Volunteering in Australia.

We have three volunteer partners in Australia. Sea turtles in Cairns, flying foxes on the Atherton Tablelands and wildlife rehabilitation in Perth. We are in constant contact with all our partners around the world, getting updates on volunteers, the weather, new animals in treatment and fundraising campaigns they are rolling out. Our Australia partners have kept us up to date about these issues and of course the fires that we have all seen with tears in our eyes.

Our partners have been incredibly lucky and currently are not in immediate danger. Our volunteers on the ground are safe and the animals continue to get the very best of care.

Over the past week we have gotten an unprecedented 50 new applications a day from people who want to go to Australia immediately and help. Of course we did, who doesn’t want to help these amazing heroes who are on the front line of animal rescue? It has been wonderfully overwhelming to see how many people want to help these animals, how many people see these pictures and videos and instead of getting swallowed up by sadness are inspired to action.

Our message to everyone is thank you, thank you, thank you for your heart and for your compassion. This is a dire situation and it helps all of us to know we are not alone. In order to understand our commitment to Australia now and in the future we would ask everyone read the message we are sending those interested in volunteering in Australia.

Thank you so much for your application to volunteer with us in Australia.

We have been absolutely devastated by the wild fires in Australia and are very privileged to be able to send international volunteers to our wildlife rehab centre in Perth. Currently, the centre cannot accept anymore volunteers until August. 

Many wildlife centres are at capacity with volunteers at the moment and won't accept any who haven't had extensive experience with marsupials and burn victims. Hands on the ground are important but they have been telling me that donations for things like fruit, milk and medical supplies are needed urgently and of course through the whole recovery process.

Knowing how many animals have been affected and how much land has been completely destroyed, the road to recovery will be long and the volunteers coming to Australia later in the year will be as welcome as the ones arriving currently. 

We have two more programs in Australia, one with flying foxes up in the Atherton tablelands and one in Cairns with sea turtles. If you are interested in going to Australia to help animals, they are both wonderful groups who really do need volunteers throughout the year, including now. Australia’s economy will also benefit from your visit.

Let me also say, that wildlife around the world needs our help. There is no wrong answer when you help animals at wildlife rehab centres. Perhaps they have not been acutely affected by wildfires but many of the animals at our wildlife centres around the world do need immediate and on going help after their rescue from traffickers, loss of habitat and natural disasters in their area. If you want to help wildlife but can't get to Australia, there are animals who need your help in all our wildlife centres.

Thank you so much for your interest in helping. This is a dire and terrifying situation ecologically yet I have been inspired by the amount of people who want to help from all over the world. 

A note about fees: Unfortunately, we cannot help with the costs for volunteer fees or ticket. The fees exist to offset the cost of hosting volunteers- from electricity to water, training to materials, volunteers provide an important helping role at the centre but they can also cost the community. We make sure that struggling communities don't personally pay for what the volunteers consume and all the donations that raised for the centre are used directly to help the animals. 

This is one of the reasons we visit all the placements before we partner with them. Not only do we make sure they are safe for travelers, ethically run, community lead/supported and authentically helping the animals in the area; we make sure that the fees correctly and ethically reflect the cost of hosting volunteers. Everything from the petrol used to pick volunteers up from the airport to the training that each volunteer must receive is thought of because when it comes down to it, we know no one going to help these communities and these animals wants to be a burden- financial or otherwise. 

Just as we don't barter for medical supplies and rent at home, we don't in the places that host volunteers so, as you can understand fees are very important to pay your way and the things you consume while on the program. 

Thank you so much for your heart, your compassion and your readiness to help. We will all need to come together in the next months and years to help all the animals and people affected by this devastating climate disaster. We are committed to Australia’s wildlife and we hope you are, too.

Nora

A Discount for Your Donation!

It’s the time of year when our thoughts turn to giving – bringing happiness to others and spreading holiday cheer. We want to thank you for all the great things that you do and for all the lives that are touched by your kindness. Inspired by the tremendous generosity we saw on Giving Tuesday, we thought why not make every day in December a giving day? We would love to help you give the gift of travel to yourself in 2020!

