GoAbroad

Top Animal Welfare Volunteer Programs & Internships Abroad

VerifiedProvider
4.8 / 5Overall Rating
77Reviews
2005Year established

Program Overview

GoEco offers more than 60 wildlife and animal conservation volunteer opportunities and internships worldwide! Our programs focus on the welfare and conservation of various species, both wildlife and domestic animals. We offer volunteer opportunities and internships at wildlife rescue centers, wildlife sanctuaries, wildlife reserves and animal shelters. All of our programs are vetted and are in line with our ethical values - only ethical and supervised interactions are allowed. A few examples of our offers include working with rescued sloths in Costa Rica, rehabilitating vervet monkeys in Malawi, observing and collecting data on Africa's Big Five species and doing survey dives with whale sharks in Mozambique, just to name a few.

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Program Highlights

Make a contribution to the welfare and conservation of a variety of wildlife and domestic animals
Choose between over 60 different programs and internships!
Be rest assured you're taking part in ethical volunteering and only ethical animal interactions
Receive academic credit for qualifying programs
Expand your horizons by experience a new culture and exposure to new animals

What's Included

Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
Weekday Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Weekend Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Pre-Departure Orientation
On-Site / In-Country Staff Support

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

  • Multiple Countries

Available Terms / Availability

  • Years Offered
  • Year Round

Eligible Nationalities

  • All Nationalities

Education Levels & Language

  • Language
  • English
  • Education
  • Any/All Education Levels Accepted

Accommodation Options

  • Apartment/Flat
  • Dormitory
  • Group living
  • Guest House
  • Home-stays

Application Procedures

  • Online Application

Age Requirement

18+

Duration

  • 1-2 Weeks
  • 1-2 Years
  • 2-4 Weeks
  • 3-6 Months
  • 5-8 Weeks
  • 7-12 Months
  • 9-12 Weeks
  • Summer
  • Winter
  • Short Term
  • Spring
  • 1-3 Months
  • 1 Year
  • After College
  • Career Break / Mid-Career
  • During College
  • During High School
  • Post High School

Program Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization

4.8
77 reviews

Rating breakdown

5
64
4
13
3
0
2
0
1
0

Top categories

Program Administration
4.7
Volunteer Placement
4.7
Community Engagement
4.6
Health & Safety
4.6
Day to Day Life
4.6
Living Situation
4.3

Participated in this program? Share your experience now.

Review this Program

Showing 1-20 of 77 reviews

Mari VinsonFebruary 2020

was very helpful

Everyone on the GoEco team was very responsive and easy to communicate with. From start to finish, this group was very helpful, as well as the other workers within the shelter. I would definitely do another program if the opportunity presents itself.

Rieko ShiozakiDecember 2019

I’m proud of myself

Because of the bushfire in Australia, it freaked me out but all the supporters from GoEco put my feeling relieved and also I’m proud of myself I could be part of this project!! It was different situation than usual, but i will never forget about this experience!

Camryn SharkeySeptember 2019

This was an incredible experience

This was an incredible experience that I will never forget. I loved getting to know the staff and having fun while also getting the job done. I got to engage with animals that I’ve only dreamed of seeing. Everyone apart of this project were so kind. I came to Australia to do this volunteering to gain knowledge and experience with animals, I got more than that. I formed bonds with the animals and the people there. I highly recommend volunteering through this project.

Sarah WoodardSeptember 2019

thoroughly enjoyed

My daughter and I had a fantastic time working with animals in Australia. The work was hard but rewarding, and the interaction with the animals was priceless. We thoroughly enjoyed our local host and the employees at the wildlife sanctuary.

Alaina BaumgartSeptember 2019

wonderful experience!

Talking to the staff at the project and learning about the culture was amazing! Oscar and the rest of the staff/assistants did a fantastic job running the project and making it a wonderful experience!

Mackenzie ConnollySeptember 2019

My most memorable moment

My most memorable moment from my entire experience is when I was patrolling the beaches at night and we saw a turtle laying eggs; I was given an opportunity to rub her shell, and because the turtle swam through bioluminescence, her shell lit up.

Taylor-Renee VannUnited States · June 2019

My experience

I really loved the experience. Everything about it was memorable and amazing besides the mosquitos, but it is the jungle after all. The staff were very helpful with me and my college project and I had loads of fun. The pictures on the GoECO website were kind of misleading as people were holding animals like macaws and turtle hatchlings, as it would be least likely to experience that, but overall I don't regret this trip at all.

Mark PinoApril 2019

I learned so much from this project

Interaction with the lions on property was amazing. I learned things about the animals, the environment and nature the whole time I was there. A better breakfast should be provided. Being charged for soft drinks was unfair. The cost to get into a back from town is expensive for those who have limited funds.

