5 things to look out for when volunteering with wild animals

It's understandable, even admirable, to want to use your vacation time to help animals. And there are many amazing and reputable organizations offering volunteer programs that directly help wild animals, but there are some that exploit them for profit.  

We have heard stories of mismanaged funds, of animals being treated poorly, and of animals being taken from the wild purely for the purposes of wildlife tourism. 

It’s up to each of us to make sure we’re doing our research to avoid places that don’t prioritize the wellbeing of the animals. To make this easier for you, we’re sharing our list of five things to help you find an ethical place to volunteer. 

1. Avoid direct interactions with wild animals

Can you hold and have your picture taken with the animals? Or maybe you can walk and play with the animals? If the volunteer program or the facilities they work with offer these experiences, then it’s a big concern. 

Wild animals belong in the wild, but sometimes they need our help and rehabilitation. High welfare facilities offer the most natural environment possible with the aim of releasing the animals back into the wild. 

Trained professionals handle the animals when needed, and volunteers are able to help and observe the animals from a safe distance. It’s better for all involved – they are wild animals after all, not photo props or entertainers. 

Learn more about why you shouldn’t touch wild animals.

2. Check where volunteer contributions go 

Photo credit: Elephant Valley Project | Volunteers at Elephant Valley Project in Cambodia, a 4,000-acre elephant sanctuary and eco-tourism program that cares for 10 elephants. 

Most volunteer programs have a fee, or you are asked to make a financial donation. This is not abnormal as volunteer programs need people and resources to run the program, support the facilities, and care for the animals. 

But you should be able to check where this money is going. Are the funds raised by the volunteer program needed to care for the animals? Or do they support related projects that will improve animal welfare in other ways such as habitat conservation and community engagement? Or is this not clear? 

Simply reach out and ask the organization if you can’t find a clear answer on their website. If you can’t verify the information, consider an organization with more transparency. 

3. Choose an organization with a long-term plan  

A mission-driven organization knows what they want to achieve for the animals they care for in the long run. Will the animals be rehabilitated and released back into the wild? Or will they provide a genuine sanctuary for wild animals who cannot be rehabilitated so they can live a natural and wild life until the end? 

If there are no plans or if the organization is not open to share their goals and policies with you, then it’s a big concern.  

4. Do your research 

Even activities as innocent-sounding as “bathing” have cruelty behind the scenes. Learn more about these venues offering these experiences that are falsely masquerading themselves as “sanctuaries”. 

A volunteer program may offer an ideal opportunity to care for and interact with animals and they may even call themselves a “sanctuary”. It is up to us to do the research to make sure that we’re not supporting low welfare or cruel practices. 

Before committing to volunteering, check the organization’s website, read reviews, look for news articles about them, and check their social media. Try to find out as much as you can about where the animals come from, what facility’s purpose is, and how the animals are housed and cared for.  

5. Download our animal-friendly travel guide  

Our guide includes information about The Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare and a Genuine Sanctuary checklist. This will help you steer clear of venues that exploit animals. 

You can print the guide or save it to your phone or any device, so you'll have it handy when you’re doing your research or on your next trip. 

Get my animal-friendly travel guide

Secret tip 6. Choose cuddling with cats and dogs instead! 

Consider an option where snuggle time with the animals is encouraged! Many local animal shelters for dogs and cats accept volunteers to help care for, walk, and feed the animals. Spending time with (and cuddling) these animals is good for you and for them!