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City/State: Cha-am |
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Country: THAILAND
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| Personal Overseas Development |
Linden Cottage
The Burgage
Cheltenham
UNITED KINGDOM
GL52 3DJ
Phone: 01242 250 901
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Program description: |
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You will work as a volunteer at the Wildlife Rescue Centre, helping to maintain the Centre and care for an amazing variety of wild animals. The Centre is based on temple grounds near Thayang in the South of Thailand, about 100 miles South of Bangkok and about 15 miles from the beaches of Cha Am and Hua Hin.
ABOUT THE CENTRE AND THE ANIMALS
The Wildlife Rescue Centre's aim is to save wild animals and their habitat from destruction. The project focuses on rehabilitating captive or domesticated animals, and in some cases preparing them for a reintroduction to their natural habitats.
The Wildlife Rescue Centre currently houses over 200 rescued animals including gibbons, various species of macaque, lorises, civets, bears, a crocodile and a tiger.
In Thailand huge tracts of forest are disappearing at an alarming rate, destroying the habitats of many species of flora and fauna. Wild animals are poached for meat, medicine and the illegal pet trade. Animals captured in their infancy and sold as pets are often abandoned or chained up when they reach maturity and become less controllable. As well as these unwanted pets, other animals are confiscated from appalling conditions, where they are sometimes kept drugged or abused and used as entertainment for the tourist trade. It is a sad story, but wonderful to see what the Centre is achieving and how these animals are now cared for.
A TYPICAL WEEK
So what will you be doing every week? You will have four main tasks:
- assisting the caretakers - buying food at the market, preparing food, feeding
- building and maintaining the housing for the animals
- daily cleaning of the cages
- giving talks to tourists.
Volunteers work a six-day working week from about 6.30am-5.00pm. The atmosphere at the Centre is informal and relaxed. You will be scheduled where you are most needed and where your skills can be used to the maximum advantage. The work can be draining, but is very rewarding.
Although you will work very closely with the animals, direct physical contact is limited in order to help their rehabilitation and maintain a safe working environment.
LIFESTYLE
There will usually be about 10 volunteers at the Centre at one time and you will all live in shared rooms on-site. After work you can relax at the Centre, socialising with other volunteers or watching a movie on Satellite television - or you can walk 5 minutes into the small town where you can check emails, get laundry done and meet some of the locals.
Volunteers also regularly club together and organise a taxi for an evening trip to Hua Hin to enjoy the entertainment in this bigger town. On days off you are free to explore the local area or visit the excellent beaches which are about 15 miles away.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- A comprehensive information pack
- Accommodation for the duration of the placement (a simple shared room)
- All meals
- Ongoing support, help and advice from our local team
- Travel advice and assistance.
WHAT PAST VOLUNTEERS SAY
"I would recommend this placement to anyone who has a love for and interest in animals and who does not mind hard work and getting involved in more than just the basic jobs. I loved it" – Tomasz
"The centre location was excellent. Being surrounded by forest gave the feeling of peace & tranquillity. The views were spectacular. The town was only a short walk away. The town people were very welcoming as they knew that you were from the centre. The centre was larger than I first thought. Everybody including Thai workers & volunteers were very friendly and helpful. I thoroughly enjoyed the work and the 6.00am start didn’t bother me. I found the work challenging but extremely rewarding. My experience & knowledge was widened as I encountered new species. The climate did make the work harder but in between jobs was time to have a drink and a rest. As this was a part of my university course I feel that I could share a lot of skills and new knowledge amongst my student friends. The centre has been an amazing experience which has extremely boosted my confidence and independence. If you have a keen interest in helping wild animals then this is the place to go. Everybody at PoD was extremely friendly and wanting to help. Even if you aren’t working in the animal care industry this placement offers so many personal developments." - Lena
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General program information: |
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Program open to: Everyone
Travel to site: Independent Travel
Is opportunity more independant or group orientated: Group
No. in group: 10
Living arrangements on the program: Group living
How long does the program last?: Various Durations
What are the dates of this program: Starts throughout the year. Placements last from 3 - 12 weeks.
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Benefits and advantages of the program: |
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By volunteering at the Wildlife Rescue Centre you will make a major contribution to the welfare of animals in Thailand. Your time and efforts will help to care for the animals, and the majority of the programme cost will go direct to the Centre providing a critical source of funding for their future work.
On a personal level you will have a unique opportunity to work alongside some incredible wildlife and gain the satisfaction of helping to make a difference to the lives of these animals.
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Cost or price of this program: |
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£445 - 3 weeks, £525 - 4 weeks, £675 - 6 weeks, £825 - 8 weeks, £1125 - 12 weeks
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Qualifications required: |
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No previous experience is required, just enthusiasm, energy and a willingness to get involved.
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Application process Involves: |
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Reference
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