Critter Caretaker

location
8 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Perfect 4.6  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Help, rescue and rehabilitate Native North American wildlife
  • Located less than 2 hours from Vancouver, the number one voted city in the world!
  • Several Ski areas located in the area!
  • Enjoy the surrounding nature and country side.
  • Improve your English


Especially good for

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups
50+

About the program

This program rescues many species of mammals who have been injured, are sick or orphaned. Help to rehabilitate and release these amazing creatures back in to the wild!

Grab the opportunity of a lifetime to rehabilitate and rescue many different species of wildlife, from the smallest squirrels to larger wildlife including deer and black bears located near the wildernesses of the Canadian and U.S.A border.

Wake up early in the morning to the sound of the many ...

About the program

Grab the opportunity of a lifetime to rehabilitate and rescue many different species of wildlife, from the smallest squirrels to larger wildlife including deer and black bears located near the wildernesses of the Canadian and U.S.A border.

Wake up early in the morning to the sound of the many different wild guests that you will have to rehabilitate and hopefully release all while living on site of the project! This great volunteer project is located less than 2 hours from Vancouver, world’s best livable city. The work with the wildlife on the centre is physically demanding and it is by no means an ‘easy holiday option’! The minimum duration of stay is 8 weeks with a maximum duration of 12 weeks. This gives the animals a chance to get to know and trust you, and it requires a little time to learn their routine. They are exclusively a North American Native Mammal Rehab Center and focus on mainly on smaller mammals like raccoons, skunks, otters and other animals like coyotes and black bears.

This is why
  • Help, rescue and rehabilitate Native North American wildlife
  • Located less than 2 hours from Vancouver, the number one voted city in the world!
  • Several Ski areas located in the area!
  • Enjoy the surrounding nature and country side.

Animal rescue and rehabilitation is fundamental to the continued conservation and protection of Canada’s diverse native animal species. You will be involved with the daily preparation to feed the animals, which includes sorting through donated produce and cutting up meat & fish
cleaning up food dishes/buckets and kitchen. You will also be involved with the daily cleaning of enclosures (which includes animals with diarrhea and other unpleasant substances)
You will also Participate in general maintenance of facilities, such as cleaning and painting and office related tasks such us record keeping. your general daily work hours: between 9am – 5pm hours, but on some days there could be some evening work hours.

Responsibilities
  • Required to commit to a minimum of 8 weeks (longer durations required to take care of the bears and only on request)
  • Must complete 2-4 days of training and shadow a senior volunteer before starting independent shifts
  • NO SMOKING is allowed on the property.
  • Strong work ethics are required: reliable, responsible, honest, good sense of humour, dependable, physically and mentally fit.
  • Age: 18+
  • No animal allergies
  • The care of animals must be secured around the clock and work may include night shifts Free Time: Can be arranged according to your needs
  • Free Time can include one or two days a week or a block of several days after a few weeks to allow for travel
  • Extreme Weather (heat & cold), dirt and living in a remote area must be something you can handle.
  • A love for animals and some general experience of caring for an animal is a must!
  • Must read and agree to abide by guidelines and ethics
  • Proof of current tetanus shot & medical insurance; Good physical stamina and health
  • Good communication skills and the ability to work alone
  • Fluent knowledge of the English
  • Patient and comfortable around mammals and birds
  • A valid driver’s license would be an asset, but is not required


The accommodation is conveniently located on the project site close to all the animals 25 minutes by car from the closest town. You will volunteer alongside other local and international volunteers as well as experienced staff who will train you for your experience!

Typical day

Your schedule will greatly vary depending on the season, number of animals and kind animals at the shelter. Keep in mind that especially during baby season (April - September) it is extremely busy as the baby animals need to be bottle fed every 2 hours. Due to this you might start your day very ...

Typical day

Your schedule will greatly vary depending on the season, number of animals and kind animals at the shelter. Keep in mind that especially during baby season (April - September) it is extremely busy as the baby animals need to be bottle fed every 2 hours. Due to this you might start your day very early or end it very late. 

Volunteers and Interns are the backbone of the organization. It is these individuals, who give freely of their time, that make caring for all the animals possible. The wildlife shelter is run by a dedicated group of volunteers. 
  • Feed and care for the animals
  • Build and maintain animal enclosures
  • Assist with capture and release
  • Educate the public
Working at a Wildlife Rehabilitation Center can be very intense at times because of the hours we sometimes have to keep. There may be evening feedings.  Volunteers will be expected to be involved in all aspects of the shelter. Your job will include feeding, food preparation, cleaning, laundry, administering treatment, participating in building projects, painting, etc...


