THORNHILL – An Italian animal lover has travelled thousands of kilometres to volunteer at African Dawn Bird and Wildlife Sanctuary near Thornhill, where she is spending 11 days helping to care for rescued birds and wildlife while gaining hands-on conservation experience.

African Dawn management welcomed Caterina Giovinetti and said they were grateful she had chosen to spend her time at the sanctuary.

“We are incredibly grateful that she has chosen to spend her time helping care for our feathered and furry residents. Volunteers like Caterina play a vital role in supporting our conservation and rehabilitation efforts, and we can’t wait for her to become part of the African Dawn family,” management said.

Giovinetti discovered the sanctuary through Volunteer World while searching for a wildlife volunteering opportunity in South Africa.

“I had wanted to come to South Africa for a long time, and I finally found the perfect opportunity to work with animals and experience my passion for them firsthand,” said Giovinetti.

Although she has only been at the sanctuary for a few days, Giovinetti said she settled in quickly thanks to the support she received.

She described working with the animals as even more enjoyable than she had expected.

“The work is not as hard as it might seem. In fact, it is fun, rewarding and something I genuinely look forward to every day,” said Giovinetti.

She said the experience had also influenced her future career plans and confirmed that she wanted to pursue a career focused on animals.

Giovinetti added that African Dawn immediately stood out among the many volunteer opportunities she had considered.

“As soon as I read about African Dawn, I knew it was the right place for me. I was excited by the chance to see and work with animals that I could never even imagine seeing in Italy. It immediately felt like a very special place,” said Giovinetti.

She said she was grateful for the opportunity despite being far from home, as it had given her the chance to do something she had always dreamed of and to discover a world that had always fascinated her.

During her 11-day stay, Giovinetti will assist with preparing food, feeding the animals, cleaning enclosures and spending time with the sanctuary’s animal residents.

According to African Dawn management, volunteers typically begin preparing food at 05:00 before feeding starts at 07:00.

The day also includes cleaning duties, further food preparation, afternoon feeding sessions and other daily tasks.

Management said the number of international volunteers varies each year, with the sanctuary usually hosting more than 10 volunteers annually, the majority of whom come from Germany.

Volunteers assist with caring for sick animals and helping to ensure all the birds and wildlife receive proper care, and no previous experience is required.

Management said volunteer contributions extend beyond their daily work, with all funds received from their volunteering going directly towards purchasing food for the animals.

The sanctuary also benefits from lasting relationships with many former volunteers.

“We still have old volunteers who constantly return or donate money or food on a regular basis,” management said.

Management said volunteer support remains essential, with volunteers helping to care for the sanctuary’s resident animals while also contributing towards food purchases.

Furthermore, hosting international volunteers helps spread awareness about wildlife conservation by enabling people from around the world to learn about different animal species.

“It’s an amazing experience to work hands-on with all kinds of birds and animals. You care for species who cannot care for themselves anymore,” management said.

Despite the assistance it receives, management said one of its biggest ongoing challenges is securing sufficient financial support to provide the best possible care for its birds, animals and the people who look after them every day.

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