Dedicated to the preservation of America's wild horses
We rescue, rehabilitate, and find new homes for mustangs and burros while providing educational clinics and seminars to the public. We are based in Webster, Florida. We are a non-profit rescue and rehabilitation center, and we rely on volunteers, sponsorships, donations, and adoptions to provide care for our wonderful mustang rescues.
Founded by Diane Delano in 2000, Wild Horse Rescue Center (WHRC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the welfare, rescue, and preservation of America’s wild horses – the mustangs. WHRC receives mustangs who have been taken from the wild and have ended up in neglectful or abusive situations. WHRC rehabilitates these wild horses so they have the chance to get adopted into good homes and have a dignified life after being taken from the wild.
WHRC works directly with various government and private agencies who help facilitate the acquisition of mustangs from all over the United States. Our partnerships help us to better identify animals in need of rescue while working within state and federal regulations.
Your contributions ensure we're able to locate, transport, and rehabilitate these amazing animals back to health and happiness.Volunteer in the charismatic country that is Florida.
Work and help protect the wild horses of North America
Diverse and hands on work with plenty to do and experience.
You will develop new transferable skills and gain industry experience that match your passion and interests.
Learn the techniques of horse rehabilitation.
Experience day off adventures and embrace the local culture, sights & attractions.
WHRC is dedicated to ensuring a dignified life for wild horses, thereby sustaining America’s wild heritage—the Mustang. They aim to rescue these animals from mistreatment, rehabilitate them, and find them new homes while educating the public about the importance of preservation.
About the program
Volunteers are crucial to our rescue center – providing much needed help and allowing us to properly care for our rescued Mustangs.
Wild Horse Rescue Center (WHRC) is a 501(c)3 NG0. WHRC could not exist without our volunteers. By visiting WHRC, you are taking an active part in our rescue work and a critical stand against abuse and mistreatment of wild horses. You will help ensure a dignified life for our horses and help sustain America’s wild heritage – the Mustang.
What can you expect?
Anyone over 21 years old can volunteer at WHRC – regardless of physical abilities, there is always something to do. Rare exceptions to this age requirement may be made for volunteer applicants age 18-20 who have advanced horse experience and are approved after a video interview with Diane. If you sign up to volunteer, we expect you to work and participate in all activities; however, if there are any physical aspects that make you unable to participate in everything, we can adjust your tasks.
As a volunteer, you will help with daily chores, such as mucking stalls, daily care of the horses, and infrastructural improvements to stables. You will also assist in real hands-on rehabilitation work with wild horses. The majority of our horses come from abusive environments, and when they first arrive, they are often genuinely afraid of people. As a volunteer, you will play a critical part in helping these horses understand that not all people are bad.
Weekly Volunteer Program
As a volunteer with us, you will get real hands-on experience with our mustangs – both wild and tame! Our volunteers help with everyday barn maintenance, horse care and exercise, capital improvements, and helping to socialize wild horses. A big part of volunteer work with us is socializing with rescued and wild/semi-wild mustangs.
Our rescue work with wild horses is drastically different than work with domestic horses, so please keep an open mind! You can expect to do some riding during your stay; however, as we are a rescue and rehabilitation center, the focus is not on riding. We do not allow volunteers to go off-site individually with the horses for insurance and safety reasons.
There will be activities scheduled such as beach trips, kayaking, horse riding trails, etc. for the volunteers, and, if you wish, you can arrange transportation for off-site activities on your free days. We are in a remote area, but public transportation, such as UBER, is available.
All volunteers will be responsible for keeping their living area clean.
Mucking Stalls
Daily Horse Care
Learning Rehabilitation Techniques
Exercising Horses
Land & Infrastructure Maintenance
Wild Horse Socialising
Care For Dogs, Chickens & Pigs
Horse Medication
Community Projects
Fundraising
Cultural Exchange
So Much More
You will stay in a room or cabin with up to four people to a room. It is a bunk bed setup, and you will have closet space for your clothes. The kitchen is shared as well as the bathrooms. There is a living room with a television and several movies.
Your payment goes toward:
· Lodging (which you keep clean yourself) in either a single or double room in our bunkhouse or a single or double cabin.
· Access to laundry facilities and a fully-equipped kitchen stocked with food essentials such as seasonings, spices, condiments, flour, sugar, coffee, tea, etc.
PLEASE NOTE: MEALS ARE NOT PROVIDED BY WHRC.
Volunteers will be taken to grocery stores where they can purchase and pay for the food for their meals, which they will prepare on their own.
The remainder goes toward animal care and facility maintenance.
Join us at the wildlife rescue center and make a true difference in the preservation of the wild horses of North America for:
From only €465 per week
Apply Today
Additional Info
Volunteer info
DURING YOUR VOLUNTEER STAY AT WHRC:
· All WHRC volunteers will go through a volunteer orientation upon arrival and will be responsible for keeping their personal areas, bathrooms, and common cooking areas clean.
· Volunteers will participate in everyday horse care and barn maintenance, as well as, real hands-on care and rehabilitation of our rescued and abused mustangs. A big part of our volunteer work is socializing our rescued and wild/semi-wild mustangs.
· WHRC is a rescue and rehabilitation center, so the focus is not on riding. We do not allow volunteers to go off-site individually with the horses, due to insurance and safety reasons.
· Volunteers will have one day off each week. Volunteers are encouraged to schedule off-site excursions on their days off. These activities may include visiting Central Florida attractions, beach excursions, water skiing, kayaking, zip lining, river tubing, boat tours, etc.
PLEASE NOTE: Volunteers will pay for all off-site excursion expenses, including transportation costs.
WHAT TO BRING:
Personal Items:
• Backpack / rucksack (for excursions)
• Toiletries, including sunscreen, insect repellent, and a small medical kit
• Cell phone/charger
• Travel size laundry detergent (Washer/Dryer is provided)
• Antibacterial hand sanitizer (does not need water to rinse off)
PLEASE NOTE: Bed linens and bath towels will be provided.
Clothing:
• Walking shoes, trainers, or sneakers (You must bring shoes that cover the feet fully.)
• Mud boots
• Sandals or flip flops
• A hat to protect you from the sun and work gloves to protect your hands
• T-shirts, tank tops, long sleeved shirts, shorts, long pants, beachwear, and sleepwear
• Jacket, rain coat, and warm coat (in the winter)
Airport Transfer
WHRC will pick you up and drop you off from the Orlando International Airport (MCO)