At the Wildlife Rescue Centre volunteers usually work long days, around 8-9 hours 6 days a week. Without the invaluable contribution from volunteers the center would simply not be able to function. Although difficult at times the volunteer work is highly rewarding.
We take our rescue and rehabilitation work very seriously. Please be aware the project is strictly hands off. Volunteers will have no physical interaction with animals but will provide the essential daily and long-term needs of the animals, such as feeding, cleaning enclosures and providing stimulation in the form of behavioral and environmental enrichments.
There are two volunteer coordinators present to facilitate to the needs of the volunteers as well as to organize the daily schedule. Working hours are generally from 06:30 to 17:00 depending on the job the volunteers are on for the day. There are breaks for breakfast and lunch. Although every working day is different with different tasks to carry out, there are several jobs which need to be done daily.
06:30-08:00 Preparation of food for the animals and feeding them, assisting with cleaning the enclosures
08:00-09:00 Breakfast
09:00-12:00 Scrubbing pools, water rounds, preparing and distributing behavioral enrichments, assisting with environmental enrichments and any other projects that need doing around the center (maintenance work, painting, digging, etc.)
12:00-13:00 Lunch
13:00-17:00 Afternoon preparation of food for the animals, feeding them, water rounds, sweeping and cleaning the center
17:00-18:00 Personal time (usually used for showering!)
18:00-19:00 Dinner.
19:00 onwards Personal time to socialize with other volunteers, walk into the village (must be in groups of two or more), or take a taxi to Hua Hin or Cha Am. We encourage volunteers to keep the noise down after 22:00 to avoid disturbing the wildlife.
The types and variety of duties will largely depend on the duration of stay of each volunteer, and number and skills of volunteers participating. Some of the work is also seasonal and dependent on available resources on-site at the time.
We found {{ category.count + ' ' + (category.count == 1? category.label:category.pluralLabel) }} and {{ category.count + ' ' + (category.count == 1? category.label:category.pluralLabel) }} for '{{ searchTerm }}'
0 Results found
Search for places, activities and experiences…
We found {{ category.count + ' ' + (category.count == 1? category.label:category.pluralLabel) }} and {{ category.count + ' ' + (category.count == 1? category.label:category.pluralLabel) }} for '{{ searchTerm }}'
0 Results found
{{ cardLists.others.label }}
{{ cardSlider.label }}
Still didn't find what you were searching for?
Get in touch for expert advice from someone who has travelled the world.
Itinerary
Wildlife Rescue Center
Typical Daily Schedule & Activities
Project Combinations
It is also possible to combine this Wildlife Rescue Center project with the Elephant Refuge project. Both projects are based on the same site and it’s a good opportunity to experience conservation work with many different types of animals without having to change location. Please let us know if you would like a combination of these two projects.
Summary
What’s included?
Activities
Free one day a week but not necessarily the weekend. On your days off, you can go to the nearby beaches at Hua Hin and Cha am. There are also national parks nearby where trekking is possible. Days off can be coordinated, so you can spend free time with your friends.
There is a local village (10 mins walk) where volunteers can buy noodles, crisps, soda, beer fruit juices etc and there are also very good places to buy Thai food. There is a night market every Sunday where food, clothing and other goods can be bought.
There is a local village (10 mins walk) where volunteers can buy noodles, crisps, soda, beer fruit juices etc and there are also very good places to buy Thai food. There is a night market every Sunday where food, clothing and other goods can be bought.
Accommodation
Volunteers stay in European style, concrete and brick bungalows. Most accommodation is two or three people per room in single sex rooms, with the exceptions of couples, friends and families. Your pillow, blanket and bedsheets are provided to you during your stay. You are welcome to change your bedsheets weekly if you would like fresh linen. All rooms have either en-suite or shared bathrooms with a western style toilet and a cold shower. There are hot showers available in a communal bathroom area if needed during your stay. All rooms have a fan. The rooms are cleaned weekly, however, we ask all volunteers to look after their own space and keep your personal area tidy. A positive attitude towards group living and teamwork is essential. Keys for rooms are provided, you will need to pay a deposit of 200 baht.
We have a main volunteer house where many volunteers hang out and socialize. Free use of Wi-Fi is available at the Elephant Kitchen to check emails, social media and for booking flights or hotels. We politely ask that this facility not be used to download large files such as movies. We also have an on-site laundry where you can get your clothes washed (7 baht per item), a shop where you can buy souvenirs and WFFT t-shirts, and a small bar where you can buy soft drinks, coffee, smoothies and snacks. The bar is open after work from 17:00 to 19:00 for volunteers who would like to socialize, and there are alcoholic beverages available.
There is a telephone in the office where emergency international phone calls can come in or local calls can be made. This is only for emergencies and incoming calls should only be made during working hours at the center. It is highly recommended that volunteers bring a mobile phone (unlocked) with them as they can purchase Thai SIM cards cheaply from the shops in the local village along with mobile phones for as little as 1000 Baht.
We have a main volunteer house where many volunteers hang out and socialize. Free use of Wi-Fi is available at the Elephant Kitchen to check emails, social media and for booking flights or hotels. We politely ask that this facility not be used to download large files such as movies. We also have an on-site laundry where you can get your clothes washed (7 baht per item), a shop where you can buy souvenirs and WFFT t-shirts, and a small bar where you can buy soft drinks, coffee, smoothies and snacks. The bar is open after work from 17:00 to 19:00 for volunteers who would like to socialize, and there are alcoholic beverages available.
