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You’ll be matched with your personal volunteer travel expert who’ll guide you every step of the way.
Meet Your Travel Expert
Receive your welcome pack with everything you need: arrival info, contacts, visa and insurance help, packing tips, vaccines, language basics, and so much more.
Get Ready to Go!
Choose your dream project and apply for free—no commitment, just excitement!
Pick Your Destination & Apply
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Once your dates are confirmed, pay your program fee—choose to pay in full or in easy installments.
Secure Your Spot
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Our Animal-Based Internship Program in Laos is designed for students and individuals pursuing careers in animal care, conservation, or related fields. This program offers a flexible and immersive experience, allowing you to gain exposure across multiple areas including animal husbandry, veterinary support, and research — depending on your interests and academic focus.
You will be based onsite at a wildlife rescue centre, working alongside experienced staff and contributing to real conservation efforts. This is not a one-size-fits-all program. Instead, your placement can be shaped around your proposed study, project, or area of interest.
You may choose to focus on areas such as:
Wildlife behaviour and zoology
Animal management and husbandry
Diets and nutrition
Rehabilitation processes
Illegal wildlife trade
Conservation research and data collection
And Much More
Requirements
Before joining, you will be required to submit your proposed study or project. This will be reviewed to ensure it aligns with the centre’s work and that appropriate support can be provided during your placement.
As an intern, you will take on more responsibility than short-term volunteers and will be expected to work with a higher level of independence and initiative.
Your Experience May Include:
Supporting daily animal care and husbandry routines
Assisting with data collection and observational research
Contributing to ongoing conservation or behavioural studies
Working alongside the veterinary and animal care teams
Assisting with feeding, enclosure maintenance, and enrichment
Gaining insight into the rehabilitation and release process
Internships are a minimum of 8 weeks, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the environment, build meaningful experience, and contribute to longer-term projects.
This is an adaptable program that provides valuable real-world experience, combining practical work with academic development in a live conservation setting.
By joining our Animal-Based Internship Program in Laos, you will:
✅ Gain hands-on experience across animal husbandry, veterinary support, and conservation research
✅ Tailor your internship to your academic interests and career goals
✅ Work within a real wildlife rescue centre environment
✅ Contribute to ongoing research and conservation projects
✅ Develop practical skills in animal care, behaviour monitoring, and data collection
✅ Take on greater responsibility and work with increased independence
✅ Collaborate with experienced staff across multiple departments
✅ Build valuable experience to support future careers in wildlife and conservation
What to Expect: A Day in the Life of An Intern
Life on our Animal-Based Internship Program in Laos is varied, hands-on, and shaped by both your chosen focus and the needs of the rescue centre.
There is no fixed routine, as your daily activities will depend on your project, ongoing research, and the requirements of the animal care and veterinary teams. You will be expected to take initiative, manage your time effectively, and adapt to a dynamic working environment.
Example Day
Morning – Begin with animal checks, feeding routines, or observational data collection
Mid-Morning – Work on your chosen project, research, or assigned tasks
Midday – Continue practical work alongside the husbandry or veterinary teams
Afternoon – Assist with enclosure maintenance, enrichment, or ongoing studies
End of Day – Record findings, update project notes, or support additional tasks as needed
Depending on your focus, your day may involve:
Conducting behavioural observations and recording data
Supporting feeding routines and animal care
Assisting with veterinary-related tasks or monitoring
Working on conservation or research-based projects
Collaborating with staff across different departments
As an intern, you will often be given more responsibility than short-term volunteers, allowing you to take ownership of your work and contribute more deeply to ongoing projects.
This is a flexible, self-driven experience where your learning is shaped by both your initiative and the real-world environment around you.
Your Impact As A Volunteer
As part of our Animal-Based Internship Program in Laos, your contribution goes beyond daily tasks — you are supporting ongoing conservation work while developing knowledge that can shape your future career.
Through your involvement across animal husbandry, veterinary support, and research, you will help strengthen the overall care, monitoring, and understanding of rescued wildlife.
Your impact may include:
Supporting the daily care and wellbeing of animals within the rescue centre
Contributing to research and data collection that supports conservation efforts
Assisting with monitoring animal behaviour and rehabilitation progress
Helping improve animal management practices through your work and observations
Supporting the veterinary and husbandry teams in maintaining high standards of care
As an intern, your role carries greater responsibility, allowing you to contribute more meaningfully to ongoing projects and long-term initiatives.
