Do you want to take care of wild animals in Thailand?

There are many people who are currently aware of the importance of human action to save the planet and that animals can live calmly and in peace. It is getting worse and worse seen that hunting is valued as a sport or that there is animal abuse for human consumption. People are part of this planet and that is why we should be grateful for our existence taking care of the environment and the animals that inhabit it.

That is why there are people who when they have the opportunity to occupy their free time helping other living beings (who like us) have the right to live with dignity, they do not think about it. In this sense, if you are one of these people who understand that animals have the same right to live in their habitat, in Thailand you will have the opportunity to take care of wild animals.

The experience will change your life, and it is that animals, in addition to being living beings like us, are great masters of the simplicity of life. Wild animals and human beings should coexist without meaning that neither of us was in danger. Animals are instinctive and people have enough minds to know where we should be.

Global Volunteer Network

La Global Volunteer Network is a New Zealand non-governmental organization whose mission is to connect volunteers with communities in need around the world. Through its collaboration with a partner organization in Thailand, it enables you to become a volunteer wildlife care staff.

Animals that live in the sanctuary where you would volunteer are animals that have been abused before., who have suffered abuse, malnutrition or neglect and inadequate care; that have been rescued from animal trafficking or their use in the tourism industry. Many of these animals suffer permanent sequelae that prevent them from returning to life in freedom, so the refuge takes care of giving them the best care, with the help of volunteers.

In addition to the physical sequelae, these animals also suffer severe emotional sequelae They should also be assisted with care that, in addition to covering their physical recovery, should also include their emotional recovery, with friendly relationships and showing a lot of love towards them. Respect for their life and their existence is the best thing that human beings should do for each of the animals on our planet.

Requirements to become a volunteer

In order to be a volunteer and be able to take care of wild animals in the sanctuary, you must meet some requirements, since if you do not meet them, in no case will you be able to apply on the Global Volunteer Network website to be able to volunteer. The requirements are as follows:

• Be physically fit, able to walk long distances, and tolerate heat
• Be 18 years or older
• Be available for at least a 4 week stay
• Be able to work without assistance
• Be able to work in a team and adapt to group life

They look for volunteers with an ideology similar to that of the reserve, For this reason, people who have worked training animals or with values ​​that do not adapt to respect for animal life are not allowed.

Volunteer program location

The program is located at Kao Look Chang in Petchaburi province, near Cha-am and Hua-hin beaches and approximately 160 kilometers from Bangkok. The Reserve includes a lake where there are seven islands for gibbons, allowing them to move freely, to establish territory and have a mate and live a life that is closest to wildlife. You will be able to live a different and of course unforgettable experience, but you will have to show that you are a person capable of working independently without having to be on top of you all the time.

Interesting information about volunteering

The animals you would work with would be: a wide variety of macaques, two species of gibbons, several species of civets, leopard cats, tigers, bears, crocodiles, and exotic birds. The center tries to provide these animals with environments as similar to nature and their reintroduction into the wild, whenever possible.

Depending on the duration of your stay and your training and experience, you can dedicate yourself to: Preparing and feeding the animals, maintenance of facilities or cleaning.

Volunteer duration may be different depending on your availability. You can join the program for 4 to 12 weeks, initially. After this period, you can negotiate the extension of your stay with the program director. You will be accommodated in houses in the Reserve and you will have three meals a day.

Cost of the program in Thailand

Even if you are volunteering, the volunteer program has a cost that will be borne by you, so if you want to live this experience you will need to have some savings to be able to carry it out. The price will vary depending on the weeks you want to be in the program. The admission fee is always US $ 350, and then the cost varies:

• Cost for 4 weeks $ 700
• Cost for 6 weeks $ 900
• Cost for 8 weeks $ 1.140
• Cost for 10 weeks $ 1360
• Cost for 12 weeks $ 1.580

These amounts cover the costs of administration, establishment in the area, accommodation, running costs of the program, food, laundry and supervision. You must pay the amount 8 weeks before your departure to Thailand.

There will also be other costs at your expense: flights, transportation to the Reserve 2.220 Baht (Thai currency, equivalent to about 55 dollars), visa, vaccination, travel insurance and airport taxes.

If you dare, we would love to hear from you, telling us all about your trip, what you do and how you live it. The truth is that it must be a unique and unrepeatable experience. Above all, on this trip take care of yourself, eat well, enjoy the animals and… Don't forget your camera and have fun!