Volunteer Abroad USA: Florida Mustang Protec­tion

Once you have reached 18 years or more and have sufficient English skills, there is nothing that could keep you away from applying to this project. As a volunteer on the ranch, you should have a heart for animals and be interested in general horsemanship. You should be aware of the fact that this project is not a holiday and that the work with the animals on the ranch has priority.

Volunteer applicants are also required to complete a Zoom interview with the founder of the project prior to the completion of their bookings.

Furthermore, you might need a visa for your volunteering work. Depending on the duration of your stay and your destination, the requirements might vary. You might check out the foreign department’s website for the visa standards, or ask the Natucate team directly.

Prior to your departure, we will help you organise and plan your whole stay. We will help you find a good flight and arrange your visa application. In Florida, you will be picked up by our partner and brought to the ranch. Furthermore, your accommodation and food will be provided. Towels and bedding will be provided as well.

A journey to the USA has no specific vaccination requirements. In general, you need to talk to your doctor and make sure you are vaccinated against Morbilli, Mumps and Rubella. In case of injuries, it is also advised to be vaccinated against Tetanus. For current information and warnings regarding your destination, you should check out the homepage of the foreign department. You definitely need travel insurance to start your volunteering work with Natucate. We can help you find something for you.

You will be spending a lot of time outside; therefore, you should consider packing light, comfortable clothing which can get dirty. Furthermore, we advise you to pack a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, water bottle and mosquito repellent. Generally, you should pack a sturdy pair of boots and long sleeved shirts, as well as a pair of long pants. If you have it, riding gear would be perfect.

We will support you during your organisation and planning process. But you will have to book your flight to Orlando airport (MCO) on your own. Once you arrived at the airport, you will meet a staff member of our partner who will pick you up and take you to the ranch. The project always starts on Mondays. Please make sure to arrive at Orlando International Airport between 09:00 AM and 08:00 PM. In the end of the project, a staff member will take you back to the airport. Your return flight should depart between 11:00 AM and 08:00 PM.

After your arrival on Monday, you can get to know your team and your new surroundings. On the next day (Tuesday) you will take part in an orientation and training session to learn more about the project and your tasks before the actual project work starts on Wednesday.

Once you get to the farm, you will not need further transportation since your work will take place on site. If there is any need for transportation, the team on the farm will try to arrange something for you.

During your time at the farm, you will work with the horses on a daily basis. Your work includes the maintenance and fostering of the animals, as well as the farm and the ground itself. Depending on your experience with horses, you will help to resocialize the horses and train them. You will also be responsible for the feeding of the dogs, pigs, chickens and other animals on the ranch.

In general, it is not possible to pick your tasks. Everyone has to help out with everything. Tasks depend on the daily needs of the animals.

After your arrival you will be introduced to your work, and soon you will execute them on your own. Working on the farm can be tough: the climate is different than at home, you may not be used to working physically 5 to 6 days a week, and you have to adapt to your new surroundings. This can be physically and mentally challenging for you, especially in the first couple of days.

Please note: During activities and training, using a mobile phone/smartphone is not allowed.

The group size of the international volunteers is limited to 6 people.

In addition to the international volunteers, there is a team of local volunteers who come in the mornings to help with the care of the animals. Usually, the international volunteers always enjoy interacting with the local volunteers very much.

In 2022, the accommodation for the international volunteers was completely renewed. There are two different types of accommodation. Both are located directly on the ranch, are furnished in "western cowboy" style and offer a great view. You either stay in a beautiful bungalow or in one of the two charming cabins.

It is possible to get placed with your partner or friend, but it always depends on the current room availability.

During the project period, you will be provided with three meals a day, where volunteers take turns to help prepare lunch or dinner. The meals are exclusively vegetarian or pescetarian.

However, volunteers can accompany the regular supermarket trips and purchase meat products there on their own responsibility. The same applies to special dietary products such as vegan or gluten-free food.

The catering during the project is already geared towards vegetarians and pescetarians. However, special diets such as vegan or gluten-free cannot be catered for.

Volunteers can, however, purchase vegan, gluten-free or meat-containing products at their own expense during regular supermarket trips.

As a volunteer you will be working on six days per week starting at 8:30 a.m. and ending in the late afternoon or evening. There will be a break at noon to escape the heat. One day, usually Sunday or Monday, will be your off-day.

During your lunch break or after working hours, you might relax on the veranda or take a swim in the pool. You can spend some time with the other volunteers or go on some day trips to areas close by. Some days, you and the other participants can arrange a barbecue or game nights. During the days off, you will also have the opportunity to go on smaller excursions in the surrounding area and explore the region. You can enjoy the landscape in peace and quiet or get active.

Volunteers are not allowed to go off-site individually with the horses, due to insurance and safety reasons. All trail rides are done in groups with a staff member.

The team on site will always be at the farm and can answer your questions. They will be responsible for you and help you with any kind of problem. You can also contact us at any time.

Usually you will not have any other kind of spending during the project since accommodation and food is provided. But you might need money for free time activities, trips, or additional snacks you want to purchase. You can withdraw cash at the airport or the city. Still you should take enough cash with you since the closest city Orlando is a 45 minute drive away.

You will have Wifi access at the ranch which may be limited sometimes. There will also be a computer available to the volunteers. Depending on the weather the signal might be weak. To save some money you should consider purchasing a prepaid card.

Florida can be divided in two climate zones. The northwest and the central part of the country have cold winters and warm summers. The south has a more or less tropical climate with high temperature all year around. The winter in the south is still warm but not as hot as the summer.

The drinking age in the USA is 21. It is also not allowed to drink alcohol on the street in public. We ask you to follow these rules and respect the conditions