delivered
o 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.
o Tours
Through FRONTEERING you have the possibility to book tours in Canada after you have finished your volunteer project.
o 24/7 Emergency contact
If there are any problems during you stay in Vancouver you can reach us 24/7 to assist you.

Airport Pickup at Edmonton International Airport

o Airport pick up & Drop off
The ranch will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to their ranch. Your return to the airport is also included.

Accommodation

You will have a private bedroom situated in the ranch or in a trailer at the ranch with linen and towels, (please make sure that your room is cleaned before you leave) together with (usually) a shared bathroom.  You are responsible to clean and tidy your own room.

Food & Beverages

Dinner and most of the time breakfast is eaten with the family. You may have to prepare your own breakfast and lunch once in a while. There is no specific catering for vegetarians, and they cannot accommodate picky eaters; however the meals are wholesome and nutritious. You will eat what everyone else eats. If you require additional food outside of the meal times, you will need to provide this yourself. You will be required to wash and dry dishes. On the ranch they love to experience different foods, so if you would like to cook or bake, this would be just wonderful. There is a limited amount of snacks, soda drinks and fresh fruit provided.  You are more than welcome to travel with the family to town, if you need to do your own personal shopping.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Edmonton International Airport (YEG) in Edmonton. We assist you to find cheap flights to Canada. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Canada provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Canada you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Canada. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

This program is available year round however We do advise to be on the ranch between April and October for the best experience. You will be picked up by the ranch from the nearest airport. 

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

4 weeks (min. stay) 1,171€
6 weeks 1,367€
8 weeks 1,563€
10 weeks 1,759€
12 weeks 1,955€
16 weeks 2,445€
24 weeks (max. stay) 3,229€
Average fees 214€/week

Program fees

214€ per week 4 - 24 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

4 - 24 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Fronteering Travel during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Fronteering Travel

Perfect 4.6 rating (57 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 2010

Verified by Volunteer World

  Very high response rate

Coordinated by

Patrick

Spoken languages: German, English, Dutch

About the project

Fronteering arranges volunteering programs related to wildlife and indigenous people in less visited places of this world as well as more unique destinations.

Meet your organization

Fronteering arranges volunteering programs in some of the last frontiers of this world as well as more unique locations that other organizations ignore. From Field research programs in the Far north of Canada and Husky ranches in the Canadian Arctic to Amerindian community programs and wildlife conservation in the Amazon Rainforest and everything in between.

Most of our programs Focus on either wildlife rehabilitation and release, wildlife conservation & research or involve local indigenous communities.

Fronteering currently offers programs in Canada, Guyana, USA, Australia, Brazil, Borneo, South Africa, Madagascar and Panama.

True good causes: FRONTEERINGS volunteer abroad projects are either existing local projects or projects that are build from the group up by FRONTEERING. What these projects have in common is that you will be supporting a true good cause! You will have the opportunity to help where the need is the greatest. Our projects focus on helping the local communities, wildlife, indigenous people and the environment in cooperation with the local/indigenous communities. We focus on true volunteer projects where your effort really makes a difference. That’s why through Fronteering you will rehabilitate injured & orphaned wildlife with the goal to release the animal. That is the reason why will not send you to some far southern country to cuddle with tame lions & tigers with any real purpose. If you want to volunteer abroad with a real purpose, contact us!

Safety: At FRONTEERING we do our outmost best to provide the safety measures needed for our Volunteer Abroad projects and Adventure Travel Trips. However due to the fact that many of our projects and trips involve wild animals and/or are in remote locations there is a small element of risk involved. Not all of our projects and trips are for the faint at heart however we do cater to those of all walks of life. If you are not too sure about the suitability of a Volunteer Abroad project or an Adventure Travel trip then feel free to ask as we are always ready to answer any questions or discuss any doubts that come to mind. For more information please check our Safety & In-country Support section before you volunteer abroad.

