Help at a seal rehabilitation sanctuary near Thurso, Scotland, UK

Informationen

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  Beschreibung

  My name is Clare and my husbands name is Phil, we built our own seal hospital in November 2022, so it is still very new. We are having improvements done this year which will be completed by the time the pupping season starts. This will make the place of work more spacious for our volunteers and more suiting to the seal pups. Myself and my husband have been rescuing seal pups for the last six years. so have plenty of experience. We have six permanent local volunteers that have a varying amount of experience. We also rescue stranded dolphins & whales. We are a small seal sanctuary, we are a registered charity and run by volunteers.

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  Arten von Hilfe und Lernmöglichkeiten

  Karitative Arbeit

  Betreuung von Tieren
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  UNO-Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung, die dieser Gastgeber verfolgt

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  Was ist das?
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  Kultureller Austausch und Lernmöglichkeiten

  We are situated in the highlands of Scotland, and are the most northerly seal hospital on UK mainland. We are right on the coastline looking over the Pentland Firth with views on a clear day, over to Hoy and Orkney. There is a small bay just below our hospital site which is where we release our seal pups when the are ready. The waters in this area have a vast amount of cetacean species from dolphins to porpoises, killer whales to humpback whales, basking sharks, seals and otters. The cliff faces are a special protected area for nesting birds. We are a five minute drive or one hour walk from Dunnet Head Lighthouse, the most northerly point on UK mainland. Not far from John 'O Groats, Thurso and Wick. There are great walks in the area if that is what you enjoy, you'll meet plenty of great people and experience the Scottish way of life.

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  Registered charity

  This host is a registered charity in the UK and is looking for help with their charity project. Guidance on charity worker sponsorship by a UK registered charity, can be found here.

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  Arbeit

  We do require volunteers during the summer months, at this time we cannot provide accommodation unless you have your own motorhome or campervan.
  
  Volunteering for the winter months.
  Start Date - 01/11/2024
  End Date - 31/03/2025
  WE ARE NOW FULLY BOOKED FOR WINTER 2024
  
  Volunteering for the summer months.
  Start date – 15/05/2025
  End date – 31/10/2025
  WE ARE NOW TAKING BOOKINGS FOR SUMMER 2025. Preferably couples or people that do not mind sharing a caravan, e.g. two males or two females. If you have your own campervan/motorhome, we have space on the campsite.
  
  During the winter months we can provide accommodation in our Bed and breakfast as well as in a fully fitted out large caravan. During the summer months we only have the caravan.
  
  • We will accept applications from outside the UK for shorter durations of stay. The maximum we can take residents of the EU or EEA countries is 30 days. Those from outside of the EU or EEA, please check what visa you will need, if you need one. We do not have a sponsorship license therefore cannot sponsor volunteers.
  
  • THERE WILL BE A SHIFT PATTERN WHICH WILL BE WORKED OUT AROUND THE SEAL PUPS FEEDING TIMES. USUALLY FOUR FEED SHIFTS PER DAY. STARTING IN THE MORNING AND INTO THE LATE EVENING. (e.g. 9am, 2pm, 7pm and 11pm). EACH SHIFT IS ABOUT TWO HOURS. THEREFORE YOU MAY BE DOING AN 8 HOUR DAY, OR MORE. PLEASE IGNORE THE "VOLUNTEER HOURS EXPECTED" THIS SITE WILL NOT LET ME EDIT THAT. YOU WILL NOT BE DOING A FIVE HOUR DAY. AND YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO HAVE TWO FULL DAYS OFF, BUT WE WILL TRY OUR BEST TO FACILITATE THIS.
  
  • You will be required to do at least two to three shifts per day if staying on site. If you feel you are unable to commit to regular shifts, please do not apply.
  
  The person/people we are looking for must have some experience of working with animals. Or caring for animals. Someone who has worked with seal pups/seals or sea lions will take preference, or someone with veterinary or veterinary nurse experience would be beneficial. You must have a passion for caring for seal pups, show an interest in learning about them, be enthusiastic, have initiative and not be scared of hard work. This is not a job for you to just put on your CV. I am not interested in anyone who does not love animals.
  