Simply make a donation in December to ANY animal or environmental charity and Animal Experience International will thank you by giving you a discount on your fees! Share the love, spread the joy, help the world and make a difference for animals! In our busy lives, we can sometimes forget that the simple act of giving can have powerful effects. Our little ripple can lead to a tidal wave of change. And we want to help you, help important organizations around the world!

It's as simple as donating what you can to ANY conservation group you love, such as Latin American Sea Turtles, Nature Canada, Greenpeace, Lilongwe Wildlife Trust or your local animal shelter - then emailing us a copy of your receipt. We will then thank you by giving you 10% off your fees! 

Make 2020 your year of adventure. Continue to make the world a better place by traveling on an AEI adventure, meeting new friends and lending a hand to an amazing animal organization!

*Discount applies to new applications only, submitted to Animal Experience International on or before January 15, 2020. Financial donations to the charity of your choice must be made between December 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019.

Give travel to your friends, your family and yourself!

Last month we were mentioned in the New York Times article when Airbnb announced they would be helping people experience animals! Working with local animal programs you can go check out sea turtle programs or the day, have tea with ponies and visit with penguins. We LOVE this idea especially because World Animal Protection is behind them making sure all these experiences meet pretty high ethical and humane standards. No swimming with dolphins over here!

We also love this idea because it gives people the opportunity to dip their feet into the water of animal welfare and care so they can sign up for a longer experience with us later. Go visit animal welfare programs and wildlife rescue centres, see if you like them and then come volunteer with AEI! Why not?

Last month when I was in South Africa I tried an Airbnb experience to see how they operated and I was delighted! I went to the Cape of Good Hope with a woman that used to be a park ranger. She knew all the beautiful places to hike and was able to point out loads of animals I wouldn’t have even noticed!

Do yourself a favour, read the article, get better acquainted with animal adventures and then send us a message! Tis the season to give memories instead of things.

Give ethical and safe animal adventures to your friends, your family and yourself!

The Weather Outside is Frightful

The snow is falling, the air is cold and it's hard to remember that there are animals (IN VERY WARM PLACES) that need our help. Sea turtles in Costa Rica, wildlife in Malawi, dogs in Mexico.... all of them are being rescued by locally lead and run programs that could use a helping hand. We aren't looking for vets or doctors, we are looking for people to help and support local vets and doctors. We are looking for people like you who can go to the (WARM) plains of Southern Africa and help cut up fruit for baboons. We are looking for families like yours, who can walk on the (WARM) beaches of Costa Rica to replant mangrove trees. We are looking for people like you and your friends who want to help with the socialization and rehabilitation of rescue dogs in a (WARM) city in Mexico. Basically, we want to help you help animals and since we are Canadian too, we want to make sure you are warm doing it. Stay cozy, volunteer with animals this winter.

Tigers and crocodiles and baboons- need your help!

Around the world, we have seen a decline in people travelling. There are many reasons for it but understanding the complex reasons don’t help the teams who are working around the clock to help animals. What will help is your time. We have local vets on the ground who are doing everything they can to save wildlife from trafficking. They are rehabilitating sick, injured and orphaned animals, releasing them as quickly as possible to help support the ecosystems that these animals are important members of.

How do you fit in? You can help support the vets by volunteering to do husbandry! These animals need to be fed, cleaned and given enrichment and support every single day. You can do that! And by doing that, you take these tasks off the plate of the vets. They can give better medical care to the animals, care for more animals and in turn release more animals. Cutting up 4lbs of bananas may seem easy, and it is but its vital to the survival of orphaned howler monkeys. Sweeping leaves out of an enclosure may seem easy, and it is but it’s crucial for the rehabilitation of antelope. Stuffing seeds into pre-drilled sticks may seem easy, and it is but it’s deeply important for the psychological care of wild birds before they are released back into the jungle.

We don’t need vets. There are vets on the programs. We need people to support the vets. To take part in easy but incredibly important feeding, cleaning and enrichment tasks. The more volunteers helping with these tasks, the higher the quality of life is for these animals, the more time the vets can focus on medical care and the sooner the animals can go back to their homes in the forest.

