At R3 injured animals are rescued, rehabilitated and reintegrated to their natural habitat. The Wildlife Rescue Center treats all Brazilian fauna, trying to give each individual the best possible care. The non-profit organisation constantly seeks volunteers to help them take care of the injured animals before they are reintroduced to their natural environment. The Wildlife Rescue Center aims to improve the situation of the wildlife and work for a more balanced future in the community.

R3 is a non-profit organization responsible of rescuing, rehabilitating and reintegrating wild animals into their habitat. They are working hard to improve the welfare of each individual during the process of rehabilitation and post-release in the state of Santa Catarina. As a non-profit organization it depends on donations and the help of volunteers to survive. The rescue center receives all the species of Brazilian fauna which have been seized or victims of human action.

Volunteers will be assisting the Environmental Military Police (CETAS) of Santa Catarina and the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Natural Resources (IBAMA) on treating and helping wild animals reintegrate to their ecosystem. The R3 team develops and conducts full rehabilitation and reintroduction/release programs. The rehabilitation process can be extensive, and occasionally some animals are identified as not being able to be reintroduced into their natural habitat. Animals which cannot be released are transferred to zoos and breeders licensed by IBAMA.

The NGO also instructs and train members of local communities to become guardians of the environment, aiming to improve the situation of wildlife and guarantee balanced future for the community, besides conducting workshops and lectures about conservation, sustainability, animal well being, wildlife rehabilitation, as well as workshops on stranded marine animals.

What are volunteers needed for?

Volunteering may be one of the most valuable and rewarding experiences of your life. Tasks can vary daily according to the demand, but here are some tasks volunteers usually are expected to perform:

• Separate and prepare food for the animals
• Feed the animals
• Clean the enclosures
• Maintenance work
• Treat and take care of the species

Work Schedule

Volunteers normally work during the morning from 9 to 12 and have on day off per week.

The maximum number of volunteers the organization accepts is 2 at a time.

Note: We do not know if positions are available until we receive the application form.

Program Support

Brazilian Experience will support you during your whole program in Brazil. Volunteers will have our 24 hours emergency number should you need to contact us.

Brazilian Experience organizes home stay placements. This type of accommodation allows students to have a deep cultural immersion. It´s also a great option for those willing to improve Portuguese skills.

Brazilian host families are open, nice and protective. Our families are carefully selected through an interview and house inspection.

The home stay placement includes breakfast and dinner only. Brazilians have a quite light breakfast such as bread, butter or cheese and a beverage such as coffee, milk chocolate, orange juice.

The main meal in Brazil is lunch but nowadays few families go home for lunch in between working hours on week days. On weekends it´s common to have late lunches on Sundays, sometimes they make barbecues with all the family (cousins, grandpas, etc).

Sometimes the family’s get together hour is at dinner time (quite late, usually after 8:00 pm). Some families have a rich meal at dinner, as lunch, and in other cases they just have a snack, being a sandwich or soup.

Accommodation includes one night before the start of the internship program date and includes one night after the end of the program.

The volunteer organization uses the following as a guideline; however, exceptions can be made depending on experience, language skills and enthusiasm.

• Mandatory immunizations: Hepatitis A and B, Tetanus, Pre-exposure rabies vaccination (three full intramuscular given on days 0, 7 and 21 or 28, taken 1 month before the trip departure date).
• Minimum age: 18 years -old.
• Minimum commitment: 4 weeks.
• Minimum Portuguese level: not required.
• Compassion and genuine interest in helping.

Necessary documents to apply

• Complete online application form
• Resume
• One picture of yourself
• Copy of your passport identification page

What is included?

• Pre-arrival orientation;
• Airport pickup and transfer;
• Volunteer placement;
• Selection of suitable homestay accommodation, breakfast and dinner included;
• Donation to the project;
• Online support from Brazilian Experience.

What is not included

• Airline tickets
• Domestic flights and weekend trips
• Visa fee, if applicable
• Travel Insurance
• Personal Expenses

Best deal – 6 weeks Standard program (2 weeks Portuguese + 4 weeks volunteering): U$ 2700

Minimum enrollment length (4 weeks volunteering): U$ 1805

Extra week volunteering: U$ 240

Portuguese tuition fee (10-15 hours/week depending on group size): U$ 355

*SPECIAL NOTE: Due to accommodation price increase on high season, stays in Florianópolis during Carnival period (February 28th – March 5th) will incur on an extra fee of U$ 220.

If you fulfill the program requirements and agree with the suggested dates and fees, you are ready to apply! Check below the necessary steps to confirm your application:

Step 1 – Complete online application form and attach: your resume, one picture of yourself and a copy of your passport identification page

Step 2 – We will confirm the project availability

Step 3 – Pay $150 non refundable deposit

Step 4 – Submit your visa documents to the nearest Brazilian consulate and book your flight

Step 5 – Upon payment we will start the home stay match

Step 6 – We will send your complete placement details

Step 7 – Pay program balance