Volunteering in a seal rehabilitation center - Netherlands
Stichting Zeehondencentrum Pieterburen
Lauwersoog, Pays-Bas
Description
Join the Werelderfgoedcentrum Waddenzee (WEC) in Lauwersoog this summer and support the rescue and rehabilitation of common harbour seal pups, starting from June for 8 weeks! Opening in 2025 as the new home of Seal Center Pieterburen, WEC combines wildlife care, science, and education to protect the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage site. In the Seal Rehabilitation Department, you will help care for injured, sick, and orphaned seals with the goal of releasing them back into the wild. Tasks include preparing feeds, observing eating behavior, assisting with medication, weighing seals, monitoring health, moving animals between pools, cleaning enclosures, and supporting daily operations. By joining the team, you will contribute directly to animal welfare while helping raise awareness of the importance of protecting one of Europe’s most valuable coastal ecosystems. This European Solidarity Corps position is specifically intended for participants who are not able to cover the costs.
Modalités d'hébergement, de restauration et de transport
Housing Volunteers stay at our campus in the Lauwersmeer nature area, 5 minutes by bike or 15 minutes on foot from the center. Bikes are provided. You will share a four-person house divided into two bedrooms, with two people per room and separate beds. Houses include internet and a common area with games. Food Groceries are included. Each volunteer can order food weekly through an online supplier with a budget of €56. Transport Volunteers arrange their own travel to the project's location. We encourage environmentally friendly transport whenever possible.
Formation pendant l’activité
You will receive training materials before arrival, along with an online kick-off presentation the week before your start. After arriving, you will take part in a two-week training period in the seal care department, where experienced nurses will teach you the basics of seal rehabilitation and daily care procedures.
Profil du participant
Working in seal rehab requires close collaboration with veterinary nurses, animal caretakers, volunteers, and other staff members. Communication is key, especially when it comes to following care protocols and responding to the changing needs of the animals. To join the Seal Rehabilitation Department, you must meet the following criteria: Be 18 years of age or older Have strong English communication skills Be able to follow instructions precisely Work well in a team-oriented environment Be physically fit and comfortable working outdoors and with animals - please note that the work is quite physical WEC regularly offers volunteer opportunities for participants who are able to finance their own stay. More information and applications can be found at https://ontdekwec.nl/en/. This European Solidarity Corps opportunity is specifically intended for participants who are not able to cover the costs of their stay. Please choose the application option that best fits your personal situation! Desirable requirements of applicant It is not mandatory to have a background in marine conservation or animal care; however, such experience can be an advantage and may help you feel more confident in certain tasks.
Dates de l’activité
Du 07/06/2026 au 02/08/2026
Lieu de l’activité
Haven 6, Lauwersoog, Pays-Bas
Type d’activité
Volontariat individuel
Nous recherchons des participants venus de
Albanie, Algérie, Allemagne, Arménie, Aruba, Autriche, Azerbaïdjan, Belgique, Biélorussie, Bonaire, Saint-Eustache et Saba, Bosnie-Herzégovine, Bulgarie, Chypre, Croatie, Curaçao, Danemark, Espagne, Estonie, Finlande, France, Groenland, Grèce, Géorgie, Hongrie, Irlande, Islande, Israël, Italie, Jordanie, Kosovo * UN resolution, Lettonie, Liban, Libye, Liechtenstein, Lituanie, Luxembourg, Macédoine du Nord, Malte, Maroc, Moldavie, Monténégro, Norvège, Nouvelle-Calédonie, Palestine, Pays-Bas, Pologne, Polynésie française, Portugal, Roumanie, Russie, Saint-Barthélemy, Saint-Martin (partie néerlandaise), Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, Serbie, Slovaquie, Slovénie, Suède, Syrie, Tchéquie, Terres australes et antarctiques françaises, Tunisie, Turquie, Ukraine, Wallis-et-Futuna, Égypte
Thèmes de l’activité
Environment and natural protection
Date limite de dépôt des candidatures
Délai de dépôt de candidature: 02/05/2026 23:59
Code du projet
2026-1-NL02-ESC51-VTJ-000401227