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Wolf, Wolfdog and Husky Sanctuary Helper

location
2 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 17 - 50+
Verified

Highlights

  • Assist with enrichment of rescued Wolves, Wolf dogs and Huskies at a sanctuary keeping them stimulated in captivity making "bark boxes', grooming and walking
  • Help with the feeding and care of rescued Marmosets, Alpacas and farm animals which live at the sanctuary
  • Take part in food preparation and feeding of various species of animals and learn about their diet and needs

Highlights

  • Assist with enrichment of rescued Wolves, Wolf dogs and Huskies at a sanctuary keeping them stimulated in captivity making "bark boxes', grooming and walking
  • Help with the feeding and care of rescued Marmosets, Alpacas and farm animals which live at the sanctuary
  • Take part in food preparation and feeding of various species of animals and learn about their diet and needs
  • Spend time with the rescued huskies assisting to socialise them
  • Jam packed weekends filled with extreme sports, whale & dolphin watching, local markets, lagoon cruises, beach & forest walks, wildlife safaris & animal sanctuaries


  • Especially good for

    Age 17+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Help out at an animal sanctuary working with rescued wolves, wolfdogs and rescued huskies and other animals like marmosets, llamas, tortoises and farm animals

    Surrounded by beautiful pine forests, this beautiful, serene 6-hectare sanctuary, founded in 2000, is home to rescued ex-pets and animals from the exotic pet trade. There are two areas that you could help with, one being with the wolves, wolf dogs, huskies, marmosets, tortoises and the other with ...

    About the program

    Surrounded by beautiful pine forests, this beautiful, serene 6-hectare sanctuary, founded in 2000, is home to rescued ex-pets and animals from the exotic pet trade. There are two areas that you could help with, one being with the wolves, wolf dogs, huskies, marmosets, tortoises and the other with the farmyard animals like the goats, pigs, sheep, horses, donkeys, emu, alpacas and bunnies.

    You would work as part of a team under the animal manager and between duties, have time to spend special moments with the animals.

    You will work Monday to Friday with plenty of time to explore the neighbouring areas on weekends from blue flag beaches, hiking, wildlife reserves, animal sanctuaries to getting to partake in the fantastic extreme sports the area has to offer

    Currently there are several packs comprising of wolves, wolf dogs, huskies and 2 marmoset brothers. The wolves, wolf dogs and huskies get fed once a day while the marmosets need to be fed twice a day

    The farmyard animals get fed three times a day so lots of feeding routines to help with

    Morning feeds start early at 8.00 am and the day normally ends at 5pm with lots of little breaks in-between. Please be aware some of the animals are fed a healthy raw food diet so meat is handled and needs to be prepared

    Your duties may include:

    • Food preparation- you will receive instruction on how to do this and what each animal’s diet is and how much to give them
    • Feeding routines through designated areas of the sanctuary
    • Checking the fences of the nature sanctuary
    • Cleaning, tidying, and repairing animal enclosures
    • Building new enclosures and expanding existing enclosures
    • Making animal enrichments like “bark boxes” and of course they love soft toys, so any donations are always welcome although they do not last too long
    • Walking and running the huskies. This needs to be done to alleviate boredom. The huskies in particular love a lot of attention. One of the huskies has Down Syndrome so in his case, a more slower pace walk is needed
    • Grooming and playing with the huskies
    • Removing alien and invasive vegetation around the sanctuary
    • Guiding tourists around the sanctuary and helping with the wolf tours. This is also a great way to learn about the background of the animals that are homed at the sanctuary
    • Helping with cutting firebreaks around the sanctuary
    • Assisting with general duties in the restaurant
    • Unloading deliveries
    • Administration work and any other general maintenance or project needed at the time
    • Assisting with social media- great photos of the animals are always appreciated
    If you have any specific skills or qualifications that you feel could be of extra help, please let us know



    Typical day

    Typical day

    • 7.00am – Wake up, freshen up, grab a bite to eat for breakfast and prepare a light lunch for the day
    • 7.30am – You will be collected at your accommodation by your volunteer coordinator to be taken to the sanctuary
    • 8.00am to 9.00am – Arrive at the sanctuary to help prepare the food for ...

