Home  Chapter Sections  1. Undercover Investigator  2. Video Activist  3. Animal Friendly Traveller  4. Preacher  5. Animal Rescuer  6. Investigative Reporter  7. Media Watcher  8. Philosopher  9. Flyer  10. Personal Activist  11. Animal Lawyer  12. Politician  13. Prisoner Supporter  14. Public & School Speaker  15. Aerial Snooper  16. Scientific Investigator  17. Solo Information Worker  18. Street Theatre Actor  19. Teacher  20. Voluntary Worker Abroad

How to Do Animal Rights - and Win the War on Animals Chapter 4 Activities for Animal Rights 20. Voluntary Worker Abroad   Volunteer to work abroad – for your gap year, career break, change of direction, early retirement or just a vacation. Organisations around the world engaged in animal, wildlife and conservation projects need volunteers to work with them for at least a month to a year or more and you might find a niche working in animal rights. You travel about, live in a new-to-you environment, plunge into the local population and culture, even pick up a foreign tongue; altogether an unforgettable experience. You could mix animal rights with animal welfare and conservation. An example of a good project that combines all three, would be one that effectively rehabilitates animals stolen from the wild, say for the pet or zoo trade, back to the wild. Unfortunately though, although many opportunities exist for working with animal welfare and conservation organisations, at present few bona fide openings currently exist for purely animal rights work. So how do you find animal rights volunteer positions? Search the Web. One web site for example states, "Experience the magic of India while helping to promote animal rights." Then goes on to say: "Working for an animal welfare NGO with a strong track record, you'll have plenty of chances to roll up your sleeves and get involved in spreading awareness about the care, management and nutrition of pets and homeless animals to all sections of Indian society." But this NGO is only one percent into animal rights. Still, this is a good start. When volunteering for an animal welfare or conservation organisation you must be careful that you are actually being active for animal rights, which is not the same as animal welfare or conservation. Some bodies involved in these latter activities are opposed to animal rights. Conversely, some people in animal rights oppose and disparage animal welfare, taking the view that "Animal 'welfare' laws do little but regulate the details of exploitation." (1) Checking Bona Fides How do you check the honesty of an organisation? The only way is to ask them for a list of all (or at least twenty) of their recent volunteers with contact details. A good organisation ought to be able to give you a list. They must send you a reasonably full list because if you get only half a dozen or fewer names they may be in the pay of the organisation to say good things and there is no point contacting them for an opinion. If the organisation has 'no time' to send you a full list, or 'does not do that sort of thing', or makes up some other excuse, then seriously consider dropping them flat. What You Need To be successful on your voluntary work abroad you: Need energy, enthusiasm and a real commitment to work hard to meet the mental and physical challenge. Should be able to adapt to circumstances if you find yourself working in isolated surroundings, possibly living in conditions you might consider sub-standard or primitive, out of touch with your family and friends, and experiencing many strange cultural differences. Should be able to commit yourself for several months, offer certain skills or expertise if a particular project demands it, and meet travelling costs, living costs and other expenses like administration, insurance and taxes. Home Thoughts Alternatively, instead of going abroad, you could opt for volunteering at an animal rights organisation in your neighbourhood. For instance, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals advertise on their web sites for volunteers in their American and European offices. An organisation like this needs volunteers to assist in administration office work, participate in demonstrations and photo calls, carry out research for campaigns, pack parcels, distribute leaflets and undertake other duties as necessary. Choose your days and hours of work. Finally While travelling as a voluntary worker in any kind of job, whether related to animals or not, keep an eye open for animal abuses that you can do something about on your own initiative; see Animal-Friendly Traveller, Chapter 4. References (1) Best S & Nocella A J (eds). Terrorist or Freedom Fighter? Reflections on the liberation of animals. Lantern Books. 2002:12. How to Do Animal Rights - and Win the War on Animals. © Roger (Ben) Panaman, April 2008. All rights reserved.