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Ecuador - Wild Animal Rescue Shelter logo

Ecuador - Wild Animal Rescue Shelter

by: GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization

4.67 (12)VerifiedSince 2005

Spend a week getting to know the beautiful city of Quito, Ecuador! Partake in a week of touring and Spanish lessons. Travel highlights include a visit to the Equator and a salsa dance lesson. Volunteer work will take place in Puyo, where volunteers will be working at an animal shelter that has rescued injured wild animals. As a volunteer on this project, you will be involved in several hands-on tasks, such as helping to maintain the animals shelter as well as preparing fruit meals for the animals.

Program Highlights

Take a trip to the Equator and enjoy a free salsa dance lesson!

Tour the Ecuadorian city of Quito!

Provide care to rescued wild animals in need.

Take a week of Spanish lessons.

Help to maintain the wild animal rescue shelter through various volunteer tasks.

Quick Details

Locations:
  • Puyo, Ecuador
  • Quito, Ecuador
Availability
Year(s) Offered: Year RoundDuration:
  • 1-2 Weeks
  • 2-4 Weeks
  • 5-8 Weeks
  • 9-12 Weeks
Age Requirement: 18+
Types & Subjects
Adventure Types:
  • Heritage Tourism
  • Rafting
  • Tours
Focus Areas:
  • Community Service & Volunteering
Fields:
  • Animal Sciences
  • Education
  • Zoology & Wildlife Sciences
Causes:
  • Animal Welfare
  • Conservation
  • Eco-Tourism
  • Education
  • Wildlife
Types:
  • Adventure Travel
  • Animals
  • Volunteering
Guidelines:
  • All Nationalities
See all program details
Last Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Awards

Top Rated Provider Volunteer Abroad 2025Innovative Volunteer Abroad ProgramGoAbroad Innovation Awards 2024 Finalist - Intern Abroad ProgramTop Rated Provider 2023 - Notable MentionInnovation in Sustainability Finalist 2022

Program Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about the programs

Overall Rating

4.67

Total Reviews

12

Meaningful Moments and Memorable Adventures Abroad

February 18, 2026by: Manny Kong
4

Planting trees in a local school, we get to do something meaningful. And we played ball games with students, even if we don't speak the same language, but we played well. Also participate in birthday party for a lady, played bingo with local senior citizens. It was very warm and nice.<br>Aside from these, we have seen so many special animals, spectacular scenery.

I wish them the very best

December 06, 2023by: celine
5

Yana Cocha has fulfilled every thing I ever wanted from my volunteer experience with wildlife. I wish them the very best and hope goeco continues to help their great rescue mission with help from volunteers the best possible way you can.

Great experience

August 12, 2021by: Mariana
5

The most memorable experience i am taking home from the sanctuary is the release of the scooter monkeys & turtles. It's such an overwhelming experience.. To know that the teams work along w the monkeys will, to return to a place they once called home.

Amazing experience

August 09, 2021by: Coco
4

The wildlife Sanctuary was an amazing experience and not only did I get to connect with amazing volunteers from around the world, I also got to connect with amazing animals. everything was so hands on and personal, and the experience has definitely changed me.

The most memorable experience

December 23, 2020by: Marquez
5

The most memorable experience i am taking home from Yanacocha is the release of the scooter monkeys & turtles. It’s such an overwhelming experience..To know that the teams work along w the monkeys will, to return to a place they once called home. Make volunteers more aware of the living situations. That way they can bring more stuff they would need. Also, making them aware if they are vegan/ vegetarian.. to bring protein supplements/powder because they won’t get the nutritional value they would normally get

It was all memorable

February 09, 2020by: Francesca Costa
4

I couldn’t have imagined how amazing this trip was. I was first of all I wasn’t so keen on doing time in Quito before the animal centre but I am so glad I did. What an incredible city witch amazing activities organised by Go Eco. It was all memorable.

Wonderful animals and an amazing team

December 03, 2019by: Jenny Galliard
5

I was volunteering for a month in the Wild Animal Rescue Shelter and it was amazing. Releasing a Sloth in the wild, helping hand feeding babies owl, helping taking care of all the wonderful animals with an amazing team was just an incredible experience.

amazing place!

August 04, 2019by: Natali Doebler
5

The animal rescue center in Puyo is an amazing place! The people there are so friendly and you can see the impact one has on the life of the animals! My most memorable experience was taking care of the monkeys on the monkey island! Loved it every time!

A complete dream!

May 20, 2019by: Rebecca Moss
5

Getting to volunteer with the animals and work with people just as passionate and enthusiastic as I was was a complete dream! I will always remember my time here very fondly and hope to return in the future!The week of Spanish lessons at the beginning of the volunteer programme was not necessary for the placement. I don’t think that this should be mandatory.

Thank you!

April 18, 2019by: Lisa Feiertagn
5

I did expect to pet more animals in the wildlife sanctuary.. but I didn’t and that’s means it’s a REAL sanctuary that cares about the animals and their natural habitat. I learned so much and I’m going back really soon for sure!!! The accommodation in Quito, it’s party outside of the hostel 24/7 so no sleep at all! Anything else was one of the best trips I’ve ever done and probably changed my life forever! Thank you!! <3

Fun experience!

August 29, 2018by: Nili Caine
4

During the orientation week we had a day in the market that was published as part of the Spanish course, however we still had to pay extra money for it. It wasn't much, but it would have been nice to know in advanced. Other than that, it was a very nice and fun experience!

Amazing

August 22, 2018by: Zsuzsa Schlier
5

The beauty of the region was astonishing. It is a place where I would like to return someday. It was an amazing experience overall. I have met great people, the local staff was very friendly. I enjoyed working at the animal shelter, I recommend it for every animal lover. I also learned a lot and I am sure that this experience will impact my future choices.

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

  • Puyo, Ecuador
  • Quito, Ecuador

Types and Subjects

  • Adventure Types
  • Heritage Tourism
  • Rafting
  • Tours
  • Focus Areas
  • Community Service & Volunteering
  • Fields
  • Animal Sciences
  • Education
  • Zoology & Wildlife Sciences
  • Causes
  • Animal Welfare
  • Conservation
  • Eco-Tourism
  • Education
  • Wildlife
  • Types
  • Adventure Travel
  • Animals
  • Volunteering

Availability

Years Offered: Year Round

Duration:
  • 1-2 Weeks
  • 2-4 Weeks
  • 5-8 Weeks
  • 9-12 Weeks
Intern Duration:
  • 1-3 Months
Gap Year Timing:
  • After College
  • Career Break / Mid-Career
  • During College
  • During High School
  • Post High School

Age Requirement

18+

Guidelines

All Nationalities

Program Cost Includes

  • Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
  • Weekday Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
  • Some Meals / Partial Meal Plan
  • Airport Transfer (Pick-Up)
  • On-Site / In-Country Staff Support
  • Pre-Departure Orientation
  • Cultural Training / Program / Orientation

Qualifications & Experience

      Accepted Education Levels

    • Any/All Education Levels Accepted

    Application Procedures

    • Online Application
    GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization

    GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization

    4.67Verified

    Ready to Learn More?

    Spend a week getting to know the beautiful city of Quito, Ecuador! Partake in a week of touring and Spanish lessons. Travel highlights include a visit to the Equator and a salsa dance lesson. Volunteer work will take place in Puyo, where volunteers will be working at an animal shelter that has rescued injured wild animals. As a volunteer on this project, you will be involved in several hands-on tasks, such as helping to maintain the animals shelter as well as preparing fruit meals for the animals.

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