Help Wildlife with Toucan Rescue Ranch!
Welcome to Toucan Rescue Ranch's service program! Volunteers assist with daily activities such as providing proper diets to our various wildlife, as well as contributing to the overall success and culture of TRR. As a volunteer, you may also play a key role in other important activities such as assisting with animal husbandry, helping coordinate events for our education program, or working to improve animal enclosures and giving enrichment.
The duties of a volunteer are both fulfilling and rewarding!
Depending on the volunteer’s background and personality, they may be asked if they would like to help with other tasks. All volunteers are observed on how well they handle themselves around wildlife to determine further responsibility.
- Food preparations: chopping fruit and vegetables, cutting fish, preparing carnivorous diets
- Feeding: collecting and washing animal dishes, distributing food, and refilling water
- Cleaning: Enclosures, driveway, clinic kennels, prep areas, and outdoor kitchen
- General maintenance: assisting with enclosure repairs, yard work, organizing work areas, and so forth
WARNING: Volunteering is hard work! This job is fully outside (regardless of weather) and requires medium physical fitness. Get ready to have your hands dirty! Learn more about the various requirements and steps you need to take to become a volunteer at the Toucan Rescue Ranch!
Fill out our volunteer application form below!
You must check off all of these boxes to be eligible to volunteer at Toucan Rescue Ranch
- Be able to commit at least four weeks or at least 20 days of volunteering. A longer duration is preferred.
- Must be 18 years or older
- Must have a current tetanus vaccination (good for ten years)
- Must have two doses of Covid-19 vaccination
- International emergency medical insurance that covers you while volunteering.
- Willingness to get dirty, sweaty, tired, and work for wildlife
Toucan Rescue Ranch requires people volunteering at Toucan Rescue Ranch to donate $200 flat fee * for a limited time only *. This deposit ensures that you are committed to the cause while also contributing to the #Papayaislife Fund, which provides housing, food, and general costs to run the rescue center and sanctuary.
The donation fee is refundable for all international volunteers who commit 12 weeks or longer. To receive this refund, you must donate through PayPal - you do not need a PayPal account.
This fee is waived for all local volunteers.
Activities dealing with wildlife require that volunteers wear protective gear. If you can offer a special skill, please include it in the Volunteer Application.
- Deep clean enclosures with the guidance of an intern
- Help provide enrichment for the rescued residence
- Contribute to our Education Program
- Help administration with data entry
- Assist volunteer coordinators with volunteer activities and events
- Become a tour guide
You will be working on a diverse and dynamic team known as the TOUCAN TEAM. This team is responsible for the day-to-day demands of the animals in our care. This schedule is variable to change to morning and evening shifts and is dependent on the volume of volunteers.
- The standard schedule is 5-days a week from 7:00 a.m. – 3 p.m. Please keep in mind that hours might vary based on workload and amount of volunteers
- Two consecutive days off per week - not necessarily weekends or holidays
When working with animals, it’s essential to understand all risks. The Toucan Rescue Ranch ensures the volunteer’s safety and its rescued wildlife. Please provide allergy or other medicines needed in your application. For your safety, you must provide proof of international medical insurance and a current tetanus shot (within the last ten years). This insurance must include coverage for Covid-19 while in the country. If you are curious about our Covid-19 protocol, please refer to our blog.
By agreeing to come to volunteer/intern at Toucan Rescue Ranch, you must be aware that while working with wildlife, you may encounter zoonotic diseases. It’s your responsibility to follow strict biosecurity measures advised by the staff while volunteering or as an intern at Toucan Rescue Ranch.
Housing is not provided for volunteers, however, we do provide the housing listed below (prices may vary):
- Option 1: Homestays with local families. Includes a bedroom, bathroom, three meals per day, access to laundry facilities, and Wi-Fi. Shared common areas with the host family. The fee is an average of $25 per day. All locations are within walking distance of TRR or a local bus stop.
- Option 2:Â Rent from Toucan Rescue Ranch in our Volunteer and Intern House! Â The house has four bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, a large living room area, and a kitchen available after 4 p.m. The cost is $30 per day. Access to laundry facilities and Wi-Fi. Quick walking distance to the Toucan Rescue Ranch.
All homestay and living accommodations are directly booked with the homeowners. Please review our HOMESTAY document to review prices and options in the area.
Toucan Rescue Ranch has two locations: our headquarters in San Josecito, San Isidro, Heredia, and our Release Site in Nazareth, Sarapiqui, Heredia. As a volunteer, you will do the same work: cleaning enclosures, feeding animals, watering animals, providing enrichment, doing yard work, and supporting staff in general chores. Both locations have wildlife like toucans, raptors, macaws, parrots, and sloths.
Headquarters is a much larger operation located in a cloud forest near the center of Costa Rica. This location is close to the country's capital, San Jose. This location is a good fit for you if you want to be close to shopping centers and extracurricular activities. Headquarters is in the mountains, where you will experience a cooler climate in a cloud forest. The main site is where the Toucan Rescue Ranch's sanctuary has a larger diversity in wildlife and is where most operations occur. Most of the staff, interns, and volunteers work on this site.
Main Release Site is a small operation located in the tropical rainforest of Costa Rica. This location is in a rural agriculture community with a small church, a convenience store, and a soccer field. This location is a good fit for you if you want to be in the jungle in a remote setting. The Release Site is in a humid and warm climate in the Caribbean Slope. The Release Site is where Toucan Rescue Ranch does most of its rewilding programs. It cares for a much smaller population of animals with less diversity in species. This site is managed by a much smaller team of people.
- Headquarters: San Josecito, San Isidro, Heredia
- Main Release Site: Nazareth, Sarapiqui, Heredia
I'd Like to Apply!Â
If you’d like to be a volunteer, please complete the Google Form application. If you have any questions regarding the application process, you can email [email protected]. Once fully completed, please email it as an attachment to [email protected]. We will reply to your application inquiry within 1-week.
Please check your SPAM folder for any correspondence from our recruiters at [email protected]
If you are looking for an internship, please visit our Internship page.Â
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