Volunteer at Spotted Cats Conservation (DCP & WCW)
The Daniell Cheetah Project (DCP) for Endangered Species was started in 2000 with 3 cheetahs. It joined forces with Wild Cats World (WCW) in 2012 to form Spotted Cats Conservation.
Spotted Cats Conservation is first of all focusing on the African spotted cat cheetah, leopard, serval and black-footed cat, but also (how ever not spotted) the caracal. See info about all our different cats and species further on this website. Volunteering at our project is working with and for the resident cats like all spotted cats, caracals, but also other animals. In future we hope to include more endangered cat species, but one step at the time. All the spotted cats species are threatened, endangered or even critically endangered in their own habitat.
Our project is a non-profit organization and the income generated from visitors to the Spotted Cats Conservation is not enough to cover the day to day expenses, like vet bills and feeding.
Would you like to help us with this important work? If the answer is yes please contact us, or look below for more details:
Project Highlights:
• Working and interacting hands-on with our resident cheetahs, and sometimes young lions, every day
• Also working closely with our other cats/animals like leopards, caracals, servals, black-footed cats, meerkats, Kudu
• Learning about cheetahs, leopards, servals, black-footed cats, caracals, etc. and the environment they live in
• Exploring and discovering the African bush
• Making friends for life and having new experiences, both with the staff and your fellow volunteers
There are currently 12 cheetahs at the project, 2 leopards, and lots more. New projects and cats will keep on arriving, so never a dull moment with our project and animals.
Whenever possible, in future these animals will be re-wilded, or wild ones are nursed back to health and released back into the wild.
As a volunteer, you will be involved in the daily care and activities. It all depends on your own interest and passion.
Your tasks may include:
• Preparing food for the cheetahs and feeding them
• Cleaning enclosures
• Spending time with the cheetahs in order to get to know them and their behaviour
• Help take care of the other wildlife in the sanctuary, including leopards, caracals, servals, meerkats, zebras, and occasionally lions (cubs)
• Assist in general maintenance of the programme, which may include alien plant removal and enclosure
Participant Requirements
• No previous knowledge or experience is required. It can be hard work, but it will be incredibly rewarding
• Participants must be in good health and able to carry out all duties required of them
• It is important to note that you are expected to be fully involved in the preparation of the meat feeding the cats (this includes removing the meat from the bone)
You don't need any experience to join us, and upon arrival you will receive a comprehensive orientation and will be fully briefed and trained in all areas. You will be introduced to all members of staff and given a tour of the Project. You will be shown where everything is and briefed exactly how to use everything. You will not be expected to carry out any duties without the appropriate training and supervision. You will also be given more information on our reintroduction project and the plight of the spotted cats, so that you fully understand just how important and valuable the project work and your contribution as a volunteer is.
We are very flexible in the sense that if a volunteer wanting two days or half a day off, there is no problem in doing this. In a radius of a hundred kilometers we have the following; the village Kirkwood, Addo Park, Raptor Centre, Schotia Private Game Reserve, Restaurants, Port Elizabeth - shops etc., and Jeffreys Bay. There will be transport available for you.
To volunteer we ask for a donation of only ZAR 600/day. Accommodation and meals will be included in this.
There is never a dull moment, volunteering and working with/for the endangered wild cats. There's always something with which you will be able to assist. You will gain skills and knowledge that are priceless. You will form bonds of understanding, love and trust between you and the animals while interacting with people from all walks of life. Also, we are a project who makes sure you are responsible volunteering. Read her the guide lines, and wherever you start as a volunteer at a wild cats project, keep thinking and asking questions, as welfare of the cats is most important of all to us!
Responsible Volunteering
Africa captures the fascination of everyone who is fortunate to visit. In particular when visitors are able to interact with wildlife. Many lodges, game farms and breeding centres offer volunteer opportunities working with wildlife. However, before taking an opportunity to work with or photograph any captive carnivore as a volunteer or visitor, please take an active role in putting an end to the unethical keeping of wild animals by asking the following questions:
• Where is the cub's mother?
• Why is the cub not being raised by its mother?
• What happens to the facility’s cubs when they grow up?
• If they are released into larger wildlife areas, where are these and can the facility provide documentation to prove a viable and ethical release process?
• If, and therefore once cubs have been released, do they have the opportunity to live out their natural lives, or are they hunted?
• If they are sold to game reserves, is their future secure or is this a cover for simply being hunted?
• If they become part of a breeding programme, for what purpose?
• What happens to the facility’s surplus animals?
To volunteer of for more information, please contact us.
