Animal Sanctuary Travel Insurance

JS Travel Insurance provides coverage for volunteering in an animal sanctuary, where wild or domestic animals are kept for their protection. It also covers emergency medical expenses and up to £5m in repatriation back to the UK.

To contact us by telephone or email, 0800 043 0020 / 01273 092 757 support@jsinsurance.co.uk

• Summary of Cover
• Animal Sanctuary Travel Insurance FAQS
• What is an Animal Sanctuary?
• Voluntary Work in an Animal Sanctuary or Conservation
• Popular Locations for Animal Sanctuaries
• Common Animal Sanctuary Injuries
• Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
• Useful Websites

*Excess payables vary depending on the claim benefit.

Please read the Policy Wording for the complete list of Benefits.

Healix Insurance Services Ltd, on behalf of Hamilton Insurance DAC, arranges this Travel Insurance policy for Jade Stanley Ltd. Healix Insurance Ltd is registered in England and Wales under No. 5484190 and authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under No. 437248. Hamilton Insurance DAC is registered in Ireland No. 484148, authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland, and subject to limited regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority in connection with its UK branch. Jade Stanley Ltd is registered in England and Wales under No. 03570857 and authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under No. 306205.

1. If the unexpected happens with an Animal and I need medical attention, am I covered?

We cover up to £5m for Emergency Medical expenses. For example, our policies include a 24/7 Emergency Assistance Line if you have an unexpected encounter with an animal or during your travels.

2. Am I covered if I need to be repatriated back to the UK due to an unexpected injury caused by an Animal? 

If it is medically necessary, our policies include Repatriation back to the UK under the Emergency Medical Expenses.

3. Does this policy cover me to Groom or feed the Animals in the Sanctuary?

Our Animal Sanctuary policies cover grooming and feeding the Animals, Domestic or Wild Animals.

4. I am doing voluntary work in an Animal Sanctuary or Conservation; am I covered? 

Yes, this policy will allow you to do voluntary work at an animal sanctuary or conservation, whether feeding, bathing, grooming animals, cleaning their living space, or more.

5. Are there any exclusions from this Animal Sanctuary policy? 

At the animal sanctuary, you must always be supervised around animals, and we cannot provide coverage if you are using firearms.

6. If the Animal Sanctuary is the sole purpose of my trip, am I covered? 

Yes, our travel insurance, including the animal sanctuary, can be covered for the sole purpose of your trip; our single-trip policies allow you to travel for up to 180 days with no restriction on the number of days you can spend at the Sanctuary. 

7. I plan on making a few trips, including working at the Animal Sanctuary. Is there an Annual option available?

All three of our Animal Sanctuary Travel Insurance Annual Policies offer a 31-day maximum trip length with unlimited Sanctuary days.

8. I’m going backpacking and planning to do some Animal Sanctuary voluntary work. Can we cover this? 

If you travel longer than 180 days, our provider, Longstay/Backpacker, can cover up to 12 months, including the Animal Sanctuary for Domestic or Wild Animals.

9. Can I get cover for Animal Sanctuary if I’ve already travelled?

Our provider, Adventures, can cover for Animal Sanctuary if you have already left the UK or want to do it at the last minute.

10. I have some pre-existing medical conditions; can I still get cover for Animal Sanctuary?

Again, our provider, Adventures, can cover those; please select Animal Sanctuary - Wild Animals or Animal Sanctuary - Domestic Animals.

The Welfare of the Animals: An Animal Sanctuary is not open to the public like a Zoo. Visitors must be supervised when entering the Sanctuary to ensure the Animals remain safe, comfortable, and stress-free.

Caring for Animals is the first and foremost purpose of an Animal Sanctuary, especially where the Animals have had a problematic past. The second is educating the public.

As well as Sanctuaries, many Welfare Institutes, such as World Animal Protection, protect animals from cruelty.

Not for Profit: Sanctuaries do not sell, buy, or trade animals but acquire them through donations. Their primary purpose is to care for Animals with problematic pasts. 

Volunteering in an Animal Sanctuary is a rewarding experience, with many Sanctuaries relying on the help of volunteers in all aspects of running the Sanctuary.

Volunteer responsibilities include many things, including helping with food preparation, feeding the animals, and maintaining enclosures.

Working in an Animal Sanctuary - daily duties and jobs 

Note, you need to be physically fit, have good emotional strength and most of all, a love for animals 

Core Animal Care Duties:

• Feeding and Watering:

• Preparing and distributing food according to individual animal diets.

• Ensuring fresh water is always available.

• Cleaning and Sanitation:

• Mucking out enclosures, cages, and stables.

• Disinfecting living spaces to prevent the spread of disease.

• Laundry of bedding and cleaning of food and water bowls.

• Health Monitoring:

• Observing animals for signs of illness or injury.

• Administering medications as directed.

• Assisting with veterinary care, including vaccinations and treatments.

• Grooming and Socialisation:

• Grooming animals to maintain their hygiene and well-being.2

• Providing socialisation and enrichment to animals, which can include exercise, play, and interaction.

• Behavioural Observation:

• Assessing the animals' temperaments and monitoring for any changes in behaviour.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Facility Maintenance:

• Maintaining and repairing enclosures, fences, and other structures.

• General upkeep of the sanctuary grounds.

• Record Keeping:

• Maintaining accurate records of animal health, behaviour, and care.3

• Public Interaction:

• Giving tours and educating visitors about the sanctuary's mission.

• Assisting with adoptions (if applicable).

• Stocking Supplies:

• Keeping track of and restocking animal feed, medications, and cleaning supplies.

• Rescue and Transport:

• In some cases, assisting with the rescue and transport of animals.

Key Skills and Qualities:

• Physical Stamina: The work can be physically demanding, requiring lifting, bending, and standing for long periods.

• Compassion and Empathy: A genuine love for animals and a commitment to their well-being.

There are many options available if you want to work in an Animal Sanctuary or Conservation. Find a list of Animal Care Projects that need your help: 

• Volunteer World
• International Volunteer HQ
• Volunteering Solutions 
• GoEco
• Plan My Gap Year

There are Animal Sanctuaries all over the world. You will encounter several, particularly when travelling around Australia and the USA. South East Asia and Africa also have their share of them, providing homes to Animals such as Elephants and Tigers.

• Chengdu Bear Rescue Centre - China
• Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary - Borneo
• Cedar Row Farm Sanctuary - Canada
• The Vervet Monkey Foundation - South Africa
• Danau Girang Field Centre - Malaysia
• Donkey Sanctuary - Cyprus

If you plan to work in an Animal Sanctuary, you must have the appropriate vaccinations. Check with your Doctor or Vaccination Centre to establish what vaccinations are required for the country you travel to.

As your duties entail working with Animals, you must have an up-to-date Tetanus shot and Rabies Vaccination.

No matter how comfortable an animal may seem around humans, it lives on instincts and can, therefore, be unpredictable.

It would be best to be careful when working with predatory Animals, regardless of size or species. Even Herbivores can be unpredictable and dangerous - they can bite, but kicking and lashing out is also possible.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

If you have pre-existing medical conditions and plan to work in an Animal Sanctuary whilst travelling abroad, we can provide you with a policy.

This policy covers direct contact with wild animals, so if you feed or groom them, we can cover that.

Please select Animal Sanctuary / Refuge Work - Wild Animals

Our provider (Adventures) can offer travel insurance, including Animal Sanctuary, if you have a pre-existing medical condition.

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RSPCA

PETA

Animal Welfare Intitute

World Animal Protection

Volunteer Abroad