Volunteer

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary. Please watch our 7-minute Almost Wild mini-documentary to learn how Jungle Friends began and why the monkeys need your help.

We would love to have you come out as soon as possible and get started, we have nearly 200 monkeys for you to meet! As an Entry Level Volunteer, you will be shadowing one of our care staff in many areas. As you accrue more hours, you will be moved up to higher levels of responsibilities. Volunteers MUST be at least 18 years old.

What activities can you look forward to?

Cleaning habitats, constructing rope ladders, planting trees, collecting food bowls and everything in between! There is never a dull moment around the sanctuary. You will shadow one of our caregivers as they complete a variety of projects around the monkey yard, which also may include scrubbing dishes, making toys for the monkeys or landscaping during this shift. Advanced Volunteers may become project leaders and could be involved with monkey introductions, medications and health checks.

To sign up to volunteer, you must:

1) Register (only once) on our Online Volunteer Registration form to be eligible to volunteer.
2) Be sure to list what your best days and times are. Instead — We have shifts from sun up to sundown 7-days a week.

Learn about us

If you have any other questions after you have signed up you may email us at volunteer@junglefriends.org
The monkeys and the humans are looking forward to meeting you -- lots of monkey love!

Volunteer Groups

Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary is built on the hard work of our volunteers. If you belong to a group or organization that would like to volunteer some time and effort to help the monkeys, we would love to have you come out to volunteer. We can accomplish so much when we have groups come out for the day!

Organizing your group

Please choose one person to act as coordinator for your group volunteer day. The coordinator should contact us by emailing volunteer@junglefriends.org to make arrangements. Weekends are best, but volunteer days can also be arranged on weekdays.
Plan to stay for 4 hours, usually from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Different hours are possible, but please understand that we are always working around the monkey care schedule.
Volunteers should be 18 or older. (In some cases, special arrangement may be made for younger volunteers if accompanied by a parent or guardian; please check with us in advance.)
We can handle up to ten volunteers in a shift. Larger groups can split into multiple shifts.
The coordinator should make sure that everyone in their group receives and understands the information below regarding work schedule, paperwork to be completed, and appropriate dress.
You will be able to tour the sanctuary and meet the monkeys after your volunteer shift.
Everyone in the group should review the rules and information in the Volunteer Packet. Directions to the sanctuary are also included in the Volunteer Packet.
Everyone in the group must complete the paper form in the Volunteer Packet (and bring it with you) or submit the Online Volunteer Application form.

What to bring and what to wear

Wear closed shoes, such as sneakers or boots. No flip-flops, sandals or other open shoes.
Wear comfortable clothing for outdoor work, and remember that sanctuary work can be hard on your clothes -- dirt, stains, and tears can definitely happen, so dress accordingly.
Bring rain gear, jackets/sweatshirts or dress in layers, appropriate to the season.
Bring work gloves, if you have them.
Sunscreen and bug spray are necessities.
If you wear a hat or sunglasses, be warned that the monkeys like them, too, and will do their best to steal them from you. Don't wear anything on your head if you're not okay with losing it to the monkeys.
Do not wear jewelry. Again, the monkeys will steal it if they can, and what they steal they get to keep, so don't tempt them!
You can bring your cell phone, but if it falls out of your pocket within a monkey's reach you will lose it forever. They love electronics.
You are welcome to bring a brown-bag or potluck meal for a picnic lunch at the sanctuary after your shift. Vegan food only, please -- no meat or dairy.
And don't forget your water bottle.
We would appreciate it if you would bring a small donation of unsalted nuts, dried fruit, or a monetary donation.

Individual Volunteers

We ask that volunteers arrive on time and work a 4-hour shift from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. After your shift, we will show you around the sanctuary and introduce you to some of our monkey residents -- and hopefully make plans for your next volunteer day!

We are always looking for dependable, regular volunteers! Different shifts are possible, but please understand that we must work around the monkey care schedule.

Who can volunteer?

Volunteers should be 18 or older. (In some cases, special arrangement may be made for younger volunteers if accompanied by a parent or guardian; please check with us in advance.)
You will be able to tour the sanctuary and meet the monkeys after your volunteer shift.

What to do

Schedule your volunteer day by emailing volunteer@junglefriends.org. Please give us at least 24 hours' notice.
Review the rules and information in the Volunteer Packet. Directions to the sanctuary are also included in the Volunteer Packet.
Complete the paper form in the Volunteer Packet (and bring it with you) or submit the Online Volunteer Application form.

What to bring and what to wear

Wear closed shoes such as sneakers or boots. No flip-flops, sandals or other open shoes.
Wear comfortable clothing for outdoor work, and remember that sanctuary work can be hard on your clothes -- dirt, stains, and tears can definitely happen, so dress accordingly.
Bring rain gear, jackets/sweatshirts or dress in layers, appropriate to the season.
Bring work gloves, if you have them.
Sunscreen and bug spray are necessities.
If you wear a hat or sunglasses, be warned that the monkeys like them, too, and will do their best to steal them from you. Don't wear anything on your head if you're not okay with losing it to the monkeys.
Do not wear jewelry. Again, the monkeys will steal it if they can, and what they steal they get to keep, so don't tempt them!
You can bring your cell phone, but if it falls out of your pocket within a monkey's reach you will lose it forever. They love electronics.
You are welcome to bring a brown-bag meal for a picnic lunch after your shift. Vegan food only, please -- no meat or dairy items.
And don't forget your water bottle.
We would appreciate it if you would bring a small donation of unsalted nuts, dried fruit, or a monetary donation.