A real adventure: We do not want our volunteers to end up trying to safe or clean up some small patch of rainforest which in some places they might call a wilderness. Instead you will volunteer in the immense jungle of the Amazon rainforest or venture in to the vast Canadian wilderness! Our volunteer abroad projects are situated in the remote areas of the world and we focus on countries and regions with the lowest population densities. We at FRONTEERING focus on what works; from sleeping in the jungle underneath the stars with nothing more than your own private hammock to back-to-basic cabins in the northern tundra with a cozy smothering fireplace and no electricity! When you volunteer abroad with FRONTEERING you can be sure it will be adventure.

Off the beaten path: With FRONTEERING volunteer abroad projects you will venture to places less visited. We focus on places that are fairly undiscovered where the nature, wildlife and indigenous cultures are still common. You will have the great opportunity to see these amazing places while they are still unspoiled and pure. It is these places where there is the most to lose but even more to gain through successful conservation work and sustainable tourism. 

Community involvement: Foremost when volunteering abroad the well being of the community should come first. For all of our trips we use local guides, local transportation and local communities so that through sustainable tourism we can help to protect the environment, wildlife and sustain the way of life of indigenous cultures & communities. More and more and governments choose the long term benefit of sustainable tourism over the short term gain of mining and logging. A good example is Gabon which in 2002 after recommendations from environmental researchers set up 13 new national parks. The government of Guyana is currently considering protecting its entire rainforest region which still covers 80% of the country. Hopefully through our combined effort this dream will one day become true.

Mission
FRONTEERING specializes in organizing volunteer abroad projects to preserve the environment, wildlife and indigenous people throughout the world while giving the volunteers a real and raw experience in some of the most beautiful and often remote places in the world to make a true difference.

Vision
FRONTEERING strives to provide real off the beaten path volunteer abroad experiences worldwide that satisfy the need for volunteer projects that truly makes a difference for the environment, wildlife and indigenous people.


57 reviews · rating4.6

Deirdre Conroy rating4.2

2024 at Pantanal Wildlife Research

My experience on this volunteer program was excellent due to the hard work and planning by my host Alexine. She is a fund of knowledge and is dedicated to her project (Peccary Project, see also on Instagram, peccary_queixada_project). I also worked with an amazing team working with the giant ant ...
Cindy Lamaha rating5

2023 at Exotic Wildlife Caretaker Assistant

Dear future volunteer, The Hawaii sanctuary is not just a project where you will be taught about all the different kinds of animals and their behaviors, you will also learn a lot about humans, about yourself and you will learn how to feel home at a place that is not your own. If you thinking about ...
Hanna Somsky rating5

2023 at Exotic Wildlife Caretaker Assistant

Can get really good hands on experience with a very diverse group of animals. Ranch care takers are very knowledgeable about the animals and will gladly spend time sharing their stories and experiences with you. If you are looking for somewhere that can you know the place and people you're ...
Liliane Zistl rating5

2023 at Exotic & Domestic Animal Caretaker

I really enjoyed my stay at this program. I had the chance to work with different animals that I woudn't have gotten otherwise. The people there are very kinde and courteouse. Because the work is not always the simplest, they give you the weekend of with the possability to go to Saint Pete or Tampa. ..
Jasmine McPherson rating5

2023 at Exotic & Domestic Animal Caretaker

This sanctuary is an absolute amazing place, I'm glad I stayed. They provided a good place to stay and I learnt a lot while with them. They let me experience different situations while with them. Definitely recommend for any volunteer. ..
Sara Weber rating5

2023 at Sea Turtle Rehabilitator

Es war alles super organisiert, das Hides Hotel ist ein Budget und dementsprechend etwas alt. Die Singlezimmer sind im alten Gebäude- Bereich und leider etwas muffig. Mit tagsüber offenen Fenstern gehts aber. Die stündige Fahrt zur Insel ud wieder eine zurück auf einem Touristenboot wird mit ...

Location

Americas > North America > Canada > Red Deer

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Contact Patrick
  Very high response rate
German, English, Dutch

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