  
  Role and Responsibilities
  
  • Cleaning Pens - All permanent pens and mobile pens are to be cleaned every morning. Towels to be taken out and put in the washer. Turn the washer on if the machine is full. Rubber mats to be taken out, hosed down and disinfected. Pen floors to be mopped with disinfectant solution. Pen partitions to be cleaned if required. Rubber mats to be put back in pens and a clean towel put down. Paddling pools to be emptied, cleaned, disinfected and refilled and put back in the pens. ICU unit floor (general area) and large pens in building two (general area) to be mopped thoroughly with disinfectant solution when all pens & feeding is finished. (Mop under counters & move the bins etc.)
  • Food Preparation – Skinning and gutting fish. Mixing milk formula, vitamins/minerals, cod liver oil. Washing all equipment and food prep areas after food preparation is finished.
  • Cleaning the pool area and grass area – Hosing/cleaning down any mats, hosing down the pool area & picking up any fish remains. Helping Phil empty & fill the pool. Hosing/cleaning any mats, Clearing the grass area of any fish remains and feaces. Emptying, cleaning and refilling paddling pools.
  • Feeding – This will be done by experienced staff only.
  • Wound Treatments/Medicine Administration/Taking Temperatures – This will be done by experienced staff only.
  • Weighing pups – This will be done under supervision from a experienced staff member.
  • General Duties – To keep all areas of the hospital clean, tidy and presentable. To keep all stored disinfectant containers etc. clean. Clean all splash-back boards, surfaces, cupboards, fridges etc. Filling & emptying the washing machine. Hanging out & bringing in towels/laundry. Emptying bins. This is just a general idea of what needs doing. There may be more general duties as we get into the season.

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  Gesprochene Sprachen

  Englisch: Fließend

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  Unterkunft

  During the summer months (April to September) we operate a B&B and a Campsite. We cannot provide accommodation in the B&B rooms but we can provide accommodation in a large caravan om site. The caravan has heating, shower, toilet, kitchen, TV, microwave, fridge and stove. There is no Wi-Fi in the caravan, you will need to come to the house to use the Wi-Fi. There is sleeping for two to four people in the caravan.
  We also have space on the campsite in the summer if you have your own campervan/motorhome or tent.
  Laundry can be done at our house.
  During the winter months a twin room will be available in our B&B, with an ensuite bathroom, as well as the caravan. The campsite is also available during the winter.
  Laundry facilities are available, as is WIFI.
  You will need to buy your own groceries and cook your own meals. The kitchen will be shared with us.

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  Was noch ...

  This is a very small community, very rural and quiet. During the spring/summer months when you will be here, it can be lovely. We do have good days in the summer where you can go for a walk, drive into one of the nearby towns, help out with seal surveys, visit the great beaches, Dunnet Forrest, and just enjoy a relaxing atmosphere. During the summer months it is very busy here with visitors from all over the world.
  Someone who would be happy at this busy time, someone who loves the environment, enjoying wildlife and the outdoors will be a bonus. During the winter months it is quite the opposite, cold, wet and very quiet. We do have some good days in the winter but not many. But it is still beautiful here.
  
  Applicants must be able to speak and understand English.
  Having your own transport would be a helpful as public transport here is not reliable and it is not very regular.
  
  We are looking for people interested in rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing seal pups back into the wild, not for people who are looking for a cheap vacation.

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  Etwas mehr Information

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    Internet Zugang

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    Eingeschränkter Internet Zugang

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    Wir besitzen Tiere

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    Wir sind Raucher

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    Familien möglich

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  Platz zum Abstellen von Camper Vans

  We have a campsite with electric hook-up that is available.

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  Hier sind Haustiere in der Regel willkommen

  We do not accept pets in the caravan or in the B&B. If you come in your own motorhome/campervan, then yes you will be able to bring pets.

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  Kapazität - wie viele Workawayer maximal

  mehr als zwei

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  Arbeitszeiten

  Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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