    Typical day

    Typical day

    • 7.00am – Wake up, freshen up, grab a bite to eat for breakfast and prepare a light lunch for the day
    • 7.30am – You will be collected at your accommodation by your volunteer coordinator to be taken to the sanctuary
    • 8.00am to 9.00am – Arrive at the sanctuary to help prepare the food for and start the feeding routines
    • 9.00am to 10.00am – Time to do the rounds of the sanctuary and check that all is in order with the enclosures and animals
    • 10.00 am to 10.30am -Tea break
    • 10.30am to 1pm – Allocated volunteer daily duties or project
    • 1.00 to 2.00pm – Break for lunch
    • 2.00pm to 5.00pm – Complete your daily project and if finished early, enjoy some quiet time with the animals
    • 5.00pm- Your volunteer coordinator will collect you and drive you back to your volunteer accommodation or you may choose to spend a bit of time at the shops


    Free-time activities

    The area that Knysna is situated is the Garden Route of the province of the Western Cape and it is a dream for animal lovers and extreme sports enthusiasts as there are numerous private wildlife reserves, national parks, whale watching, predator sanctuaries, primate sanctuaries, elephant ...

    Free-time activities

    The area that Knysna is situated is the Garden Route of the province of the Western Cape and it is a dream for animal lovers and extreme sports enthusiasts as there are numerous private wildlife reserves, national parks, whale watching, predator sanctuaries, primate sanctuaries, elephant sanctuaries, bird sanctuaries, skydiving, paragliding, sandboarding, ziplining, numerous interesting markets, quaint shops and fantastic restaurants so boredom is not an option and weekends are jam-packed. It is very easy to find your feet, so volunteers tend to settle in within a few days. You will be given a site induction  on arrival



    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 17 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 17 years old on the program start date.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level)

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    Students studying zoology, conservation or veterinary medicine are also welcome. Those with a background in dog training, behaviourists or rescue would be a bonus

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 08:00 - 17:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    Food, shared accommodation, meeting you at the airport, airport collection and drop-off, weekly transport to and from your project, donation, pre-departure support, in-country staff, 24- emergency help and more


    Airport Pickup at George Airport

    You will need to fly into George Airport between 09h00 and 16h00 for your airport collection where you will be met by your Volunteer International Adventures representative and driven to your volunteer accommodation in Knysna. On completion of your project, you will be driven back to George Airport in time for your return flight which must be any time after 10h30. If arriving by coach from Cape Town, you will be fetched and dropped off at the coach depot in Knysna. Arrivals and departures must be Monday to Fridays and not weekends.

    Accommodation

    The volunteer accommodation is a comfortable, self-catering flat located just a few minutes’ walk from Knysna town center, providing easy access to shopping malls, restaurants, takeaways, gyms, nightlife, entertainment, and essential services. The flat features a fully equipped kitchen with a dining table, fridge, kettle, induction plate, and all necessary utensils for meal preparation. The bathrooms are fitted with showers, sinks, and toilets. For leisure, there are TVs and access to a pool for hot summer days, as well as a private garden area with a picnic table for outdoor dining. Laundry facilities are available for personal use, and we provide laundry detergent. The property is secured with perimeter beams and situated in a quiet, safe neighborhood. Accommodation options include shared or private rooms, depending on volunteer numbers. Additionally, there is WIFI, and arrangements can be made for couples, friends, and families to stay together. There is a cleaner once a week.

    If the volunteer flat is full, we have other self-catering options that are walking distance to the town centre and its amenities and very comfortable.

    Food & Beverages

    You will receive a food allowance during your volunteer project to cover your basic essentials for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. As part of your induction upon arrival in Knysna, you'll be taken on a grocery shopping trip. A fully equipped kitchen is available for you to prepare and cook your meals. Additionally, the area offers plenty of grocery stores, restaurants, and take-away options for your convenience.

    Internet Access

    Limited access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is George Airport (GRJ) in George. We assist you to find cheap flights to South Africa. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for South Africa provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in South Africa you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for South Africa. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    Starting days are Monday to Friday all year round. Closed between the 12th of December and the 15th of January.


    Dates are open for 2026 with a small increase for 2026. Quotes on applying. 

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program Fees

    $706 per week 2 - 12 weeks Age 17 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    2 - 12 weeks

    Deposit

    Reserve your spot with just a few clicks and a small, secure deposit. You can pay by credit card, PayPal, or other convenient methods.


    Final Payment

    You’ll agree on the final payment method with your local organization during the application process. This final payment is only due closer to the start of your trip.

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    Meet your project coordinator

    Sharon
    89
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    4.78
    Brilliant
    2020
    Founded

    Verified

      Very high response rate
    Spoken languages: Afrikaans, English
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    Contact Sharon
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    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

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