Tips to volunteer at Wildlife Rescue Centre

We have experience of volunteering at wildlife rescue centres since 2005. 
Check out our tips before you decide your next wildlife rescue centre adventure.

Volunteer at Wildlife Rescue Centre and more

Animal rescue centres are so important to the conservation effort as they take in animals that have been affected by human activity and offer rehabilitation and medical attention. Whilst some animal rescue centers do rehabilitate and release these animals back into the wild this is not always possible. For example, those animals that have been raised as pets or that have physical disabilities are not fit to survive in the wild and so they will live out their lives in these animal rescue centers or specific sanctuaries. This is why enrichment is such an important factor in animal welfare management alongside conservation education with the community in order to promote the protection of these species and their habitat and reduce the number of animals needing rescue centers. If you are considering being a volunteer at an animal rescue centre there are a few things you should know beforehand.

Rescue Centres, Rehabilitation centres and Sanctuaries, what is the difference?

Rescue Centres

Rescue Centres are where animals which have been confiscated are taken for initial treatment and evaluation. These centres often have many types of animals.  The purpose of these centres is to first help care for the animals incase they have any issues.  They are then assessed to see if they are suitable for rehabilitation or if they need to be cared by humans for the rest of their lives.

Some animals may then move to the next stage or to a facility that can care for the animals long term.

Rescue Centres often have limited cage and enclosure sizes as they need to adapt to numerous types of animals and often have a high turn over of animals – newly rescued animals and animals sent to other faciliities like rehab centers or sanctuaries.

Rehabilitation Centres

Rehabilitation Centres are often facilities that specialise in one and sometimes two specific species.  

They would have specific training skills for the orangutans to learn and improve which will help them in wild. These maybe nest building, snake identifications or methods to dig out food.

You should not be able to touch any of the any animals going through rehabiliation as the main rule is that they should be weened off humans so when they are released they can live by themselves.


Sanctuaries are typically places where animals that have been impacted too badly by humans stay long term.  The animals are no longer able to be rehabilitated and released back to the wild. Think of sanctuaries as retirement homes. 

Sanctuaries can be species specific or can host numerous animals and a re more like ethical zoo’s in a way.

Human Interaction and animal rehabilitation

Can I hug an Orangutan?
The main focus of the rehabilitation process in an animal rescue centre or rehabilitation centre is to prepare an animal for reintroduction to their natural habitat. Humans are not a part of their natural habitat in the wild. In most cases when an animal confronts a human in the wild it would not be a positive experience which is demonstrated through the status of the long term animal residents at sanctuaries and rescue centres. Habituating animals to human contact can promote rather than discourage human orientation being counterproductive to the rehabilitation process. This is why it is important to understand that weaning an animal off human interaction is necessary for the success of their release and that rescue centres shouldn’t be allowing visitors to touch or cuddle the animals if it is not appropriate or necessary to do so. If you encounter a situation with a sanctuary where they are allowing you to do this, ask questions and make sure they can provide answers for its suitability.

What Can I do to help Wildlife Rescue Centres?

  • Donate to a reputable conservation organisation or sponsor an animal with them. Of course, you can get creative and come up with your own sponsored event utilising your skills set and raise funds and awareness that way. All money donated and raised for ethical organisations such as the WRC Jogja helps to fund their vital work and is a great way for you to make a positive impact.
  • Get in touch. Ask them about their project/s, learn about the work they are doing, who it’s helping and why it’s important.
  • Research and educate yourself in order to share that knowledge. Everyone can do this from the comfort of their own home and you can then share that knowledge with others to promote awareness.
  • Use your social media for good. Share these ethical organisations platforms and posts with your friends and family on social media. This will give them access to the right information in order to make informed choices in the future.
  • Do not support the illegal wildlife trade or unethical organisations. Use the knowledge you gained from your research to make smart choices.

Recommended Wildlife Rescue Centre volunteer Programmes in asia

Animal care school trip In jogja Yogyakarta

Jogja Wildlife Rescue Centre, Indonesia

The Jogjakarta Wildlife Rescue Centre is one of the most succesful for rescuing and then releasing or transferring the animals to more suitable facilties. They dont have much money so the enclosures can be small but the staff really love the animals and do their best for them. Its a very humble but effective rescue centre.
Volunteer wildlife rescue centre

Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand

I have known the owner Edwin for many years. He is one of the leader wildlife activists in SE Asia. The centre works on many projects and provides rescue, rehabilitation and long term sanctuary services to the animals caught up in the illegal wildlife trade.
Scroll to Top