There is a telephone in the office where emergency international phone calls can come in or local calls can be made. This is only for emergencies and incoming calls should only be made during working hours at the center. It is highly recommended that volunteers bring a mobile phone (unlocked) with them as they can purchase Thai SIM cards cheaply from the shops in the local village along with mobile phones for as little as 1000 Baht.
Local transport
The volunteer organisation offers different pick-up options in different locations. Your travel advisor can help you request a transfer that best fits your needs, and fill all necessary transfer information in a disclaimer form. You are then required to sign this disclaimer to agree that the information given is correct. In case you miss your pick-up, you will anyhow be charged in full. The terms and conditions are included in the template that lists the allocated pick-up times, costs and pick-up points. The template also includes the contact information for our coordinators, such as email addresses and phone numbers.
Arrival Transfer Times & Costs (Paid locally)
Bangkok (International Suvarnabhumi Airport) between 06:00 and 14:00 - 2400 THB for a car (1-3 pax) and 3300 THB for a minivan (4+ pax)
Bangkok (International Don Mueng Airport) between 06:00 and 14:00 - 2400 THB for a car (1-3 pax) and 3300 THB for a minivan (4+ pax)
Bangkok (Hotel) between 06:00 and 14:00 - 2400 THB for a car (1-3 pax) and 3300 THB for a minivan (4+ pax)
Cha Am between 06:00 and 16:00 - 700 THB for a car (1-3 pax) and 1100 THB for a minivan (4+ pax)
Hua Hin between 06:00 and 16:00 - 900 THB for a car (1-3 pax) and 1300 THB for a minivan (4+ pax)
Petchaburi between 06:00 and 16:00 - 900 THB for a car (1-3 pax) and 1300 THB for a minivan (4+ pax)
The costs are per car that can seat up to 3 passengers or minivan that can seat 4 passengers or more.
It's highly recommended to book the arrival transfer from a Bangkok hotel at 09:00 and from Hua Hin, Petchaburi and Cha Am at 10:00. This gives you enough time to arrive at your project, settle in and be ready to start the orientation tour at 13:45.
Departure
If you have an early morning flight from Bangkok, you need to book your last night in Bangkok (your own cost), as it’s not possible to get back to Bangkok in time for an early departure.
On your day of departure you need to leave your room by 09:00 but you are welcome to stay at the project until late afternoon, if you want to spend a few hours taking photos of the animals.
Arrival Transfer Times & Costs (Paid locally)
Bangkok (International Suvarnabhumi Airport) between 06:00 and 14:00 - 2400 THB for a car (1-3 pax) and 3300 THB for a minivan (4+ pax)
Bangkok (International Don Mueng Airport) between 06:00 and 14:00 - 2400 THB for a car (1-3 pax) and 3300 THB for a minivan (4+ pax)
Bangkok (Hotel) between 06:00 and 14:00 - 2400 THB for a car (1-3 pax) and 3300 THB for a minivan (4+ pax)
Cha Am between 06:00 and 16:00 - 700 THB for a car (1-3 pax) and 1100 THB for a minivan (4+ pax)
Hua Hin between 06:00 and 16:00 - 900 THB for a car (1-3 pax) and 1300 THB for a minivan (4+ pax)
Petchaburi between 06:00 and 16:00 - 900 THB for a car (1-3 pax) and 1300 THB for a minivan (4+ pax)
The costs are per car that can seat up to 3 passengers or minivan that can seat 4 passengers or more.
It's highly recommended to book the arrival transfer from a Bangkok hotel at 09:00 and from Hua Hin, Petchaburi and Cha Am at 10:00. This gives you enough time to arrive at your project, settle in and be ready to start the orientation tour at 13:45.
Departure
If you have an early morning flight from Bangkok, you need to book your last night in Bangkok (your own cost), as it’s not possible to get back to Bangkok in time for an early departure.
On your day of departure you need to leave your room by 09:00 but you are welcome to stay at the project until late afternoon, if you want to spend a few hours taking photos of the animals.
Meals
Three meals a day are provided. All meals are served at designated times, so if volunteers wish to cook their own foods, they will need to purchase this in the village, the Robinson shopping mall, Hua Hin or Cha Am. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are freshly prepared by our Thai cooks, and are predominantly traditional and local Thai. However, we do also have Western cuisine nights.
At all meal times there are clearly labeled ‘meat’, ‘vegetarian’ and ‘vegan’ options. However, they cannot guarantee that the food will be completely free from nuts, seafood or be gluten free. They are unable to cater for individual needs. Clean drinking water is also provided in a number of locations on site. There is a bar area where alcohol is available for volunteers that are 18+.
If you wish to see a menu over all the food included including the ingredients, ask your travel advisor for a copy.
At all meal times there are clearly labeled ‘meat’, ‘vegetarian’ and ‘vegan’ options. However, they cannot guarantee that the food will be completely free from nuts, seafood or be gluten free. They are unable to cater for individual needs. Clean drinking water is also provided in a number of locations on site. There is a bar area where alcohol is available for volunteers that are 18+.
If you wish to see a menu over all the food included including the ingredients, ask your travel advisor for a copy.
Additional info
What to Bring
Bring a head torch, work clothes and mosquito repellant.
Working gloves are recommended when harvesting food for the elephants, and essential when composting.
High-factor sun-cream/sunglasses are recommended when harvesting in the fields.
Bring a head torch, work clothes and mosquito repellant.
Working gloves are recommended when harvesting food for the elephants, and essential when composting.
High-factor sun-cream/sunglasses are recommended when harvesting in the fields.