Benefits of Joining an Animal Volunteer Program Overseas

As an animal lover, you may have tried your hand at volunteering to help care for animals in shelters or by helping local organisations, but imagine going beyond this and joining an animal volunteering project overseas. By doing so, you not only get to experience a totally different group of animals, but you will experience a different culture, something that almost everybody craves for at least once in their lifetime.

Some benefits in joining an animal volunteer program abroad are:

• Have someone else do all the work finding good projects for you – Volunteering abroad does not have to be complicated, it’s easier than you could have imagined. When you use a reputable not for profit volunteer recruitment organisation, you have access to a variety of fantastic, fun and worthwhile projects. These types of organisations aims to link nature and animal lovers with sustainable, conscientious and ethical animal rescue and release projects around the world.

• Meet new people – One of the best things about travelling is meeting new and interesting people. This especially applies to volunteer projects as you have the chance to work alongside other well-meaning animal lovers who also volunteer, plus you get to spend time with some amazing animal carers and shelter owners. An opportunity to work with like-minded individuals who care about the safety and welfare of animals is a great way to make friends who are all working towards a common goal.

• An opportunity to travel and see unique and unusual places – Animal volunteer projects are located in some of the most unusual places in the world, and volunteers who sign up to such adventures find themselves in places they would never usually find on a standard holiday. The outback of Australia, the Amazon rainforest in Ecuador, the Whale Coast of South Africa, or the stunning Galapagos Islands, imagine finding a purpose here while you care for, study or research animals of various kinds.

• Have fun – Jump into the deep end and try something different. Volunteer with animals and you will have the time of your life. Imagine a baby wombat running behind you as you teach it how to run, picking up a wallaby falling over from its healing injury, or having your hand near swallowed by an elephant steaking a banana ball? You can’t get these kinds of experiences on a normal holiday.  Koalas, elephants, sharks, turtles, wombats, birds, penguins and wallabies, the list is comprehensive. Then you may even have time to explore, sight see or laze around on a tropical island after your work is done.

Work with Animal Volunteer Programs in Australia: A Once-In-A-Lifetime Opportunity

Joining any one of the animal volunteer programs in Australia will provide you with a once in a lifetime opportunity to make a huge difference in the lives and survival of animals. The environment and animals are typically the lowest priority in today's social issues. As a result, funding and resources for environmental and animal conservation are usually limited, and not many people are working on it. Hence, your contribution will be considered valuable when you work in an animal volunteer program of a reputable non-profit organisation in Australia. To get started, consider volunteering with a not for profit organisation that recruits volunteers to assist in the care, rescue, rehabilitation, and release of animals.

Animal volunteering programs in Australia provide you with the chance to offer your skills, expertise, and time to a cause, which you find worthy. You get to work with and for the animals, the environment, and wildlife communities. Through a volunteer recruitment organisation, you have a unique opportunity to become involved in a meaningful project. You will be contributing to the daily routines and running of your chosen cause.

Reputable volunteer recruitment organisations support local animal rescue, rehabilitation, care, and release programs that have identified a real need for intervention. Likewise, they make sure that you are volunteering in a program that is effective and sustainable in their approaches. Your decision to volunteer will make a great impact, no matter how small your contribution is or how short your stay will be. By volunteering, you can become more aware of the need for assistance and team effort in ensuring better living standards for animals and realise the importance of the environment not just for the animals but also for humans.

Your contribution to an animal volunteer program will depend on the length or type of stay, the project's needs, and the country. In Australia, you can choose a seven-day holiday or a six-month stay. During your experience, you will be able to help many different types of animals like owls, koalas, turtles, and wombats.

Blog Source URL: http://www.oceans2earth.org/volunteer/blog/work-with-animal-volunteer-programs-in-australia

10 Benefits of Great Barrier Reef Volunteering

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most iconic and popular natural wonders in Australia. The reef itself is a long ecosystem of hundreds of islands and thousands of reefs that are home to various species of fish, starfish, molluscs, sharks, dolphins, and turtles. There are not many volunteering opportunities that aim to help preserve the beauty and integrity of the Great Barrier Reef. You may have to research hard to find them. If you live locally or abroad, there is an opportunity to join a Great Barrier Reef volunteer program in Australia. There is a non-profit organisation that recruits volunteers for the project. When you become a Great Barrier Reef volunteer, you can:

• Help treat sick and injured marine turtles – These animals are brought in from the Cape York Peninsula and the Great Barrier Reef due to starvation, disease or injuries caused by discarded fishing gear, boats, and ingested plastic. Most turtles suffer from 'floaters disease' too.

