Animal Sanctuary

  Thailand

• Chiang Mai: 
Chiang Mai

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: The 1st and 3rd Monday of every month.

Description: A beef cow is at the slaughter house. She gets loose, runs down the street and into an accounting office where she creates a whole bunch of trouble. But at this point, she's made it. Thais hearts are too big to send an animal that was somehow escaped the butcher's knife back to the slaughter house. That's how one cow found her way to the Animal Sanctuary. Unfortunately most stories of how / why animals made their way to the Animal Sanctuary aren't as amusing. Most of the animals were abused and/or neglected. The sanctuary has over 100 animals; dogs, monkeys, ducks, geese, Thai water buffalo, cows, cats and a goat named "Jake." Located about a half hour from the city of Chiang Mai, the sanctuary is in a beautiful, green country setting at the foot hills of the northern Thai mountains.

Your role at the sanctuary is up to your comfort and experience with animals. There are always many jobs on hand at the sanctuary. Some of these jobs include feeding, grooming and washing the animals, moving animals, moving cages and equipment, walking some of the animals that are kept in some of the caged areas, etc. Occasionally volunteers will be asked to help with showing day visitors around the sanctuary and keep track of the souvenirs at the small sanctuary shop. Beyond these other responsibilities, volunteers are also asked to spend time loving and playing with the animals. It is a great opportunity for volunteers who have experience working with animals or education in veterinary science to learn and gain on-hands experience with creatures that could really use the love and attention. The sanctuary is more than open to people from all backgrounds. Many of the animals have been abused or neglected and would gain a lot from the time spent with them from people with big hearts.

Highlights: Chiang Mai is a pleasant city, encircled by mountains and lush rice fields. Chiang Mai is Thailand's second largest city with a population of roughly 700,000. The city is considered the cultural and physical capital of (what used to be) the northern Thai (Lanna) kingdom. Chiang Mai is the home of an international airport, restaurants of almost every cuisine, incredible shopping and world class hospitals.

During or after one's volunteer service, Friends For Asia recommends for volunteers to take part in some of the many different local attractions and/or courses. Every Sunday Chiang Mai closes off one of the main roads in the old city to put on a walking street market. Vendors and artisans from the area set up their small booths to sell their handicrafts, art and mouthwatering finger foods.

Chiang Mai offers Thai cooking courses starting around $35, Thai massage courses starting around $45, along with jungle treks and regular Muay Thai (Thai boxing) matches. Upon your arrival into Chiang Mai, Friends For Asia will be more than happy to help you sign up for one of these exciting opportunities to learn more about this beautiful culture.

Qualifications: Volunteers do not need any specific qualifications, but should have a big heart and enjoy being with and taking care of many different types of animals.

Cost in US$: 995

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: An individual who loves to travel, wants to learn more about Thailand and assist Asia in it's development.

Age Range: 18 and up

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Thailand in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 2 or 3

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post Services Include:

• Exit DebriefingAbroad

Friends For Asia's Mission Statement: The mission of Friends For Asia is twofold. We offer an opportunity for people to contribute, in a meaningful way, to the improvement of standards of living by building capacity in our host agencies and we provide committed volunteers to work on projects developed with host agencies that benefit the people of Thailand.

Year Founded: 2008