At the same time, this experience is an investment in your own development — building practical skills, real-world understanding, and valuable experience within a working conservation environment.
Your time here creates a dual impact: supporting wildlife today, while preparing you to make an even greater difference in the future.
Your New Home in Laos
During your time on our Internship in Laos, you will stay in shared bungalow accommodation located onsite at the wildlife rescue centre.
The bungalows are set within a natural, forested environment and house a maximum of two volunteers per room. Wherever possible, rooms are arranged as single-sex, with exceptions made for couples or friends.
Each bungalow includes:
Beds with fresh linen provided
Electrical outlets and fans
Fully screened windows for mosquito protection
A private porch area with a hammock
Shared bathroom facilities are available nearby, with western-style toilets and hot showers.
Meals
You will receive three meals per day throughout your stay:
Breakfast (self-prepared using provided ingredients)
Lunch and dinner (fresh, hot meals provided daily)
All meals are vegetarian, and dietary requirements can be accommodated if communicated in advance. Clean drinking water is available onsite at all times.
Additional Facilities
Onsite laundry facilities (detergent provided)
Wi-Fi available in communal areas
Access to a shared volunteer space for relaxing and socialising
Unlimited access to a nearby eco-resort infinity pool
Living conditions are comfortable but simple, designed to immerse you in the environment while keeping focus on the experience, the work, and the community around you.
History
Our trusted partner in Laos is a pioneering force in wildlife conservation, originally established as the country’s first fully inclusive, locally registered wildlife rescue and rehabilitation organisation.
Working in close collaboration with the Lao government, the project evolved from the former national zoo into a purpose-driven conservation centre—shifting its focus toward wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, education, and actively tackling the illegal wildlife trade at its roots.
In 2023, the organisation faced a major turning point, with the need to relocate from its original site. While challenging, this became a powerful opportunity to reimagine what conservation in Laos could look like. The team successfully relocated the entire operation—including hundreds of rescued animals—to a new site near a protected National Park.
This transition has allowed for the development of modern, purpose-built facilities that better reflect the scale of their mission—creating a space where rescue, rehabilitation, education, and research come together in one unified, forward-thinking model.
Today, the centre continues to grow as a leading voice in wildlife protection across Laos, driving meaningful, long-term change for both animals and local communities.
Mission & Vision
To safeguard Laos’ wildlife by addressing the illegal wildlife trade at its roots—through education, awareness, and enforcement. The organisation works collaboratively with local and international stakeholders to prevent exploitation, while rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing affected animals wherever possible.
Through capacity building, community outreach, and conservation action, their mission is to create lasting, sustainable change for both wildlife and the people who live alongside it.
Vision
A thriving Laos where biodiversity is protected, animal welfare is respected, and conservation is embraced as part of the nation’s identity.
Their Work Focuses On:
Rescuing animals from the illegal wildlife trade and exploitation
Rehabilitating and releasing wildlife back into natural habitats
Providing lifelong sanctuary for animals unable to return to the wild
Strengthening wildlife protection through enforcement and collaboration
Delivering education and awareness within local communities
Advancing conservation, research, and long-term environmental sustainability
Program Fees
Duration Fee (€)
8 Weeks €2,913
9 Weeks €3,245
10 Weeks €3,578
11 Weeks €3,910
12 Weeks €3,743
13 Weeks €4,037
14 Weeks €4,330
15 Weeks €4,623
16 Weeks €4,916
Important Things To Note: All programs include a Travel Roots Service & Support Fee in addition to the listed program fee. This helps cover the support we provide before, during, and after your placement, including application guidance, partner coordination, pre-departure preparation, welcome pack support, and ongoing assistance throughout your journey.
Payment Terms
• Program fees are due 60 days before your start date
• If applying within 60 days of arrival, full payment is due within 48 hours of confirmation
What’s Included
Your program fees cover everything you need for a safe, enriching, and impactful experience:
✅ Supervision and training by experienced staff
✅ On-site accommodation and facilities (laundry, Wi-Fi, hot showers)
✅ 24-hour onsite support
✅ Three meals per day
✅ Unlimited access to nearby eco-resort infinity pool
✅ Volunteer T-shirt
✅ Airport pick-up and drop-off from Vientiane (capital city)
✅ Direct contribution to wildlife rescue and animal welfare
✅ Discounted access to eco-resort activities (ziplining, canopy walk, etc.)