• Keep a rescue centre for animals running – Volunteers can lend a helping hand at a rescue centre and assist in the care of sick and injured turtles. You can assist in cleaning turtle tanks, feeding turtles or work on special projects where you help with important research.

• Gain some valuable and unique experiences– The Great Barrier Reef is unique to Australia and there is plenty of opportunity to explore while working with animals like the Green Turtle and the Hawksbill.

• Make a big difference – The rescue centre opened over 3 years ago, and since then, its success rate in rehabilitating injured and sick animals and returning them to the sea has grown to over 85 percent from a mere 20 to 30 percent, thanks to the research that has gone into their care.

• Spread the word – Apart from rehabilitating injured and sick turtles, you can help promote sustainable and humane practices through education and co-operation initiatives.

• Help in reef monitoring research – Depending upon the time of year, volunteers can assist the staff in monitoring the reef.

• Rescue turtles – Volunteers may provide assistance when there is a need to save turtles in distress.

• Enjoy an adventure – If you love animals and travelling, volunteering on the Great Barrier Reef is an excellent opportunity to go on an adventure of a lifetime.

• Clean the beach – Volunteers can participate in beach clean-ups on the Great Barrier Reef.

• Have fun – Volunteers are free to use water sports equipment during their free time.

Blog Source URL: http://www.oceans2earth.org/volunteer/blog/benefits-of-great-barrier-reef-volunteering

Things You Should Know About Overseas Volunteer Programs

Animal welfare is a broad term that encompasses the general wellbeing of animals, and volunteering in the field of animal welfare is a way that people can contribute while gaining experience, skills and life lessons. In my experience I have found it can be particularly beneficial to individuals who are interested in or studying animal psychology, veterinary medicine or animal research or conservation, in addition to those who simply have a deep love for animals.

Overseas volunteer programs that centre on animal welfare vary widely, and there are many that aren’t geared towards the welfare of the animals, however there are a few projects that have the best interests of the animals at heart and are designed to provide an exceptional level of care. Volunteers are needed within these organsations to help with the workload of caring for and rehabilitating these animals for release, where possible, and in turn, they are provided with a unique opportunity that is not able to be gained elsewhere.  Imagine working with a like-minded team to look after wildlife, help promote animal rights, conduct research, educate communities and fundraise. Animal volunteering programs abroad provide these kinds of opportunities for individuals who hold a great passion for animals and the environment to interact with wildlife close hand.

Working with wildlife highlights the issues as to why these animals came to be in care. It educates and enlightens someone to the real fact of habitat destruction, one of the biggest threats to animals. It is here that we become horrified to the destruction of species on a daily basis and how people, corporations and governments make decisions nonchalantly that leave countless animals displaced, injured and on the endangered list.

Animal welfare is becoming a larger concern around the world since social media has put the world in touch with what is really happening, therefore there are more and more people wanting to help. International volunteers are the largest group with volunteers choosing to travel overseas for wildlife volunteering opportunities. It’s a good way for people to travel and experience a country while seeing the native wildlife up close, without visiting or supporting zoos and wildlife parks which, in most cases, exploit animals for profit.

Learn More about Australia's Animal Welfare and Conservation Projects

You won’t find many opportunities to volunteer in animal welfare in Australia. Whether you are a traveller or a local who wishes to help animals, there isn’t many prospects to work close with the local wildlife. Here are some things you should consider and know about before taking the plunge into animal welfare and conservation projects and volunteer work in Australia:

·         Consider the difference between a not for profit organisation that is privately owned compared with one that is a government incentive or a company (zoo, for example). Decide what you want to support and locate a project that fits your criteria of what it means to help animals. Of course it should be something that you are passionate about so find out what activities the project demands and commit to a realistic time frame. Animal welfare and conservation initiatives are fuelled largely by the enthusiasm of volunteers, so get on board and try your hand at something you will never get the opportunity to do in a normal circumstance.

