Hep to Save Animals in Ecuador's Andes

  Ecuador

• All Other Regions of Ecuador: 
Pichincha

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Arrival to Quito every Sunday- Program starts every Monday

Description: Lead Adventures animal welfare programs in Ecuador work towards the elimination of animal mistreatment and abuse through education, rescue and rehabilitation. Volunteers at the Andes Animal Rescue Center work with animals that have been taken from the wild and sold as pets, or used in circuses and other illegal situations. The rescue centers goal is to rehabilitate the animals so that they can be released back into the wild or to provide a permanent sanctuary for animals that have been badly maltreated and cannot be released. Animal lovers will want to be part of this important and rewarding project, offering understanding and practical care for these innocent animals.

The Centers mission is to provide animals with a better life by giving them love, care, food and the right living environment. As a volunteer you can make an enormous difference, enabling these animals to be rehabilitated and returned back into their natural habitat. Experience the deep satisfaction as you give something back to nature by helping these defenseless creatures.

The Andes Animal Rescue Centre is a sanctuary for wild animals that have been victims of animal trafficking, which intended to enslave them and turn them into pets. The Centre is located in an area of the Andes called The Avenue of Volcanoes in Ecuador. Situated one hour south of Quito, it is a unique and unforgettable place that is surrounded by magnificent countryside. The climate is pleasant all year round with an average temperature of 18 degrees C during the day and 10 degrees C during the night.

Lead Adventures offers volunteers the unique opportunity to protect and care for a range of wild animals including monkeys, cats, bears, reptiles, parrots, and many more. During your stay at the centre, you will gain invaluable experience working with animals that desperately need your help, dedication and above all, love. These animals can only receive the care with the help of volunteers like yourself, who can enjoy spending time in this friendly environment doing a worthwhile task in beautiful Ecuador.

Highlights: Volunteer Role:
The most important tasks at the Andes Animal Rescue Center are feeding and cleaning of the animals, which takes up the majority of the staffs time. Twice a day volunteers work closely with the animals to make sure that each one of them is provided for. The center is constantly looking for ways to improve, extend and enhance the existing cages and enclosures in order to provide the best possible environment for the animals to reinforce and nurture their natural instincts. For this reason the center puts great emphasis on constantly improving the living conditions of the animals entrusted to their care.

The work projects are ever-changing, but they generally require some physical labor, such as constructing and maintaining the animal enclosures, and improving the environment in which the animals live. The #1 emphasis of the Animal Rescue Center is to provide rescued animals with the calm, stress-free quality of life which they deserve.

The Center also puts great value on the importance of education. It organizes school visits, guided tours, educational talks, radio programs etc. to educate people about local wildlife and the environment. This is seen as an important way to prevent animal cruelty in the future, putting an end to animal trafficking and the destruction of our planet. All these events help to educate the local community, especially the children, about animals. Well-informed communities are unlikely to tolerate animal trafficking and those who have been educated to understand the needs and rights of animals will be less likely to approve of them being ill-treated or locked up.

Location:
The closest town to the project is Tambillo. It is located 15 minutes by car from the centre. The closest city is Quito, only an hour away by bus. The Rescue Centre is at 3000 m altitude. The weather is fairly constant and pleasant all year round although there can be rain and sunshine all in the same day. It is located in the countryside in the Andes Region of the province of Pichincha.

Accommodations and Meals:
The volunteers live in comfortable houses with all the expected amenities: comfy beds, hot water, TV, stereo, DVD and a fully equipped kitchen. Each house can accommodate up to 6 volunteers. It is the volunteers' responsibility to take care of and clean their houses. Living this way, helping each other, creates a more homely atmosphere and adds to a communal living experience. Volunteers take turns to buy food at a local market and share the cooking in a friendly home-from-home environment.

Meals are not included. All volunteers contribute 15-20 dollars per week to shop for food supplies at the local market in Tambillo. Volunteers share the responsibility for cooking, washing up, cleaning etc.

Highlights:

In your free time explore the different activities that the area has to offer:

* Horseback riding is a unique way to experience the atmosphere of the Andes and gain views of the surrounding volcanoes. Ride towards Ruminahui volcano and enjoy the fantastic landscapes the mountain range of the Andes has to offer.
*Hike the Cotopaxi volcano. The Cotopaxi National Park is located in the Avenue of the Volcanoes a breathtaking place. Hike to the glaciers and enjoy the view!
* The geographic diversity that Ecuador offers makes of it a great spot for mountain bike enthusiasts. The Nono-Mindo Trail is popular for bird lovers and adventurous travelers. Descend from the cloud forest and see the beautiful Pichincha. Along your ride you will pass Tandayapa, Bellavista and more!
* Only one hour away from the center- Enjoy Quitos Old Town-churches, government, squares and shopping. The historic old town of Colonial Quito is the jewel in Ecuador's crown. The city was designated the first UNESCO World Heritage City in 1978 for its colonial architecture.

Cost in US$: From 345 /week and up

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Ecuador Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network

Year Founded: 2004