Cordula HannsApril 2019

Wildlife volunteering

I experienced so incredibly much at the wildlife center, there is no most memorable moment. Every day was full of little and big great moments. Waking up with the roar from lions and hyenas, flying vultures and eagles on my arm, feeding Owls,. playing with Cheetah cubs, the great view on the mountains, bush rides through the park, being responsible for little Buschbabys- and the stuff was extraordinary nice and are the reason, why this place is so special.

Inbar ShmuelyApril 2019

Australian wildlife volunteering

I enjoyed being there and every day was a new adventure. It was a cool way to experience the wild life of Australia in a special and fun way. We fed the kangaroos and I fed a mom roo with a joey in her pocket and the Joey tried to play with my hand.

Lilly ErdmannApril 2019

Spending time with the locals was the best thing

The most memorable experiences I had with the people I worked together with. Whether it was playing cards with the Rangers on Rinca island or the locals trying to teach me their traditional dances.

Susan O'BrienMarch 2019

Always amazing

I think the walks to and from the tortoise center were always amazing. Being able to locally snorkel and hike were spectacular. I also enjoyed the local snorkel trips. recommend that one does not do door to door in Isabella in one go without stopovers on the way or return.

Sally KCanada · February 2019

Warm the heart by feeding the homeless

I loved everything about this project! I loved cooking and then bringing food to the people in need. I also really enjoyed hearing stories both from other volunteer organisations as well as the homeless people themselves. I think this is a great project for anyone who wants to see the sometimes not so pretty side of Sydney, but one that is definitely very rewarding.

Alisa NemNew Zealand · February 2019

My awesome time with Aussie animals!

I loved hanging out with my new furry friends everyday :) Having lunch with the kangaroos, cleaning up the wombat enclosure and giving a sneaky pat to the sleepy koalas, really made my experience worthwhile. What I also liked about this project was that it wasn't just Australian animals, but that they had lot's of others too, including birds, farm animals and even an alligator. We were always kept busy taking care of the park and it's animals, working closely with the rangers and interacting with park visitors. Our accommodation was also close to Newcastle, which was a nice change from the busy Sydney city center. Make sure you check out the wineries nearby on your day off or take a dip on a quiet beach. Definitely a great choice to start my Aussie adventures!

Anna HawkinsEngland · February 2019

I had an amazing time

My experience was absolutely amazing! Had such a good time, what I loved most was how much interaction I had with the animals! Everyday was so cool! Even though sometimes it would be very hard work it pays off by being able to be with the animals!

Stephanie SterrenburgDecember 2018

First time traveling

This was the best part of my life, first time traveling. I was nervous and a little scared but everyone has been so nice and supportive throughout the whole process. I've experienced some amazing places, people and absolutely love the culture. Wish I could have stayed longer and spent more times with the turtles though! Will definitely be back to bali that's for sure, x :)

Estefania LeonDecember 2018

I loved my time

I loved my time as a volunteer, of course there’s ups and downs but it’s all part of the experience!! Thank you GoEco for making this possible. For me, maybe it could be useful to have even more insight about the project and what it takes to be the best volunteer that you can be!

Jannine PrasadAustralia · November 2018

Best experience of my life!

This was a once in a lifetime experience that I am so glad to have been a part of! I was very nervous being a first time traveller but the administration team made everything so easy and worry free! The island was amazing and the program was absolutely wonderful! I am so glad to have made a difference in these turtles lives. I definitely would visit again!

Sean ChongMalaysia · November 2018

Amazing interaction with turtles

The 2 weeks I have spent in Sri Lanka allowed me to look into the lives of the local people and truly see the impact of sea pollution on turtles. Definitely worth the trip to make to be more aware of the environmental damage being done.

Charlotte BedfordSeptember 2018

Working here was absolutely amazing

Working here was absolutely amazing, I loved it so much I have already planned to back next year for 6 months. Meeting new people, the monkeys and the bonds you make made the experience unforgettable!

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Recognitions & Awards

Awards and accreditations earned by this provider

Top Rated Provider Volunteer Abroad 2025
Innovative Volunteer Abroad Program
GoAbroad Innovation Awards 2024 Finalist - Intern Abroad Program
Top Rated Provider 2023 - Notable Mention
Innovation in Sustainability Finalist 2022
Innovation in Sustainability 2021 Finalist
Innovative New Program Volunteer Abroad 2020 Finalist
2019 Notable Mentions
GoAbroad Innovative New Program - Volunteer Abroad
GoAbroad Top Rated Organization 2017 (Notable Mention)
Global Youth Travel Awards 2018
GoAbroad Top Volunteer Abroad Organization 2018
World Youth Student & Educational Travel Confederation

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