Skip to content
refugio landpage
Refugio Animal

Trip Info

Duration: 1-4 weeks (flexible)
Location: San José (5 minutes from downtown)
Difficulty: Moderate (physically demanding animal care)
Age/Experience : 18+ years; no experience required but pre-veterinary students preferred
Seasonal Considerations: : Year-round program; higher animal intake during rainy season (May-November)
Included Services: Basic shared accommodation, training, transport to/from shelter, certificate of participation

About Refugio Animal

Make a tangible difference in wildlife conservation at Refugio Animal, Costa Rica's busiest wildlife rehabilitation center. Located just minutes from downtown San José, this unique urban sanctuary receives up to 1,500 injured, orphaned, and confiscated wild animals annually, ranging from howler monkeys and sloths to exotic birds and reptiles. As a volunteer, you'll work alongside veterinary professionals in their mission to rehabilitate and return these animals to their natural habitats whenever possible. This hands-on experience provides valuable insights into wildlife medicine, rehabilitation techniques, and the challenges facing Costa Rica's incredible biodiversity due to urbanization, the illegal pet trade, and habitat loss. Whether you're pursuing a career in veterinary science or simply passionate about wildlife conservation, this immersive volunteer opportunity offers meaningful work with immediate impact.

What You'll See @ Refugio Animal

At Refugio Animal, you'll encounter a remarkable diversity of Costa Rica's wildlife in various stages of rehabilitation. Common patients include three-toed and two-toed sloths, often orphaned or injured by power lines and traffic. Several monkey species arrive regularly, particularly howler monkeys affected by urbanization. Colorful bird species including toucans, scarlet macaws, and various parrots recover from injuries or confiscation from the illegal pet trade. Reptiles such as iguanas, various snake species, and occasionally crocodilians require specialized care. Less common but regular arrivals include kinkajous, coatis, anteaters, armadillos, and porcupines. Beyond the animals themselves, you'll witness the entire rehabilitation process—from emergency intake and medical treatment to physical therapy, specialized feeding programs, and pre-release conditioning. The facility includes treatment rooms, recovery enclosures, outdoor habituation areas, and food preparation spaces, providing a comprehensive view of wildlife rehabilitation practices.

Itinerary

Daily Schedule (Monday-Friday):
6:30 AM: Morning feeding rounds and enclosure cleaning
8:30 AM: Breakfast break
9:30 AM: Medical treatments and rehabilitation activities
12:00 PM: Lunch break
1:00 PM: Food preparation for afternoon feedings
2:30 PM: Enrichment activities and socialization for recovering animals
4:00 PM: Afternoon feeding rounds
5:30 PM: Final checks and day wrap-up
6:00 PM: End of volunteer day

Weekly Schedule:
Mondays: Orientation for new volunteers, weekly planning meeting
Tuesdays: Deep cleaning of all facilities
Wednesdays: Special rehabilitation projects and extra training
Thursdays: Public education day—help with visitor groups
Fridays: Veterinary procedures and health assessments
Weekends: Rotating schedule for essential care (reduced hours)

Monthly Activities:
- Training workshops on wildlife handling and rehabilitation techniques
- Possible participation in release events (seasonal)
- Educational outreach in local communities
- Facility improvement projects

Highlights ofRefugio Animal

At Refugio Animal, you'll encounter a remarkable diversity of Costa Rica's wildlife in various stages of rehabilitation. Common patients include three-toed and two-toed sloths, often orphaned or injured by power lines and traffic. Several monkey species arrive regularly, particularly howler monkeys affected by urbanization. Colorful bird species including toucans, scarlet macaws, and various parrots recover from injuries or confiscation from the illegal pet trade. Reptiles such as iguanas, various snake species, and occasionally crocodilians require specialized care. Less common but regular arrivals include kinkajous, coatis, anteaters, armadillos, and porcupines. Beyond the animals themselves, you'll witness the entire rehabilitation process—from emergency intake and medical treatment to physical therapy, specialized feeding programs, and pre-release conditioning. The facility includes treatment rooms, recovery enclosures, outdoor habituation areas, and food preparation spaces, providing a comprehensive view of wildlife rehabilitation practices.
Meeting point:San José central pickup or direct arrival at shelter

Tour Guide Expertise

The volunteer program is overseen by licensed veterinary professionals with specialized training in wildlife medicine and rehabilitation. The shelter director brings over 15 years of experience working with neotropical wildlife and has pioneered several rehabilitation techniques specific to Costa Rican species. Daily operations are supervised by technicians with expertise in animal husbandry, behavioral management, and pre-release conditioning protocols. Regular workshops are conducted by visiting specialists in avian medicine, primate behavior, reptile care, and wildlife nutrition. The education coordinator holds a master's degree in conservation biology and has developed training materials specifically for international volunteers. Staff members are multilingual, with program coordination available in English, Spanish, and several European languages. Many team members have published research on wildlife rehabilitation techniques and post-release survival rates, contributing to scientific knowledge in this field.
Client
"Our 8-day tour through Tortuguero, Arenal, and Manuel Antonio exceeded every expectation. The wildlife encounters were incredible—we saw sloths, toucans, and even a family of howler monkeys! Our guide Miguel's knowledge transformed what would have been a good vacation into an unforgettable experience."
Sarah Thompson
Chicago
client-02
The Pacuare River overnight expedition was the highlight of our Costa Rica trip. Professional guides, breathtaking scenery, and the perfect balance of thrilling rapids and peaceful floats. Staying at the riverside lodge was magical—falling asleep to jungle sounds is something we'll never forget.
Mark Davidson
ancouver
client-03
Volunteering at the Pacuare Reserve for sea turtle conservation changed my perspective on eco-tourism. Two weeks of meaningful work alongside dedicated conservationists was both humbling and inspiring. Explore Costa Rica handled all the logistics flawlessly.
Emma Chen
Sydney
client-04
After years of dreaming about moving to Costa Rica, Explore Costa Rica made it happen seamlessly. From finding our perfect home in Perez Zeledon to navigating residency paperwork, their team supported us every step of the way. Six months in, and we're living the life we imagined!
Robert and Linda Gonzalez
Former Arizona Residents
a-balanced-image-showing-a-peaceful-resi_O5xrxm_YQXW70R-mwvr6QA_IhEGvUZxR4COobegU9pl4w
Read More
Legal Services Rectangle 20
Read More
Balanced Image of Peaceful Residence
Read More
Friendly Local Guide (2)
Read More
Car Rentals Costa Rica
Read More
Affordable Dental Care Tips
Read More
landscape pesca manglares de damas
Savegre River Rafting
landscape rio naranjo
landscape cataratas portalon escaleras esmeralda y pavon