Santa Martha Rescue Centre is a sanctuary for wild animals that have been victims of animal trafficking, which intended to enslave them and turn them into pets. The Centre is located in an area of the Andes called “The Avenue of Volcanoes” in Ecuador.

Our volunteers are offered the unique opportunity to protect and care for a great range of wild animals that includes monkeys, cats, bears, reptiles, parrots, and many more.

During your stay at Santa Martha, you will gain invaluable experience working with animals that need so much help, dedication and above all love, which they can only receive from our volunteers, while spending your days in a friendly and cosy environment in our beautiful Ecuador.

Who We Are
We are a family living in a dairy farm, who one day came across a group of wild animals: capuchin monkeys and parrots that were kept in terrible conditions; hurt, sick and starving. We saved them from this horrible mistreatment but could find neither help nor guidance from any organization, or any place where they could have been released and so we brought them to the farm.

This way was born Santa Martha Rescue Centre in the year of 2001. Step by step more and more animals arrived, and we, the owners Johnny Córdova and Brenda Castillo, are always keen to receive and look after these innocent victims of mankind.

Santa Martha is based on the love and great respect of life. It is an NGO (non-governmental organization), which means that our existence depends on our volunteers and other sources of donation. Even though we are working closely with the government and the police, we do not receive any form of financial help from them.

Rescued Animals
Most of our wild animals come from illegal situations: from houses, hostels or are confiscated from markets. In order to rescue these animals, we work closely with the local police and also with the Environmental Ministry of Ecuador.

After these animals are taken from the wild they are sold, killed for their skin or kept as prisoners for the rest of their lives in tiny cages where they suffer from hunger and thirst; all which results in losing their plumage, becoming ill and eventually, if they are not rescued soon, dying a pitiful death…

The most frequent victims of animal trafficking are primates, aquatic as well as terrestrial birds and reptiles.

Animals arrive at Santa Martha all the time, and thus a wide variety of species are represented at the rescue centre. We never reject an animal that needs help, and each one of them receives daily and personal attention. We do our best to help return to the wild all animals that are fit to be released.

At the rescue centre you can find all kinds of animals either as temporary or permanent residents. We have mammals such as pumas, ocelots, lions, jaguars, spectacled bears and new world monkeys; various species of birds like parrots, eagles and toucans; as well as reptiles like Galapagos tortoises, aquatic turtles, boas etc.

The volunteers who come to Santa Martha should have the desire to work because they are responsible for the welfare and day-to-day care of animals that are here. This involves not only the daily feeding and cleaning duties but also construction and maintenance work to improve their living conditions.

The most important tasks are the feeding and cleaning of the animals, which takes up the majority of our time. Twice a day we work closely with the animals to make sure that each one of them is provided for.

We are also constantly looking for ways to improve, extend and enrich the existing cages and enclosures in order to provide the best possible environment, in which our animals can reinforce and nurture their natural instincts. For this reason, at Santa Martha, we put a great emphasis on improving their living conditions all the time.

The work and the projects always vary, but it generally includes hard physical labour, such as the construction and maintenance of enclosures, and the improvement of our animals' environment in which they currently live. We also lay emphasis on that these rescued animals live a calm and suffering-free life here at Santa Martha.

But it’s not all work… here the volunteers will find friendship, companionship, time to rest, laugh and share unforgettable moments.

At Santa Martha we believe that educating people about our environment is the beginning of putting an end to animal trafficking and the destruction of our planet. Thus, we organize guided school visits, educational talks, radio programmes etc. All these help our effort to educate the local community, especially the children.

At Santa Martha we are certain that a well-informed community will tolerate animal trafficking less. Those people who understand the needs and rights of the animals will be less likely to approve of seeing them dead or locked up.

This is a unique opportunity for you to work so closely with wild animals who need your help.

This volunteer opportunity is near Pasochoa Wildlife Refuge.
Situated one hour south of Quito, it is a unique and unforgettable place that is surrounded by magnificent countryside. The climate is pleasant all year round with an average temperature of 18°C during the day and 10°C during the night.

To get to Santa Martha, get a bus from the main bus terminal in Quito called “Terminal Terrestre de Cumandá”.

You can catch any bus that goes towards the south (heading for Machachi, Latacunga, Ambato etc.) and ask to be dropped off in TAMBILLO at the rail lines (it will cost about 50 cents).

In Tambillo (about 45 minutes from Quito) get a taxi (white pickup truck) to get to the Centre (prices are: $3 for less then 6 people, $4 for 6 or more people). Tell the taxi driver that you want to go to “La Hacienda Santa Martha” and during the approx. 15 minute ride up the mountain enjoy the scenic countryside that surrounds you.

If you prefer, you could come all the way from Quito on a taxi for only $25. You need to tell the driver to bring you to Tambillo (to the railway lines) and there swap taxis (look for white pickup trucks), or your driver will probably need to ask for directions from the local taxi drivers.

If you are interested in volunteering with us, please CONTACT US DIRECTLY; let us know a bit about you (your age, nationality, interests, work experience, profession, goals in life etc.) and the dates when you would like to come, and we will reply to you as soon as possible.

While traveling, just like in every other place, be cautious with your belongings such as personal documents, rucksack and other valuables, but there is no need to be too worried.

The minimum duration of opportunity is 2 weeks

$120 a week per person
Typically volunteer's will donate $20 each week to buy food on the local market and cook together in a nice and comfortable environment.

LIVING IN THE CENTRE

The volunteers live in comfortable houses with all desired facilities: comfy beds, hot water, TV, stereo, DVD and a fully equipped kitchen.
Each house can accommodate up to 6 volunteers. It is the volunteers' responsibility to take care of and clean their houses. Living this way, helping each other, creates a more homely atmosphere and adds to a communal living experience.

Please remember that Santa Martha is not a hotel or vacation camp; it is a place where everybody from all over the world has the opportunity to contribute to and work with us for the conservation of our planet.

It is not a bad idea to bring a sleeping bag because, although here at 3000 m altitude the weather is fairly constant and pleasant all year round, there can be rain and sun all in the same day. For this reason, don’t forget to bring waterproof trousers and jacket as well as rubber boots.

Building/Construction
Work with communities

N/A

Living accomodations, travel from Quito in a taxi is only $25

Food; unless donation is made, Airfare, travel to and from Center

Work with Wildlife {Trabajar con la Naturaleza}

Streneous

Best suited for adults