Quick Facts
Program code
PE-WN104
Category
Volunteer Work, Animal Welfare
Country
Peru
Location
Cusco
Program start
flexible start and end dates, year-round
Minimum duration
2 weeks
Minimum age
17 years
Contact us
Happy to help you
(+1) 954 762 7607
(+56) 9 7516 9816
(+49) 7735 425 339
skype: chileinside
8 am - 4 pm EST
Program details
Peru is home to many exotic animal species; the Andean region in particular is the natural habitat of many wild animals and bird species. On the other side of the country in the Amazonas Region, Peru hosts an impressive number of exotic species and very diverse wildlife. The animal sanctuary in the Cusco region specialize in taking in wild animals that can no longer live independently in the wild. This is mostly due to injury, malnutrition, or because of poaching.
About 120 animals live in this shelter (numbers subject to changes), including sloths, monkeys, bears, parrots, lamas, vicuñas, pumas, and other mammals, birds, and reptiles from the Andes or Amazon region.
The staff at the shelter does their best to rehabilitate and prepare the animals so that they can be released back to their natural environment as quickly as possible. For some animals, release back into the wild is not possible, and they stay at the wildlife sanctuary for the rest of their lives.
Since programs like these depend strongly on private funding and help from volunteers, international and national volunteers are vital to the ongoing efforts of the animal refuge center.
Note: The animal population and species cannot be guaranteed and are subject to change.
Tasks
At the wildlife sanctuary, you will assist with various tasks. First and foremost, you will help with treatment and rehabilitation of the animals. You will support the staff as much as possible to make sure that each animal has the best possible living environment. This is not an easy undertaking, considering these animals live in captivity. Furthermore, you will help keep the cages and enclosures clean and feed the animals on a regular basis.
1. Check all cages and inspect the animals.
2. Check ventilation
3. Clean and disinfect the cages
4. Clean and disinfect feeding utensils
5. Receive, clean, classify and store animal food
6. Prepare food and feed animals
7. Build and repair cages
8. Help with daily animal records
9. Help with sick or animals which are in quarantine
10. Welcome visitors, guide them and explain the life of each animal in the shelter
11. Plant native trees and plants
12. Collect solid waste from the stream and the road close to the animal refuge
Working hours can be half-day or full day. This volunteer work can be combined with a Spanish course in Cusco.
Note: The tasks may vary. They depend on factors such as number of volunteers, season, current needs of the project, as well as self-motivation. Not every volunteer may be fully involved in all these tasks.
Accommodation
It is very important for the success of your volunteer work that you feel comfortable during your stay in Peru. We therefore offer you two different accommodation options to choose from. All our accommodations are carefully selected.
Homestay
Accommodation in a single room in a Peruvian homestay with breakfast & dinner allowing you to get to know the local cuisine and immerse yourself in everyday life. In addition, living together with the hosts gives you the opportunity to get to know the warmth of the Peruvian people, their habits and their culture. You can also share your experiences with them and continuously improve your language skills.
Residence
For volunteers who prefer to live with other volunteers or Spanish students from all over the world, we offer single rooms in a residence. The bathrooms are always shared. No meals are included, but there is a kitchen for self-catering. Internet is available.
Location
The city is known worldwide as a starting point for adventurous hikes on the Inca Trail and for the trip to the famous Inca city and World Heritage Site of Machu Picchu.
As the former capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco is itself a World Heritage Site and in the 13th century it had already reached a size much larger than all other Inca settlements. The history of the city is very eventful and legendary - traces of it can be found everywhere in the streets and alleys: today's very pretty cityscape is shaped by the colonial architecture, but there also are impressive remains from the Inca period, such as the legendary seamless walls that can be found everywhere. You can get a deep insight into the city's history in several museums.
Today Cusco is a lot in one: tourist magnet, starting point for adventures to Machu Picchu and surroundings, as well as a beautiful modern city in a spectacular scenery - you will be amazed!
Language skills
In our Wildlife & Nature projects, our volunteers get along well with English language skills.
For optimal program preparation and cultural integration in the destination country, we recommend participating in a Spanish course in Peru (optional).
You can book your Spanish course in Peru directly with us!
Requirements
- English skills. Basic Spanish skills (book your Spanish course in Peru!)
- Minimum age 17 years
- Application at least 4 weeks before the desired start of the program. Read more about our application process here.
- Completion of a foreign travel health insurance (get your travel insurance here!)
Pre-departure and in-country support
Before arrival, our experienced team will be at your disposal to assist you throughout the booking process and travel planning. With the booking confirmation you will receive our 24-hour emergency number, so that you can reach us 24/7 in case of emergency.
In addition to the assistance given by our office staff you will be supported by our partner organization in Peru located in Cusco.
Costs & Services
Our volunteer project in the Wildlife Reserve in Peru includes:
- Single room in Homestay with breakfast & dinner*
- Single room in Homestay/Residence (no meals)**
- Advice from our experienced staff
- On-going support via WhatsApp, phone or mail
- Elaboration of your application profile in Spanish
- Your placement in the volunteer project
- Pre-departure information
- Packing list
- Country handbook
- Intercultural guide
- On-site volunteer coordinator
- 24/7 emergency number
- Advice on travel insurance
- Certificate of participation
There is a US$ 30/week surcharge for special food requirements (vegan, celiac, gluten free).
Costs when living in a homestay*
(single room, breakfast & dinner)
Application fee: US$ 150
Program fee: US$ 800 (minimum stay 2 weeks)
Each additional week: US$ 200
Costs when living in a homestay/residence**
(single room, no meals)
Application fee: US$ 150
Program fee: US$ 740 (minimum stay 2 weeks)
Each additional week: US$ 170
A donation of US$ 75/week must be paid directly to the volunteer project, respectively US$ 50/week for stays of 4 weeks or longer.
Additionally, you can book:
- Airport pick-up in Cusco US$ 30
- Spanish course in Peru
- Spanish courses in Latin America
- Travel Health Insurance
Our tips (experience more + see more = save $$)
Is it difficult for you to decide between the many great projects? You want to see and experience as much as possible during your stay in Latin America? Then build your own itinerary - experience more & see more! Our program combination makes it possible!
All our stay abroad programs can be combined with each other: So, you can combine different volunteer projects in the same country or in different countries, or you mix Working Holiday with volunteer work or Farm Stay with Working Holiday ...and so on …
Your creativity knows no limits. The longer your stay abroad in Latin America, the greater the discount you get from South America Inside. Below you can see how much you can save:
If you need assistance in putting together your personal experience abroad, then please contact us. Our experienced staff will help you to set up your tailor-made stay abroad.
Volunteer Guide
Find valuable information about volunteering abroad in our program guides. Find out about all the benefits, possibilities and challenges, that a stay abroad offers you. Read more about the great opportunities that South America Inside has at your disposal.
Browse through our section Reading Matter!
Photos
Notes:
1. The pictures do not give an exclusion of the current animal population, as this can change at any time.
2. The pictures of the accommodations serve as an example. Various (homestay) accommodations are available.