Question 1

intro

Accepted Answer

From furry to feathery to finned, hanging out with cutie patootie animals is always fun—especially when you take your creature curiosity abroad! For those looking to take a gap year and are passionate about animal welfare and interested in learning more about wildlife habitats, conservation efforts, and ongoing threats to endangered species, gap years abroad with animals abound! Opportunities are as diverse as the critters you’ll be helping out and your time abroad with animals will be rewarding as you build a better world for all of earth’s inhabitants. Alpaca your bags, animal gap year programs abroad await!

Question 2

Popular Locations

Accepted Answer

While animal welfare is an area of concern all around the world, there are some countries where massive declines in wild animal populations are overwhelming and have led to a greater need for altruistic gappers like you to lend a helping hand.

Thailand. So you know that riding elephants in Thailand is problematic and you want to hang with your favorite gentle giants in an ethical, sustainable way. Rather than contribute to the mistreatment of elephants on behalf of the tourism industry, you want to get your pad Thai fix and then help rehabilitate elephants being rescued from a life of cruel treatment and inappropriate selfies. And, if you’re looking to do a gap year abroad with animals beyond elephants, there are plenty of gap year programs where you can work with monkeys, sun bears, and all sorts of cute critters on land or by sea.

South Africa. Help protect the king of the jungle and all of his friends spending a gap year on game reserves in South Africa. If you want to work with these animals in South Africa, extensive training and some prior experience working with animals—especially if you’re working with big cats—is going to be necessary. They’re not just going to throw you into the lion’s den! Less interested in life on land? With miles of gorgeous coastline, there are tons of opportunities for you to gear up and dive right into marine conservation gap year projects abroad.

Costa Rica. There are a ton of gap year programs abroad with animals to take advantage of in Costa Rica. In between surf sessions, jungle exploration, and volcano hikes, you can work with a variety of different projects. Work to save endangered sea turtles and to safeguard hatcheries and ensure the world’s remaining sea turtles make it to the ocean for their own lifetime of adventures. Or, you can look to the jungle for a gap year with animals abroad in Costa Rica. The sloth may move slow, but deforestation and the destruction of their habitat does not. With a lot of entry-level fieldwork for you to lend a hand to, the birds will be sure to sing your praises.

Question 3

What Else You Need to Know

Accepted Answer

Costs. Cost will vary depending on the location and specifics of your gap year program with animals abroad. But the good news is that your gap year program fees to work and volunteer with animals abroad will go a long way to contribute to the overall sustainability of the project long term. Can’t quite swing the program fees? Create a FundMyTravel campaign and be sure to include the most awe-inducing animal pictures you can find.

Accommodations. Accommodation is a critical consideration for gappers choosing an animal aid program. Accommodation options for gappers can include everything from five-star housing to basic tent camping, and the whole spectrum in between. If you’re looking for luxury, angle for a program that offers higher-end accommodations. But gappers on a budget may want to stake out more basic programs with low-end accommodation, and a smaller price tag.

Visas. Visas are likewise important to keep in mind. Most program providers will offer assistance in obtaining a visa, if required for the destination. For more information and to get a general sense of what the visa situation may look like for you, visit the GoAbroad Embassy Directory.

Safety. Animals are unpredictable, so always exercise caution when trying to snuggle your furry friends. It is incredibly important to be attentive and stay aware of the animal you are handling at all times. You never know when a sloth could break out into a spontaneous charge…

Question 4

GoAbroad’s Inside Scoop

Accepted Answer

Taking a gap year with animals offers the opportunity to get to see the world from a different perspective and get know these animals in their natural habitats, learn how they live, and protect their futures. Whether you’re working with whales or wallabies or wildebeests, heading abroad to volunteer with animals will be the adventure of a lifetime. Added bonus: Shake your resume tail feathers! No doubt you will gain invaluable work experience during your time abroad with animals, especially if you’re hoping to work in the veterinary or animal care fields in the future.

Before you commit to a gap year abroad with animals, make sure you've done your due diligence to ensure the organization is not exploiting the creatures for money. They are voiceless and suffering, but it's up to us to determine if we are fixing the problem we are likely causing. You probably also know that there are programs out there that are more interested in curating epic photos for tourists than caring for other species. The best way to be sure an animal volunteer program is ethical is to ask the right questions before heading abroad.

Now you’ve just got to buy a khaki vest and watch your wildest Thornberry dreams come true! The sheer number of choices is almost too much to bear. You have to stop lion around and hop on the gap year with animals abroad train. But fur real, what are you waiting for?!

Keep reading! 10 Signs You Should Consider a Gap Year Volunteering