This is a wildlife rehabilitation centre located in Western Australia that rehabilitates and treats sick, injured and orphaned wild animals. The centre admits more than 2,400 animals each year and offers expert care and rehabilitation with the goal of releasing the wildlife back to the wild. The main focus of this wildlife centre is a commitment to the protection and welfare of native wildlife. This is accomplished through their animal care and educational outreach programs. Patients treated at the centre include Echidnas, Bobtails, Quendas, Red Kangaroos and birds such as the Tawny Frogmouth and Lorikeet. Orphaned babies, such as Bandicoots and Possums, receive specialized care in the nurseries. The successful Bilby captive breeding and reintroduction program at the centre was started in response to the declining Bilby population on the Peron Peninsula.

There are many animals that live permanently at the centre, some as part of their breeding program but most used in their education program. These include an Echidna, Emu, Bilbies, Tawny Frogmouth, Wallaby, Cockatoo and many more. Volunteers have the opportunity to care for and interact with these permanent residents during their time at the wildlife centre.

While the centre accepts all native wildlife, the hospital sends many animals to other wildlife caregivers that specialize in specific species. You will see these animals when they are first admitted to the hospital. The hospital treats many birds and bobtails year round and you will get to work with the resident animals during your stay. Animals needing medical care are taken to a local veterinary clinic that works with the centre. Please note that there is less variety of species during their winter months (April to August), and temperatures are cooler at that time of year.

Volunteer Activities

Volunteers provide care for all the animals at the centre. This includes cleaning cages and enclosures, preparing food and feeding the animals, providing enrichment, and helping with laundry and general upkeep duties. Other volunteer activities include helping the team with the education and outreach program.

It takes many weeks of training to be able to safely handle the animals and provide the advanced treatments they often need, so most volunteers are not able to do this on their own during their time at the centre.

There are three shifts a day- morning, afternoon, and evening. Volunteers sign up for seven shifts per week, for a total of 25 hours. You can always do more if you want, and you can group them together so that you can take time off if you wish. You will spend at least one day in the Hospital, Nocturnal Room, Resident Animal Husbandry, Bilbies, Reptile Room, helping in Reception, shadowing a Tube Feeder, shadowing a Treatment Person, and if possible you will be involved in an airport pickup of a rescued animal and the release of a wild patient.

Accommodation 

You will be living in the Rangers Hut - a cabin located right on the grounds of the wildlife centre. You will have your own bedroom, kitchen, living room and bathroom. There is a TV for your use capable of taking DVDs or USBs, and there is free wifi available. You will be living alone, but there is a couple who work as caretakers at the centre that also live on site, so you can always contact someone if you need them out of hours. If the Rangers Hut has already been reserved, you can stay at a local family-run hostel that is a short walk from the wildlife centre. There is an additional fee for staying at the hostel, where you will have your own air-conditioned room and use of the kitchen, common room, swimming pool and wifi.

Meals are not included in the volunteer fees. You will have the use of a full kitchen and you will be taken into town as often as you need to buy groceries and supplies.

Safety

Do you have questions about safety? We have answers right here! 

Includes

Airport pick up and drop off (at the closest airport), accommodation, volunteer uniform t-shirt, on-site training, donation to Placement Partner, AEI Travel Manual, emergency support while at placement, carbon credits to offset 3 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, premium Individual Travel Insurance (up to $500, 000 USD in emergency medical coverage), travel discounts (through automatic membership to a volunteer only travel discount program), 24/7 travel and emergency assistance, enrolment with the Global Travel Academy to earn a certificate in International Volunteering. This 3-hour online course is curated by travel professionals and is designed to help you get the most out of your adventure. Please note; meals are not included. As you are responsible for purchasing your own food and preparing your meals, please budget for additional food costs.

Excludes

Flights, entry visa costs, international and domestic airport taxes, immunizations and medications and meals.

What is Serious

The wildlife center is located near a small town approximately 50 minutes (by bus) from Perth, in the Australian back country. This is the perfect opportunity to fully immerse yourself in wildlife rehabilitation. You will be able to learn from the experienced staff and volunteers at the wildlife centre and develop your wildlife rehabilitation skills. There will be opportunities to work with many species of native Australian wildlife and gain experience caring for avian species. You will learn the natural history of the animals, their nutritional needs and how to care for the wild patients throughout their rehabilitation. You will be able to assist with medical care as appropriate, and handle animals when it is safe to do so, based on your skill level and experience. While they ask you to commit to seven volunteer shifts a week, you can participate as much as you would like. Opting in is the best way to get the most out of your experience!

What is Fun

Volunteering at the wildlife rehabilitation centre gives you the opportunity to experience authentic Australia, while creating memories that will last a lifetime. You will be amazed by the natural beauty of the country as you live in your own cabin on the private grounds of the wildlife centre, surrounded by a National Park. The local volunteers are quick to befriend their international guests, and will take you into town to shop and explore.  Perth is a bus ride away, and you can plan to visit this city and surrounding area on days off.  

Dates and Details

This is an ongoing program with operations every day of the year.  Our Placement Partner asks for a 4 week commitment from their volunteers, and the placement starts at the beginning of the month.  Please make sure when you book your flights, you arrive the first day of your shift between 9am and 4pm. The Rangers Hut can be set up with a double bed and an additional single bed to accommodate two to three people maximum. Accommodation away from the centre can be made available for an extra fee.

Fundraising

Are you thinking of fundraising for a portion, or all your fees? Many of our clients have been very successful with their fundraising efforts. To learn more about their successful fundraising projects and see how you can fund raise for your experience, please visit our fundraising page!