Costa Rica – Pre-Vet Sloth and Wildlife Rescue Center

Free 3rd Week Grant – Get the 3rd week free when you sign up for two weeks or more. Limited grants are available for start dates between September 2024 and December 2024. Schedule a call to apply.

Join one of the top wildlife rescue centers in Costa Rica, focused on the rehabilitation and release of injured and orphaned animals, including sloths, monkeys, and birds. Volunteers assist with shadowing and supporting on-site veterinarians in rehabilitation efforts, while also working with feeding, cleaning enclosures, and providing enrichment for over 100 animals on site.

 

Program Highlights: 

  • Work alongside experienced veterinarians and contribute to animal care efforts.
  • Acquire practical skills in wildlife conservation and animal care.
  • Participate in preparing meals and providing care for over 100 animals.
  • As a GoEco volunteer, you’ll become part of the vet team on-site.
  • Take part in fun weekly activities, including yoga sessions, movie nights, excursions, and Spanish language lessons.
  • Connect with fellow volunteers from different parts of the globe.

 

Your schedule at a glance:

Arrival day, Sunday: Private airport pickup and transfer to the rescue center at any time. Settle in your new home and meet the volunteers.

Monday: Volunteer orientation

Monday – Sunday: meaningful volunteer work at the rescue center as part of the veterinary team.

Thursday: Volunteers are guaranteed one day off each week, usually on a Thursday. However, this may vary depending on the volunteer rotation schedule. Many volunteers use this time to unwind or participate in organized tours around Costa Rica, which can be arranged on-site.

Sunday: Departure and transfer to the airport or continue with the program. Note departure transfers on a schedule, a private drop off at any hour can be added for an additional fee.

 

Location icon Location of the Project: Guacima District in the Alajuela Canton, just a short drive from the Juan Santamaría International Airport.

Project length Project length: Minimum 2 weeks – Maximum 12 weeks

Arrival Airport Arrival Airport: Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)

Volunteer Work Volunteer Work: Wildlife care and conservation

Age Age: Min 18

Number of Volunteers Number of Volunteers: Up to 100 volunteers on site, a smaller team is dedicated to the pre-vet work.

Important Note Important Note: Arrival and departure days are on a Sunday.

 

What’s Included

Accommodations Accommodations: Multiple volunteer housing options from 4 to 8 people per room with a shared bathroom.

Food Food: 3 delicious and healthy meals per day prepared by our private chefs (we also cater to vegetarians, vegans, gluten-free diets and all allergies).

Airport Transfers Airport Transfers: We provide a private airport pickup on arrival at any hour, and a departure shared shuttle at the end of your stay at scheduled times.

Orientation Orientation: We provide a full orientation on the first Monday. Welcome package which includes a volunteer t-shirt, carry bag, beach towel, pillowcase, water bottle and a hat or coffee mug.

Support Support: Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.

 

What’s not Included

Flights, visas (if required), private airport drop off upon request can be added for an additional fee, travel health insurance, and personal expenses.

Costa Rica is one of the world’s most popular ecotourism destinations, because of its incredible biodiversity. Scientists estimate that Costa Rica may contain as much as 5% of the earth’s plant and animal species! Costa Rica translates to “rich coast” in Spanish for its diverse landscapes, which include rainforests, tropical and temperate forests, volcanoes, beaches, high mountains and marshy lowlands.

The Wildlife Rescue Center is in Alajuela on a 10 acre farm, just a short drive from the Juan Santamaría International Airport.

Costa Rica is a well-known destination for sustainable and nature tourism. Yet, its diverse wildlife is still under many threats. These include habitat loss because of development, electrocutions, dog and cat attacks, and illegal pet trading.

We work with one of the best wildlife organizations in Costa Rica. They dedicate themselves to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of local animals.

There is an on-site hospital staffed by dedicated vets/interns and comfortable living quarters, which can house up to 100+ volunteers. The animal enclosures include an aviary, sloth gardens, and monkey cages, all surrounded by nature. This provides the animals a place similar to their natural habitat as they recover from their wounds.

As a volunteer, you’ll join the Vet Team of volunteers on site, and you will help the local staff treat sick, injured and orphaned animals. Their primary goal is to release animals back to the wild when possible. Your volunteer tasks may include some of the following tasks:

  • Preparing food for the animals
  • Cleaning and upkeep of animal enclosures
  • Feeding the animals who are sick or babies who need more attention
  • Assisting or shadowing the on-site vets with treatments, cleanings, checkups
  • Participate in educational lessons throughout the placement from the vets
  • Learn how to calculate medicines for the sick and injured wildlife
  • Shadowing surgeries if they occur
  • Providing a caring environment for the animals and checking for injuries
  • Taking part in educational community projects

 

Internet icon Internet: WiFi is available

Laundry icon Laundry: Laundry service is available

Accommodations icon Accommodations: Multiple volunteer housing options from 4 to 8 people per room with a shared bathroom.

Food icon Food: 3 delicious and healthy meals per day prepared by our private chefs (we also cater to vegetarians, vegans, gluten-free diets and all allergies).

 

  • GoEco Interview
  • Minimum age of 18
  • Physically fit
  • The Pre-Vet program requires students to be on the pre-vet track, however it’s not required to be in vet-school
  • Love and respect for animals
  • Flexible and open-minded to do all kinds of chores, depending on project needs
  • Adaptability to the weather in Costa Rica (tropical climate – high temperatures and humidity during the rainy season)
  • All volunteers coming from South America or Africa must have a yellow fever vaccination certification in order to enter Costa Rica

As a volunteer, you can join daily night activities, including Zumba lessons, night walks, bonfires, trivia, movie night and much more…

The program also includes weekly tours to many tourist destinations throughout the country. Some options include:

  • Jaco Beach where you can ride ATV’s and Canopy Tours (zip lines),
  • Manuel Antonio National Park where you can tour the rainforest or relax on the beach,
  • Monterverde Cloud Forest where you can enjoy the hanging bridges,
  • Arenal Volcano where you can submerge yourself in the warm, beautiful hot springs.

Volunteer Experiences

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