✅ Community experiences including local culture, markets, waterfalls, night walks, weaving, and organic farming
✅ Welcome pack full of necessary and useful information
✅ Full support before, during, and after your program
✅ Fair & Flexible Refund Policy
✅ A personal investment in your growth, with transferable skills, hands-on experience, and real-world learning
✅ So much moreWhat’s Excluded
✖️ Flights
✖️ Visa costs (if required)
✖️ Travel insurance
✖️ Personal expenses
✖️ Additional tours or activities
✖️ Vaccinations (if required)
Your Investment in Animal Welfare, Conservation & Yourself
Joining our Animal Based Internship Program in Laos is far more than just an overseas experience — it’s a meaningful investment in ethical animal care, wildlife conservation, and your own personal and professional development. Working alongside experienced animal care and conservation teams, you’ll gain valuable hands-on experience supporting the wellbeing, rehabilitation, and daily care of rescued animals in Southeast Asia.
From preparing food and enrichment to assisting with habitat maintenance and animal welfare support, your contribution helps provide rescued wildlife with the care and attention they need while supporting long-term conservation efforts.
Your program fees directly support:
• Daily care, feeding, and enrichment of rescued animals
• Ethical wildlife rescue and rehabilitation operations
• Long-term conservation and animal welfare initiatives
• Local employment, conservation training, and community support
• Improvements to animal enclosures, facilities, and welfare resourcesThis internship gives you the opportunity to develop practical conservation and animal care skills while becoming part of a passionate mission dedicated to protecting wildlife and supporting ethical animal welfare in Laos.
Where You'll Be: Xiengletha Village, Laos
Your Internship takes place in Laos, a country often described as one of Southeast Asia’s last true hidden gems. Untouched landscapes, rich biodiversity, and deeply rooted traditions create an environment that feels authentic, peaceful, and far removed from mass tourism.
You will be based in a rural, forested region where conservation is not just a concept — it’s a daily reality. Surrounded by jungle, wildlife, and local communities, this is a setting that allows you to fully disconnect from modern distractions and reconnect with nature in its purest form.
About Laos
Laos offers a slower, more mindful way of life. It’s a country where time feels less rushed, people are welcoming, and nature still plays a central role in everyday living.
Language: Lao (English spoken within the program)
Currency: Lao Kip (LAK)
Climate: Tropical – warm year-round with a rainy season from May to October
Time Zone: GMT+7
The Experience
Living and volunteering here is about immersion. Expect to step into a completely different rhythm of life — one that is simple, grounded, and incredibly rewarding.
Wake up surrounded by jungle sounds and fresh forest air
Work closely within a real wildlife rescue environment
Experience local culture through nearby villages and community interactions
Spend time exploring natural landscapes, from waterfalls to forest trails
This isn’t a polished, tourist-heavy destination — and that’s exactly what makes it so special.
It’s raw, real, and deeply connected to nature.
If you’re looking for comfort zones and convenience, this may not be it. But if you’re looking for perspective, purpose, and a genuine connection to the world around you — there are few places like it.
Free time Activities
& Tours
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While your days will be focused on meaningful conservation work, your free time offers the chance to explore, unwind, and fully experience life in this unique part of Laos.
Surrounded by jungle and local communities, there’s plenty to discover — whether you’re looking for adventure, culture, or simply time to relax.
In Your Free Time, You Can:
Explore nearby waterfalls and natural swimming spots
Relax at the eco-resort infinity pool next door
Join optional activities such as ziplining and canopy walks
Visit local villages and markets to experience authentic Lao culture
Take part in community activities like drum making and traditional weaving
Enjoy guided night walks and experience the jungle after dark
Spend time on the organic farm, learning about local food systems
Unwind with fellow volunteers through social activities like karaoke evenings
There is also the opportunity to travel further afield during your time off, exploring more of Laos’ landscapes, culture, and hidden gems.
Free time here isn’t about ticking off tourist attractions — it’s about experiencing something real, slowing down, and making the most of where you are.