·         Obtain plenty of information about the organisation you want to work with. Read all aspects of the website and see if you can find any online reviews from past volunteers. An organisation’s Facebook page is a good place to look as it should give you a good idea of what the organisation is about and you may get a good insight on what the project is all about and what you will be doing. Learn about the key people who run the organisation and who you will be dealing with. You will soon know which organisation is reaching out to you and is a good fit.

·         Volunteer sending organisations should include a lot of information about each project on their website. There should be write-ups, testimonials, photos and videos, and when volunteering in a foreign place, it is important to know exactly where you are going. Most organisations will provide you with an information guide once you sign up which will give you all the information you need to know, so get started volunteering with Australian animals and make a difference to their beautiful creatures.

Tips to Find Animal Volunteering Opportunities in Australia

Animal lovers are often looking for ways to take an active part in wildlife conservation efforts, however their attempts to locate a place where they can have a meaningful impact can often end at the doors of dubious ‘voluntourism’ organisations. Unfortunately, some organisations are companies that rely on profits rather than preservation, and others, although well-meaning can unknowingly do more harm than good. If you would like to go beyond a photo opportunity, you will need to dig deep and do your research.

Here are some pointers to help you get started:

Find out about the roster. Volunteer work can be arduous and require long hours working in less than ideal conditions (heat, cold, etc). Other projects only work a few hours a week. Do not commit more time and energy than you can afford or you may be left with your expectations not being met.

Bring a partner or friend. Animal volunteer work is rewarding and challenging. If you have a friend to share the experience with, it is less difficult when you arrive home as you have someone local you can share your laughs, memories and experiences with, good and bad.

Find out the physical requirements. Find out how physically demanding the volunteer work is. Chopping corn for elephants on a 40 degree day is not easy! You may prefer feeding squid to turtles and scratching their backs instead. Choose an animal volunteering program according to what energy output you are seeking and ensure that you can manage the work if you have a medical condition. Many projects offer programs for mature age and people with special needs. Speak to the project coordinator and get a good feel for whether it is for you. Ask them what project would suit. Choose your project according to your abilities and your limitations.

Find out if the work requires any special training or certification. Most organisations will provide you with all the necessary training, tools and materials. However, some special projects, internships and projects (vet work) may need additional qualifications or even a University degree.

Find out about the animals on the project. You will get the most out of your placement if you know about the types of animals you will be working with and how close you will be getting to them. There may be projects that you discard because of the local, wild animal population. For example, if you are hesitant about snakes and spiders, then don’t volunteer in the Amazon!

Find out about the health risks involved with animal volunteering and the vaccinations that are required for your placement. Contact with diseased wildlife can be risky if you are not properly protected. A good volunteer organisation will ensure you are up to date with all your vaccinations.

Find out if the organisation has a support system in place for medical emergencies. How does the organisation handle volunteer injuries or accidents? How far away is the nearest hospital?

Learn All About Overseas Volunteer Programs Available in Australia

Feel like volunteering? If you find yourself developing a strong motivation and desire to contribute to society, you can participate in countless different programs—a compulsion that can only be satiated by leaving your comfort zone and heading out to volunteer. With the number of volunteer organisations eager to take you under their wings and nurture your heart for volunteerism and conservation, it can be quite overwhelming to select a program that will best suit what you want to accomplish. Depending on your goals, the following categories can help you make an informed decision on the kind of program you should invest your time and yourself in:

• Short-term volunteer programs – Most short-term programs are focused on cultural learning experiences. Some of these are non-profit, while some are for profit. Short-term intercultural placements in fact, make up the majority of today's overseas volunteer programs. Most don't require specific professional or educational qualifications.

• Long-term volunteer programs – Long-term programs focus more on empowering local people or the program beneficiaries. These often involve some form of skills transfer, which means you may be required to have a certain professional or educational degree or qualification.

• Conservation or environmental volunteer programs – These are the types of programs that are mainly concerned with environmental and conservation work out in the field. The motivations and goals of organisations involved in these kinds of causes are wildly varied, but most focus on environmental issues on a local scale. These types of volunteer programs are advisable if you want projects that are results-oriented.

• Relief/emergency volunteer programs – The focus of emergency and relief volunteer programs is on relieving emergency situations that often arise as a result of natural disasters or political/civil conflicts. These programs often run on short notice and are concentrated on basic needs like food, water, medicine, sanitation, shelter, and rescue.