Position Type: Volunteer
Commitment: Approximately 30 hours per week
Minimum Commitment: 3 months
Compensation: Unpaid. Shared housing is provided, and internship/college credit may be available upon request.
About Magical Creatures Sanctuary
Magical Creatures Sanctuary is a volunteer run nonprofit animal sanctuary located on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. We provide lifelong care for more than 90 rescued animals. Every resident has been rescued and now has a permanent, compassionate home.
We're seeking dedicated, live-in volunteers who are passionate about animal welfare, enjoy hands-on work, and are excited to be part of a close-knit sanctuary community. Whether you're considering a career in animal care or simply looking for a meaningful volunteer experience, this role offers the opportunity to develop practical skills while living in a peaceful, off-grid environment.
Life at Magical Creatures Sanctuary is peaceful, rural, and intentionally simple. This is not a city or nightlife environment. Instead, it's ideal for individuals who enjoy nature, appreciate a slower pace of life, and want to fully immerse themselves in caring for rescued animals while living in a beautiful off-grid setting.
Responsibilities
As a volunteer, you'll play an important role in the daily care of our rescued residents. Duties may include:
- Preparing and distributing daily meals and ensuring fresh water is always available
- Cleaning shelters and animal living spaces
- Providing enrichment, grooming, handling, and compassionate daily care
- Assisting with medical treatments, including wound care and prosthetic support (training provided)
- Supporting animals with mobility challenges by assisting with wheelchairs, braces, and other adaptive equipment
- Creating enrichment activities and toys to encourage natural behaviors
Additional Opportunities
Depending on your interests, skills, and the sanctuary's needs, you may also have opportunities to assist with:
- Hoof trimming and basic husbandry
- Volunteer events and community workdays
- Fence repair, landscaping, and light construction projects
- Educational tours, outreach events, and social media content creation
Qualifications
We're looking for individuals who are:
- At least 18 years old
- Able to lift up to 50 pounds
- Comfortable performing physical work outdoors in varying weather conditions
- Reliable, self-motivated, and able to work independently as well as part of a team
- Compassionate toward animals and supportive of the sanctuary's mission
- Animal care, farm, veterinary, or sanctuary experience is appreciated but not required
- A valid U.S. driver's license is strongly preferred
Sanctuary Policies
To ensure the well-being of our residents and community:
- A vegan diet is required while on sanctuary property.
- Drugs, alcohol, and weapons are not permitted on-site.
What We Provide
Volunteers receive:
- Shared off-grid yurt accommodations
- Solar-powered housing with an outdoor shower and shared kitchen
- Two full days off each week
- Access to a sanctuary vehicle for errands and local exploration (fuel costs are the volunteer's responsibility)
- Wi-Fi access at the sanctuary office and cell service at the housing area
- The opportunity to explore nearby waterfalls, beaches, hiking trails, and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
- Potential internship or college credit opportunities
- A welcoming, mission-driven community dedicated to animal rescue
Pay: From $1.00 per hour
Application Question(s):
- What interests you most about this opportunity? What are you hoping to gain from this experience?
- Please describe your past work or volunteer experience(s) you feel are relevant to this position.
- What types of animals do you have direct experience with? Please describe.
- Do you have any experience with or exposure to animal sanctuaries? What does sanctuary mean to you?
- Do you understand that this is a volunteer position with no pay? Do you have any prior experience work trading for shared or private accommodations? Additionally, we require a vegan diet while onsite.
- What is the earliest date you would be available to potentially join our sanctuary? How long are you looking to commit? We are requested volunteers to commit to 3 months at a minimum
Work Location: In person