If you can volunteer in 2019, we will give you $100 off your fees. We need your help to help those helping animals.

So please, apply today.

4 Incredible Women Making a Difference in Animal Welfare

Though you may double-tap any Instagram photo starring an animal, likes don’t do much to improve their quality of life. From elephants captured in Thailand to amuse tourists to mistreated household pets, there are countless situations where humans need to change their attitudes to prioritize animal welfare. In an effort to build a better tomorrow for fauna of all kinds, these four incredible women have dedicated their lives to activism for animals. Here, discover their stories — and the meaningful ways you can contribute to a difference.

The activist who is paving the way for ethical animal tourism

Who: Nora Livingstone, CEO and Founder of Animal Experience International

Her history: Livingstone’s first love was dogs: big, small, fluffy, silky — she loved them all….

… read more

We are Best FOR The World 2019

Animal Experience International recognized as a “Best For The World” top B Corp for their exemplary societal and environmental impact  

Barrie, Ontario; 4 September 2019—Animal Experience International, a Certified B Corporation, has been named a Best For The World honoree in recognition of their company’s positive impact on the environment, their workforce, their local communities, their suppliers, their customers, and their corporate governance. Animal Experience International ranks in the top 10% of all B Corps across all of these impact areas, earning them a well-deserved spot on the Best For The World: Overall list. Whether it’s visiting all the international placements first to make sure they are safe, ethical and authentic or ensuring all volunteers have free access to pre-departure training that includes mental health support, cultural bias and environmental impact, Animal Experience International has set the bar for responsible and successful businesses around the world. 

“This is the fifth year we have been honoured with the designation Best For the World and we couldn’t be prouder. With more than 700 people have volunteered with AEI and learned more about themselves, the world and the ways community conservation helps all of us. Wildlife rescues in Guatemala, dog rescues in Kenya, sea turtles rescues in Australia, 2019 was another the year that our clients realized that they could be the change they wanted to see in the world.” -Nora Livingstone, CEO and co-founder of Animal Experience International

Best For The World recognition is administered by B Lab, the global nonprofit that certifies and supports Certified B Corporations, which are for-profit companies dedicated to using business as a force for good. Today there are 3,000 Certified B Corporations across 64 countries and 150 industries, unified by one common goal: to redefine success in business.

B Corps meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. B Corp Certification doesn’t just evaluate a product or service, it assesses the overall positive impact of the company that stands behind it—like Animal Experience International. Using the B Impact Assessment, B Lab evaluates how a company’s operations and business model impact its workers, community, environment, and customers. To achieve the B Corp Certification, a company must achieve a score of at least 80 points on the assessment.

“We’re incredibly proud of this year’s Best For The World honorees,” says Anthea Kelsick, Chief Marketing Officer of B Lab. “These inspiring companies represent the kinds of business models and impact-driven business strategies that are building a new economy—one that is inclusive, regenerative, and delivers value to all stakeholders, not just shareholders. To that end, B Corps like Animal Experience International are redefining capitalism and showing that it actually can work for everyone.”

1,000 B Corps from 44 countries were named to the 2019 Best For The World lists, including Patagonia, Beautycounter, Dr. Bronner’s, TOMS, Seventh Generation, and Greyston Bakery. The 2019 Best For The World honorees are determined based on the verified B Impact Assessments of Certified B Corporations. The full lists are available on https://bcorporation.net/. 

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About Animal Experience International: Animal Experience International (AEI) is a Travel, Adventure and Volunteer company that specializes in animal and wildlife conservation experiences. Animal Experience International is an organization with a mission to help animals around the globe by matching clients with animal-related volunteer opportunities at sanctuaries, wildlife hospitals, animal clinics and conservation projects. Through their respective work as a wildlife veterinarian and as a volunteer coordinator for wildlife sanctuaries, co-founders Dr. Heather Reid and Nora Livingstone have come to understand the need for an B Corp like AEI. People from all walks of life, and from every country, are seeking animal-related experiences as volunteers. Organizations that provide help to animals, either directly or through conservation projects, are often reliant on volunteers to achieve their goals. AEI is excited to help bring these two groups together and make a difference in the lives of animals around the world. AEI is committed to making sustainable and long lasting connections by partnering with only the very best organizations around the world. The TICO certification means these quality, worry-free placements allow AEI’s clients to focus on taking care of the animals and getting the most possible from their volunteer experience.

