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7 Dec 2024
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Kia ora! We are a vegan farm animal sanctuary in Ōtaki, just over an hour drive from Wellington, New Zealand. Every day we care for over 200 animals (ponies, cows, goats, pigs, sheep, chickens, ducks, cats, bunnies and more) who have been abandoned, injured or mistreated.
We are looking for people, either single or couples, to come and join us for a minimum of a month. If you are the right fit there might be a more permanent place for you – some people choose to stay for a year or more.
Please only apply if you are vegetarian or vegan (you would be expected to eat vegan whilst at the sanctuary). We are hoping to find people who shares our commitment to animals and the environment and who we can connect with ethically. Lesbian/Gay/Bi/Trans/Queer+ friendly is essential.
We have a lot of inquiries so a priority is always given to activists and people with passion around the environment, human rights, animal rights and other social concerns. We consider ourselves feminists and anarchists. If you are a cis male person please only apply if you share these values.
To finance the Sanctuary, we run 2 op-shops. As part of your volunteering with us you might occasionally be asked to help with these or our yearly fundraising markets if you are volunteering in March.
We have a variety of accommodation including house trucks, sleepouts, a caravan and a shared house, all with heating. You will not be expected to share your accommodation/room with others, you will get your own space. We provide food and depending on the season some food grows on site. You would be expected to do communal cooking for yourself and the other volunteers, Everyone is rostered to cook about once a week.
We would love to meet friendly, independent volunteers who aren't afraid to get muddy and learn new skills. Some days can feel long, and we work hard in all weather conditions. The animals need to be fed and cared for no matter what! But we always aim to have fun and support each other along the way.
Workaway:
We have been hosting volunteers for over a decade and the extra help has been crucial to our success. Volunteer stays are a minimum of one month and involve working about 5 hours a day in exchange for food and accommodation. Sadly, shorter stays are not possible due to the training involved. We also have a maximum stay of three months for our Workaway volunteers, but if you are enjoying your time here and become inspired to level-up your skills, you are welcome to apply to become an animal care intern and stay longer! Throughout your stay as a Workaway volunteer you will help with tasks including:
• Preparing animal feed
• Feeding animals
• Cleaning animal environments
• Cleaning communal spaces
• Weeding, planting
Volunteering here is often a highlight of people’s time in New Zealand. We aim to create a welcoming and fun atmosphere where you get to spend time with rescued animals and experience living amongst other animal-loving individuals. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer we look forward to hearing from you!
Animal Care Internships:
Animal care internships are a great opportunity for those with previous sanctuary experience, or those hoping to work with animals or start their own animal sanctuary in the future! We do not charge for internships and they work much the same as Workaway volunteering. We offer a unique, hands-on learning experience caring for a variety of animals, each with their own rescue story and care considerations. Internships are a minimum of one month and will provide you with a variety of skills that are essential for caring for rescued animals.
• Preparing animal feed
• Feeding animals
• Cleaning animal environments
• Day to day maintenance of the sanctuary
• Assisting with medical tasks
• Animal enrichment
• Observing animal behaviour
We welcome individuals who are passionate about caring for animals and who are a good fit for our sanctuary to stay longer than a month. Some of our previous crew members have chosen to stay as long as one year! There is so much to learn at our sanctuary and the longer you stay, the more skills and information you are able to take away with you. Depending on the length of your stay there are additional learning outcomes including medications, animal first aid, volunteer coordination and much more!
There is so much to learn about running an animal sanctuary and caring for animals, and we are excited to share our project with passionate, motivated, hard-working individuals! It is essential that interns and volunteers can communicate effectively, receive feedback well, follow oral and written instructions, and bring a positive attitude. Many of the tasks at the sanctuary are physical and involve walking and lifting, so be prepared to spend a few hours on your feet each day. If this all sounds great to you and you think you would make an excellent animal care intern or volunteer, then please get in touch!
When you get in touch please indicate if you are interested in being a standard Workaway volunteer or interested in a free internship position.
Please also include the dates you are interested in staying.
Thanks! We look forward to hearing from you 😊Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity WorkGardeningDIY and building projectsAnimal CareFarmstay helpCreating/ Cooking family mealsGeneral MaintenanceCultural exchange and learning opportunities
A great opportunity to spend time with animals in a beautiful area. Nearby river walks and fantastic river swimming plus 10 mins drive to the beach.
Help
Tasks include animal feeding, animal care, fencing, tree planting, gardening, animal shelter building, communal cooking, sometimes baking and cooking for market stalls as well as occasionally helping in our fundraising opshop Opportunity for animals
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
A bedroom in the communal house, a sleepout, caravan or housetruck all with heating
What else ...
We sometimes have a spare car available for use for those with a full drivers license over the age of 25
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
5 hours per day, 5 days a week
Feedback (17)
They have figured… read more
The sanctuary and community was extremely well run with useful instructions. Animals and the people were awesome, and you had pretty good freedom on your own… read more
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Cultural exchange:
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They have figured… read more
The sanctuary and community was extremely well run with useful instructions. Animals and the people were awesome, and you had pretty good freedom on your own… read more
One of the long term workers said ‘ when the world disappoints you, remember that we are here’, i thought that comment hit the spot.
Overall a great experience and I really… read more
All the best with your travels Jean!
Please come back again soon, we miss you!
Communal living and work responsibilities are super well organized which makes it easy to find your footing when you arrive. There is a lot of love and care put into looking after each animal and the work is very rewarding. I especially like how many opportunities there are to learn new skills and… read more
She learns very fast and is a hard worker and nothing seems to phase her.
We wish you the best for you future travels Leah, please come back and visit!
If you love animals and like to get dirty, this is the… read more
The sanctuary had everything we wished for but it also was so much more. It is a safe haven for human and non-human animals, and everyone there is loving and beautiful. The work is hard and you get dirty, but who cares, when it is to help running an… read more
There is so much love for the animals and Kate and Coces are very organized and generous and you really can feel their passion. I loved every… read more
Totally recommend her!
All the best with your travels Sally, come back again!
Come back soon!
We totally recommend her to any role, she is much missed by us!
Happy travels Carla!
One month turned into seven very fascinating and intense months. The work varies from taking care of the animals to building new enclousers etc. to having… read more
A lot of different tasks to do so one day is never the same as the other. So many wonderful animals to take care of, hang out with and get to know. Lovely and inspiring people to work with.
Great place for people to volunteer at who enjoys working in a team, is not afraid to get muddy, wants to learn new skills,… read more