Animal Protection – Zoo Assistant

You will work to remedy this by providing care and rehabilitation for various animal species at the zoo, a super rewarding volunteering experience!

THE PROJECT:

With a mission to provide recreation and education alternatives to the community, the Zoo exhibits species from the Andean and south-eastern Amazon region and the development of strategies that recognize the importance of conserving the biodiversity of fauna present in our country.

Our Animal Care Program gives volunteers the chance to help animals that lack the proper care in Peru. At the program your time and talents will be greatly appreciated by not only the staff but the animals that deserve quality living conditions. 

The project is located in the city of Cusco and belongs to one of the best Universities. And is care for by the 2 caretaker who coordinate de local activities and have sure all animals are in good conditions. They have help from the Biology and Veterinary students.

The project requires volunteers who are innovative, motivated, and willing to take charge.

Volunteer tasks may include:

 At the project, you will help staff to take care of the zoo animals, by assisting with feeding, cleaning, and maintaining their living environments. Volunteers are able to help in the mornings or afternoons as the work is taken all day. Volunteers can participate in guided tour with local students. From the zoo staff you will learn about the variety of animals and the unique habits and histories behind each one.

We will give you the equipment you will need for working, during raining season (November to March) you may require to bring raining jackets so you can walk around the project easily and it is important that you bring adequate clothing as you will get a little dirty.

NOTE** Project is available all year.

• Volunteer placement
• Volunteer project management and administration for your selected program length
• Program and Safety orientation
• Pre-departure support
•  Accommodations at host family
• 2 meals a day (breakfast and dinner)
• Airport pick-up
• Volunteer certificate
• Recommendation Letter
• Transport to volunteer project the first day
• 24/7 support from our staff in Peru

**Your fee also contributes to the purchase of needed supplies for improvements at your project.

Accommodation:

Volunteers will stay in a homestay where they will live with a local family. Volunteers can expect to share a room with one or two other. We highly recommend staying with a family; that way you will also learn the Peruvian way of life, meet local people, eat typical food, speak the language (Spanish) and engage in local customs and traditions.

Volunteers will be sharing bathroom and common areas with other volunteers and members of the family.

Accommodation is from Sunday to Saturday, check out at 10:30am

**Volunteers arriving before Sunday or staying after Saturday, will be charged US$25.00 per extra night at accommodation.

Food & Beverages

2 meals are included (breakfast and dinner). Volunteers can expect to experience a variety of flavors and meals during their experience as Peruvian food is diverse. We will be glad to let the family know if you have special eating needs. Please let us know ahead of time so that we can make arrangements for you.

Arrival in Cusco!

Once you arrive in Cusco, please pick up your bags and then step out of the airport. Our PEVolunteer representative will be waiting for you there with a sign that has your name written on it.

The first day of volunteer’s program (normally Sunday) is upon arrival in Cusco, Volunteer will be pickup from the airport and then transfer to our host family. Here volunteers will have the day to rest and acclimatize.

First day! Your Introduction

Volunteers orientation will begin on Monday at around 9:00 am at our office in Cusco and will be conducted by our staff. It will cover everything you need to know for your volunteer placement in the city including an introduction to Peru, Peruvian customs, Spanish Classes, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities in Peru, and an introduction to your project and placement.

The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.

Once our orientation is complete, volunteers will be transported to their projects usually by public bus, with some exception of some walking distance projects. Upon arrival, Volunteer will be introduced to projects Directors and can start working at the same day.

Spanish language courses are available for all volunteers regardless of their ability.

PEVolunteer strongly recommends these for all volunteers unless they are extremely fluent.

Volunteers should strongly consider these courses as they will allow them to work and communicate with all parties more efficiently during their stay. These language courses are organized on arrival in Peru at the program orientation.

The language course is tailored to each volunteer’s current level of Spanish.

For more information on our Spanish courses please click here

While our programs are flexible and can be fit to your requirements, an example of a typical day is as follows:

Monday to Friday:

7:30 AM – Breakfast with host family
8:00 AM – Volunteer leaves to the project
8:30 AM – Arrival at the project, beginning of Volunteering
1:00 PM – End of project
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM  Lunch (free time)
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM Free time
7-7:30PM – Dinner with the host family

**The volunteers on afternoons are free to visit and explore the city, or can chose to take Spanish classes which can be arrange at our office.

On the weekend, volunteers have spare time and usually relax or take the opportunity to explore other parts of their local town and Peru. Long weekends can be taken to travel further afield such as Machu Picchu, Colca Canyon or Lake Titicaca.

At PEVolunteer we organize fun and interesting tours for our volunteers, so just let us know where you would like to go!

– The minimum age for volunteers is 18 years old unless traveling with family members over 18 or their school.

– No previous volunteer experience or other qualifications are necessary as all skills are useful in our projects.

– We do require volunteers to be aware that they will encounter cultural differences in Peru, which they must be prepared to respect.

– Our volunteers must be willing to engage in their project and be open-minded towards the dissimilarities they may encounter.

– Step one, fill out our application by clicking “Apply Now”. Make sure to add info@pevolunteer.org to your email safe list to ensure receipt of our response.

– A no-refundable, no-transferable payment of US$250.00 must be paid at time of booking.

– After reserving your place please book your flight and send us your flight information so we can schedule your airport pick-up. Also, visit your doctor for any vaccinations you may require and do not hesitate to ask us any questions that you may have.

– Upon receipt of your details you will be sent our in-depth pre-departure brochure full of indispensable tips regarding preparation and packing, your destination and its customs, your accommodations, travel requirements and suggestion.

– The remaining total is due 10 days before the start of your program.

– Join us Helping and Traveling in Peru!

• National and International flights are not included
• Please let us know for any additional night
• Insurances are not included
• Please have a valid passport at time of travel
• Departure transfer is not included