Contact: Nora Livingstone; CEO, Co-Founder; Animal Experience International

Nora@animalei.com

About B Lab: B Lab is a nonprofit that serves a global movement of people using business as a force for good. B Lab’s initiatives include B Corp Certification, administration of the B Impact Management programs and software, and advocacy for governance structures like the benefit corporation. B Lab’s vision is of an inclusive and sustainable economy that creates a shared prosperity for all. To date, there are 3,000 Certified B Corps in over 150 industries and 64 countries, and over 50,000 companies use the B Impact Assessment. For more information, visit https://bcorporation.net/

B Lab Contact: Hannah Munger; Manager, PR & Communications; hmunger@bcorporation.net; +1 212-608-4150

Expedition 2020: Nepal

This will be our 4th Expedition and this time we are going to the roof top of the world! Come with us to Nepal for 10 full days of volunteering with dogs, visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites, hiking through terraced fields and taking part in the most wonderful of days: Kukur Tihar. That's right, we will be in Nepal for the blessing of the dogs! We will be arriving in Kathmandu on November 10th 2020 and staying for 10 full days!

Included: carbon balancing, all accommodation, meals, in-country transportation, access and admission to all UNESCO sites, fully guided day trek, full volunteer fees and donations to dog rescue centres. $2495 Canadian.

Want to learn more about Expedition Nepal?

AEI empowers animal lovers, students, professionals, and adventure seekers to travel and make a difference by volunteering with animals.

Our exceptional experiences are safe, ethical and unforgettable. Join our team of international volunteers and explore the world while doing what you love. It doesn’t matter who you are, we will help you make a difference.

Tired of competition? Join forces to change to the world!

It can seem sometimes that our world is geared towards competition. Throughout our education, during our quest for the perfect job, while searching for the perfect apartment, in the workplace - it can feel like everyone is pitted against each other. And this can create a culture of scarcity. We can begin feeling like we need to fight for what we want, or settle for something less and feel not so great about ourselves.

In my life I have experienced these feelings first hand. Unfortunately, veterinary medicine is a fairly competitive field. For me this meant I was competing with my university classmates for a spot at vet school. Once in vet school I was competing with my classmates for placement opportunities in my field. My interest has always been in wildlife conservation, and it seemed we were constantly told that there weren't enough spots, not enough opportunities, not enough jobs. 

This feeling of famine can make us close ranks, stop sharing, focus on our own best interests.

But what if we turned this idea on its head - began to look at the world from a place of plenty. What if there was more than enough for everyone?

This is the philosophy that was behind the founding of Animal Experience International. We set out to create a space where people are encouraged to participate. Where there are opportunities for all! Everyone can get involved! There is no shortage of places you can visit and ways in which you can help! 

Creating a culture of bounty means we are collaborating and creating together. We are sharing and joining forces to make the world a better place. When we remove the pressure of competition and the fear of failure, we see people soar, their hearts open, the possibilities become endless. This is where true growth begins, true innovation, true change making. 

Join us at Animal Experience International and embrace collaboration and abundance. You can make a difference today!

Poachers are just a symptom of the toxic problem.

So many of our programs have hired on ex-poachers as conservationists. Typically poachers don't hate animals, they just love their families more. The illegal pet trade, palm oil plantations, illegal bush meat trade and urban development all lead to marginalised people turning to poaching to feed themselves, their families and sometimes their addictions. Poachers are just a symptom of a much bigger problem that we must address. We can address it by supporting locally lead conservation and animal welfare programs who hire people in their local communities and provide meaningful work. Care2 just highlighted an amazing conservation program that hired an ex poacher to help hornbills.

Next time you think about poaching and how horrific it is, continue thinking that BUT think about why it exists. It exists because of poverty so the best way to stop poaching at it’s source? Invest in the community, invest in people.