Wildlife Volunteering in Australia: Make a Change in the Life of an Animal

Australia is one of the best places to consider if you want to explore opportunities for wildlife volunteering. Not only is the country home to some of the most exotic and fascinating wildlife on earth, it is also home to numerous local organisations dedicated to the care and welfare of these amazing creatures. Not for profit organisations in Australia work in cooperation with a wide range of local carers, animal shelters and wildlife habitat conservation organisations, so you, along with other like-minded environmental activists and animal lovers, can travel and contribute to animal welfare projects.

Volunteer sending organisations are instrumental in providing volunteer resources to Australian grassroots organisations as they endeavour to improve animal welfare through quality care, research, conservation, rescue, rehabilitation, awareness-raising, and other sustainable solutions that help address the negative local impacts on wildlife. Positive, rewarding and productive partnerships result in people working alongside one another to assist in on the ground rescue, rehabilitation and the release or permanent lodging of animals that have been injured, orphaned, displaced or brought in as unwanted pets. The work is not easy sometimes, but it challenges and engages individuals who have the heart and compassion to care for animals unconditionally, people who give up their time, money and consideration for those in need. Animal shelters are operated by people who give up their lives for animals, but they can’t do it alone. The resources that volunteers bring are invaluable as some shelters have upwards of 400 animals and the work that it takes to feed, house and clean is unsurmountable.

If you are a potential volunteer looking for opportunities to travel and volunteer, you may consider devoting some time to animal welfare. Be involved in the incredible experience of being up close to wildlife, becoming a part of their feeding and exercise regimes, looking after them when they are ill or injured, or just being there when they are without their Mum, you will experience one of the most incredible journey of giving. Whatever way you want to contribute, your participation will largely depend on the needs of the project you choose and your abilities.

This article is written by Josephine Kent, Marketing Coordinator of Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers, an organization that provides opportunities for volunteers to work with animals on a variety of animal.