Wildlife Caretaker Volunteer

I spent around 3 weeks at RAREC and really loved my stay. John and Kathya, the couple running RAREC are the kindest people and really make you feel welcome. The place itself is beautifull and quiet and you really are in the middle of the jungle. No traffic no noise. They are still expanding and growing trying to make the best of the place. As caretaker you get quite a lot of freedom, they put faith in the volunteers and that feels really nice. You have some free time left in between the feedings and they really give you freedom to use this however you want as well. You can do your own thing but very often you'll still be wanting to take care of the animals. In my case 'Daniel the giant river otter' was still very young and since river otters are very social animals who need a lot of interaction most of the time was spent entertaining him :) which was al lovely thing to do and seeing him grow up trough social media is just a delight.

I loved being part of RAREC even for a short period of time. I was taking care of the monkeys and a cute tapir. It was definitely a great experience as I have never done it before. RAREC team is great and gives you loads of information about their mission. I was also part of the community development team helping mothers to create an income for their families. I organized a workshop and the results were amazing! RAREC Peru is a great NGO where you can start making a difference in this world. Keep doing the great work RAREC!

My experience at RAREC was amazing! It was an internship that ended too soon because of the coronavirus.
The people at RAREC are very kind to every volunteer, they really want you to be part of the crew. It’s nice to see how every staffmember loves the animals so much, everybody cares about the animals. It’s a great place to learn more about Peru and about the Amazon forest. I did get to know a lot of new animals and habits. It’s a place where everybody can come, kids, families, volunteers, interns... It’s a lovely place to be!

I came to rarec to volentere during my travelling in peru. At first i didnt know how importent it will be for me. I meet wandefull people from all the warld who warked daily to protect the wildlife. I meet people whith vition who realy took care on the animels and had aeducation program to do so. I share spatiol moments whith the animels and the amazon place. Learn alot about my self and athers. Warked and learn about the animels and share alot of fun . i want to thank kathy and jon.who make that place as it is. Unik people whith vition and love to save and realy halp the animels. Who creat spatiol place which made my stay there as an importment time there.
I wish i will be able after corona to go back and continu to be apart of that amaizing place. To be apart ofsaving the amazon animels.

The few weeks I spent at RAREC were truly wonderful. The focus of the program was truly on the well being of the animals and on the educational program, so the volunteering felt meaningful throughout. That being said, the coordinators always made sure that the volunteers were having fun by organizing trips to the lake, fruit tastings, and nights out in Iquitos. The center is extraordinary and beautiful, and if you’re lucky enough to go on a rescue, it’s truly a life-changing experience. I would recommend this without a doubt to anyone interested in a real adventure and who wants to do some genuine good by protecting these wonderful species.

The animals are so cute, simply out of this world.
And the staff are so dedicated you just get motivated to work hard and to help as much as you can.

I've stayed there for just under a month and I would have stayed more if I could.

I absolutely fell in love with the place.

The owners, John, is such a special man. You rarely see people with such commitment to anything, and his commitment is dedicated purely for the safety and preservation of these wild animals.

Definitely an experience I'll remember!

I volunteered at RAREC for a month and it was an incredible experience, I met very good people dedicated to their rescue and conservation work, I learned many things about each rescued species, the feeding of monkeys, ocelot, tapir, manaties and interacting with them.

Living in RAREC was amazing; the good vibe of the staff and being surrounded by nature makes life very calm and pleasant.
As a volunteer, I helped with feeding, cleaning, monitoring animal behavioral and any other support that was necessary. After finishing our duties (4: 30-5pm), we went to the platform to spend time watching movies, playing monopoly / chess, talking or relaxing in the hammocks.

Rarec has good and comfortable facilities, mrs Irasema's cooking is delicious, she also make vegan / vegetarian food. So if you are thinking in volunteer and you love animals, I recommend you RAREC. Kathya and John Jairo are very attentive, they will always want you to feel comfortable, also they have 4 dogs that are very friendly and they will accompany you on your routes.
I really enjoyed volunteering in RAREC, I miss being there with wonderful people and lovely animals. There is always something to do in Rarec and you will learn a lot.

If you’re looking for a place to volunteer with animals this is the perfect place!

Amazing staff and people, wake up every day in this magical place in the forest of Iquitos, taking care of animals, feeding them, and helping them get better before they can go back home to the nature.

Go there for a week, two, even a month. You won’t regret.

You can come alone, with your friends, or even with your family, there are always good people there to welcome you with open hands.

A great experience I wish I could do again.