Veterinary/Animal Healthcare

Project Summary

Volunteers in these projects are able to combine aspects of the veterinary/animal care with the duties of this project. Volunteers are placed in a number of positions assisting and tending to the wildlife of Ecuador – zoos, animal rehabilitation centers and/or animals clinics. Volunteers will be able to focus some of their assigned time concentrating on veterinary sciences and practices – administering vaccinations, assisting in operations, performing lab-oriented tasks, post-mortem examinations (autopsies) as well as inspecting food for safety and consumption acceptability (for the animals' often sensitive diets).

IFRE's volunteer projects in Ecuador in the field of veterinary medicine/animal care are located in some of the most captivating and wildlife-brimming areas throughout Ecuador , including: Machaililla National Park, Ba ñ os, Guayabamba, Amazonia and even the world-famous Galapagos Islands .

Skills/Qualifications

No specific qualifications are required of individuals interested in volunteering in IFRE's veterinary medicine/animal care projects. Some duties required of individuals volunteering in this project are labor intensive, requiring that volunteers be in relatively formidable physical shape/health. Spanish is preferred but not required. Volunteers are expected to be flexible and adaptive and should possess significant interest in wild animal welfare and rescue. No FREE Spanish classes in Galapagos Islands, animal/wildlife project or any conservation project.

Volunteers' Responsibilities

Volunteers in IFRE's veterinary medicine/animal care projects in Ecuador will assist already-existing staff members of various animal care facilities such as veterinarians and possibly other wildlife biologists. Duties may include: administering vaccinations/medication to ailing animals, assisting in surgical procedures, lab tests/tasks, pathology-related activities (post mortem examinations; autopsies) as well as routine inspections of food ensuring safety for consumption by animals in recovery. Volunteers should be flexible, proactive with significant interest in aiding wildlife.

Room/Food

IFRE manages living accommodations and meals within host families throughout Ecuador for the entire duration of the volunteer program. Host families are all carefully screened, well-educated and have experience with host international volunteers. IFRE arranges clean, simply-furnished, private (occasionally shared with fellow volunteers) rooms in nearby host families. Volunteers are suggested to bring a sleeping bag and their own bed sheets. Volunteers will receive three (3) local meals each day (occasionally, if volunteers are away from their host families during lunch, they may required to pack their own ‘to go' lunches).