Working with animals abroad: what is it, why would you do it, and where is the best place to go?

What is working with animals abroad like?

• Working with animals abroad means that you are actively committed to the protection, care or welfare of one or more animal species. The work can be divided into two main categories:
• Working with animals in their natural environment: you support nature conservation, population research, habitat monitoring or behavioral observations in the wild.
• Working with animals in shelters, animal farms or zoos: you will care for animals, carry out fence checks, monitor your health and support education and fundraising.
• Depending on the project, your work may also consist of communication, education or organizational tasks.

Responsibilities

• Feeding and caring for animals.
• Carrying out fence and fencing checks.
• Changing enclosures and cages.
• Observing animal behavior and conducting behavioral studies.
• Assisting with medical procedures or health checks.
• Assist with education, information and fundraising.
• Supporting research projects.
• Milking or herding farm animals in agricultural projects.

Working conditions

• This usually concerns temporary contracts or volunteer agreements, often seasonal work.
• The compensation varies from salary, pocket money, to room and board (food and accommodation).
• Working hours can be long and physically intensive, especially during peak shelter or harvest periods.
• The minimum age is often 18 years; some projects require older participants.
• Some projects offer training or certificates for participation.

What are the reasons for working with animals abroad?

• To become better at collaboration: Projects involving animals require coordination between volunteers, staff and researchers.
• To become environmentally aware: you learn to take animals, habitats and sustainable working methods into account.
• To increase your problem-solving skills: unexpected situations with animals or infrastructure require quick and practical solutions.
• To develop commitment: by contributing intensively to animal protection you develop a strong sense of responsibility and satisfaction.

What skills and motivations do you need to work with animals abroad?

• Professionalism: working carefully and responsibly with animals and colleagues is essential.
• Flexibility: animals and projects are unpredictable, planning can change daily.
• Analytical skills: being able to properly observe and interpret animal behavior and project results.
• Collaboration: functioning effectively in international teams or with local employees.
• Independence: taking initiative when guidance is limited and carrying out tasks independently.

What are the best countries and locations to work with animals abroad?

• Working with rainforest animals and monkeys: Indonesia, Malaysia (orangutans, gibbons), Philippines (monkeys, crocodiles), Costa Rica (monkeys).
• Marine animals and fish: Curaçao (dolphins, sea turtles), Mexico (sea turtles), Madagascar (fish, sea turtles).
• Large mammals and predators: South Africa (lions, rhinos, white sharks), Namibia (cheetahs, wild cats), Zambia (chimpanzees, lions), Zimbabwe (lions, wild dogs).
• Farm animals and pets: Egypt (donkeys, horses, dogs and cats), India (dogs and cats), Greece (dogs), Curaçao (dogs and cats).
• Birds and migratory birds: Malta (migratory birds), New Zealand (kiwis).
• Exotic mammals: Australia (marsupials, koalas, horses), Mongolia (prezewalski horses, wild mountain sheep), Ecuador (felines, capuchin monkeys, roller-tailed bears).

What are the risks of working with animals abroad, and are you insured against those risks? 

What are the risks of working with animals abroad, and what happens with some regularity:

• that animals exhibit unexpectedly aggressive or unpredictable behavior and bite, scratch or stamp, resulting in wounds.
• that you are exposed to infectious diseases such as salmonella, rabies, parasites or tropical infections.
• that you perform physically demanding work, for example with large or wild animals, in hot, cold or wet conditions.
• that you are injured due to accidents with equipment, fences, cages or vehicles.
• that you are mentally burdened by emotional situations, such as sick, injured or abused animals.
• that local medical facilities are limited and emergency care or evacuation may take time.
• that there is an unsafe working environment: infrastructure, health risks, political instability, manners.
• When you work with animals, you may be exposed to greater financial or legal risks as soon as you start performing your work under your own responsibility. It is advisable, as far as possible, to also inquire to what extent your local employer is adequately insured for accidents, technical errors, or misjudgments. Of course, this is not always the case, nor can it be always ascertained in advance. Take this into account as much as possible when deciding whether to perform certain risky tasks.

Are you insured while working with animals abroad?

• There may be several reasons why you need separate insurance when working abroad.
• Local employers generally offer limited or no supplementary insurance.
• During work, internships, or volunteering abroad where you receive compensation or a salary, your own health insurance coverage in your home country may lapse. See the pages on: insuring paid work, internships, or volunteering abroad.
• See also: insurance for working with animals for paid work, for internships and for volunteer work abroad.