About the Wildlife Rescue Centre in Laos
This project operates a multi-species wildlife centre in Asia’s hotspot for trafficking, just north of Laos’ capital Vientiane. We work with authorities to investigate wildlife crime and rescue animals of any species, with an aim to rehabilitate and release wherever possible. Any animals deemed unsuitable for release are offered world-class care and refuge in our Wildlife Sanctuary.
Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do at this project, and we couldn’t achieve our goals without them. Our volunteer programmes are focused on maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare and improving our facilities to accommodate new rescues.
Laos Wildlife Conservation Volunteer Programmes
We currently offer 3 different options for visitors; the main husbandry volunteering programme, a vet programme for individuals and groups, and also the 3 month internship programme too.
Main Animal Husbandry Volunteering Programme:
Volunteers work alongside our husbandry team, from cleaning, feeding, habitat construction, preparing for a rescue or providing enrichment, no day in our Wildlife Husbandry Programme is the same!
Everybody who volunteers here leaves something behind, whether it’s helping build a new enclosure, preparing rehabilitation materials for a new rescue, or ensuring our residents get world-class care, they will leave knowing they’ve impacted the lives of endangered Lao wildlife and helped move the conservation needle a bit further!
Please note: we are a hands-off rescue centre.
We take our role to try and rehabilitate our animals very seriously and direct physical human contact can be a detriment to their rehabilitation, recovery and their ability to elicit natural behaviours. As a result, Husbandry volunteers do not have direct physical contact with any of our animals. It’s great to be able to sit back and watch animals using the enrichment you have made or the new branches you have put in their enclosure and we encourage all our volunteers to enjoy observing our animals’ natural behaviours.
What does a day as a volunteer look like?
Our volunteers work between 07:00 and 16:00, six days a week, with volunteers having one day off. Volunteers have the same day off, almost always a Sunday. However, this is your experience. Therefore, if you need extra breaks you can ask for additional time off during the week. Volunteers are also encouraged to take as many breaks during the day as they need in order to stay healthy.
Below is a general outline of what your day might look like as a volunteer in our husbandry programme. However, working at a rescue centre means things can change quickly. Flexibility is key, as we prioritise giving our animals the best care – be ready to adapt and make a meaningful impact!
7:00
Kick off your day alongside our animal care professionals by preparing diets, cleaning habitats, and making sure all the animals are Bright, Alert, and Reactive (BAR). Your efforts help ensure their health and well-being as they start their day!
11:00
After completing morning husbandry tasks, jump into one of the many projects that help enhance the centre. At a rescue centre, projects can range from building and upgrading animal habitats, improving infrastructure, and caring for plants, to maintaining trails or even conducting animal observations.
12:00
After a rewarding morning of hard work caring for our animals, you’re bound to work up an appetite! Your lunch will be delivered to the Volunteer Community area, where you can enjoy a delicious Lao meal of your choice from our fantastic vegetarian menu.
13:00
Once you’ve had a hearty lunch, it’s time to get back to work by preparing afternoon diets for the animals.
14:00
In the afternoon, you’ll feed the animals needing their second meal of the day, then dive back into your morning project or start a new one. Whether you’re building, improving habitats, or helping with other tasks, there’s always more to contribute!
16:00
Finished: The rest of the day is now your own. You can relax with the other volunteers, walk around the centre and watch some of our nocturnal species, visit the pool next door, or relax in the hammock outside of your bungalow.
Please email to info@workingabroad.com if you have any questions about project activities, dates or anything else.
Vet Programme
We offer veterinary professionals and students a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in wildlife care. Volunteers work alongside our veterinary team, assisting with medical treatments, health checks, routine exams, animal welfare observations, and much more. This programme provides invaluable insight into wildlife medicine and conservation in Laos while contributing directly to the well-being of endangered species. This opportunity exists for individuals and student groups.
3-Month Internship Programme
Our internship programme offers a one-of-a-kind experience! Interns will be integrated into our team of wildlife professionals, and their longer-term commitment allows them to take on more responsibility in their role. Conservation is a vast field with many moving parts that must work together, and we’re excited to help them explore how they can make a meaningful impact on Lao conservation during their time here. We welcome interns with a variety of goals and projects, ranging from animal management and veterinary care to community engagement and educational outreach. For more details and how to apply for an internship position, please email info@workingabroad.com