Free-time activities

The project site is located nicely to Vancouver city of the 2012 winter olympics. Volunteers can enjoy sightseeing, shopping, swimming and many other activities. However, any leisure time activity outside of the project will be at the volunteers own expense.

The greater Vancouver Area is also famous ...

Free-time activities

The project site is located nicely to Vancouver city of the 2012 winter olympics. Volunteers can enjoy sightseeing, shopping, swimming and many other activities. However, any leisure time activity outside of the project will be at the volunteers own expense.

The greater Vancouver Area is also famous for its 3 ski areas where you can enjoy some Canadian skiing and snowboarding!  In the Summer the area is great for hiking and seeing wildlife while traversing mountains and lakes.


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 (intermediate level)

Required Documents

CV, Resume, Letter of Motivation, Two Pics and Signed Policy and Liability form (provided during application process)

Nationality Restrictions

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

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 09:00 - 17:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Fronteering Travel

The fees include: 
  • Airport Pickup + Two way Transfer
  • Accommodation : A Shared room in a trailer/cabin for the entire placement duration at volunteer project
  • Meals : 3 basic meals a day included (no catering available for vegetarians). Meals are donated by local businesses and super markets.
  • Pick up & drop off : An employee of the volunteer project will pick you up from the nearest bus station. On your way back they will drop you off at the nearest bus station.
  • Mail-holding service. You can use FRONTEERING office as a reliable address to have your mail delivered
  • Ongoing service & 24/7 Emergency contact.

Airport Pickup at Vancouver International Airport

We will be waiting for you at the airport and transfer directly you to your accommodation at the project. Transfer back to airport at the end of your stay also included. 

Accommodation

You will have shared basic accommodation with bedding provided and a place to store your clothes. Each cabin/trailer is equipped with a Television and sitting area. You are expected to keep the cabin/trailer clean at all times. There is only one shared washroom in the triage centre (hospital building) with a shower and 1 toilet facility in our education building for interns. Showers can only be taken once every two days to save water and money (they are reliant on donations so reducing costs is important).


Food & Beverages

You will need to prepare your own meals. There is no specific catering for vegetarians, and they cannot accommodate picky eaters. Meat will only be available occasionally as they depend on donations from the butcher. The food provided comes from donations so you may want to consider buying and cooking your own food, if not then 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, this is not considered part of your work day. Snacks & soda drinks are provided on occasion but not a staple.

Internet Access

Limited access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in Vancouver. 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

There are no specific start/arrival dates for this project, however, we recommend that you arrive on a Monday.

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

Program fees

8 weeks (min. stay) 1,287€
10 weeks 1,387€
12 weeks (max. stay) 1,486€
Average fees 142€/week

Program fees

142€ per week 8 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

8 - 12 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 (87 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 2010

Verified by Volunteer World

  Excellent response rate

Coordinated by

Patrick

Spoken languages: Dutch, English, German

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.


87 reviews · rating4.6

Chris H rating5

2024 at Critter Caretaker

I volunteered at the critter care taker program in Canada in May just 1 month after I turned 18. I was quite nervous and my parents also and so I decided to book through Fronteering instead of trying to arrange it myself. This made it very easy and I felt a lot better. I did travel to Vancouver a ...
Marcos Francisco Velázquez Ramón rating4.6

2023 at Critter Caretaker

I would recommend this program 100% , and I thanksful to them for this opportunity which I learnt a lot and they were so kind and respectful with me, to work with animals is something funny and a great ...
Alexia Chardome rating3

2020 at Critter Caretaker

Critter Care Wildlife Society est un centre de réhabilitation d'animaux sauvages (ratons laveurs, ours, moufette, écureuil,...). Travailler aussi proche était un rêve que j'ai pu réalisé surtout lors de la "babyseason", période durant laquelle on est très proche des bébés dont on s'occupe. ..
泽宇 张 rating5

2024 at Wild Takhi Research & Conservation

The national park is spectacular! We went for an outing every morning for wild Takhi observation every morning. Having a moment in your lifetime in the wild with all the nature surrounding you is probably the most wonderful experience. The accommodation managers and staffs are super helpful and ...
Having found an awesome opportunity to partake in a husky care taker placement in Canada, I was assisted in organizing the placement by the helpful and (patient!) team at Fronteering. The organization was dedicated to helping me contact and communicate with my host organization. I always felt I ...
Carol Breen rating5

2024 at Raptors & Owls Caretaker

I spent 8 weeks, 5 days a week, 7 hours a day volunteering with this organization. It was so worthwhile! They not only rescue injured raptor, but they rehabilitate as many as possible and get them back to where they were rescued in order to release them in the same place. They have a network of ...

Location

Americas > North America > Canada > British Colombia

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Dutch, English, German

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