RAINFOREST AWARENESS RESCUE EDUCATION CENTRE
Carretera Iquitos-Nauta Km 47 Iquitos, Peru

Welcome to RAREC
Rainforest Awareness Rescue Education Center is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located near Iquitos in the amazon rainforest of Peru which is rescuing and rehabilitating Amazonian wildlife, while aiming to teach the local community how to sustain themselves without putting pressure on the rainforest.
Since our founding in 2011, we have rescued a diverse range of species, including manatees, ocelots, tapirs, anteaters, sloths, a giant river otter, and primates such as spider and woolly monkeys.
TAKE A LOOK AT OUR CENTER
Watch our virtual tour to see our facilities, meet some of our residents, and get a glimpse into daily life at RAREC.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
There are many ways to volunteer with us or join an internship program to gain hands-on experience. We strive to make these opportunities accessible to people of all backgrounds and skill levels. Explore the options below and reach out to apply!
Remeber RAREC is also a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in the USA. If you are a US citizen, your donation to cover our programs is tax-deductible, allowing you to contribute to meaningful change whlie enjoying the benefits of your generosity.
REVIWS
Curious about what it’s like to volunteer with us or visit our center? Hear directly from those who have experienced it firsthand!
EXCELLENT Based on 55 reviews Christine K WE LOVE RAREC!! VIktor Wynd, my husband Beto and I spent a wonderful day at RAREC, with John's friend Anthony of the Amazon River Lodge. JOhn picked us up in Iquitos, took us to RARAC, showed us around and took us home. We had several intimate encounters with some of the animals; I got to hold a 6 month old anteater, who inserted his tongue into my nostril! So so endearing. We bottle fed a manatee, quite thrilling, and interacted with several types of monkeys, who were eager to hold our hands and play with us. We saw a beautiful ocelot and macaw as well. The wonderful thing about RAREC Is that you can get quite close to some of the caged animals, like the monkeys, and interact with them - not at all typical. We were also able to swim in a pond where 3 manatees live; we didnt' see them but it was fun to know that they were nearby. We met several volunteers, had a delicious lunch, and were ecstatic for the rest of the day. Back home in Sn Francisco, I'm still holding that sweet young anteater in my arms.... all in all, this was an incredible experience, way over the top. THANK YOU JOHN!!! Lene One of my favorite places on earth :) I was volunteering at RAREC for a month and had the time of my life. It was a very impactful and inspirational for me to be able to learn so much about these animals and their conservation. Special emphasis on the privilege to be able to work alongside the RAREC team with these dedicated, knowledgeable and very welcoming people who made me feel at home and have a so much fun while working. Here at RAREC you have the chance to make a valuable contribution to the incredible work that the centre does for the protection of habitats, animals and people and at the same time gain so much valuable experience for yourself. No matter how much time you have to spare, might it be days or weeks I couldn’t think of a better way to spend it. I wouldn’t want to miss a single minute of the memories I made there. Michelle M Veterinary Student Volunteer at RAREC I had the opportunity to volunteer at RAREC for four weeks. It was such an incredible opportunity to meet and work alongside people who are so passionate and dedicated to looking after the animals to the highest standard. There were always opportunities to learn and interact with the animals. I had an amazing experience and I wish I could go back already! MeganGoTravel Saving the Amazon one volunteer at a time! I volunteered at RAREC for a month, and it was an amazing experience! This organization really cares about their animals and preparing them for a life back in their wild habitat. It was wonderful to be part of the team effort to rescue, rehabilitate and release these unique Amazonian animals, and was great to be around like-minded people who all share a similar philosophy about conservation. Staying in the Amazon rainforest was spectacular! Going on hikes, and tours, and going to see the pink dolphins are just some of the amazing things you can do on your day off. You can also visit the city of Iquitos. One of my favorite parts of city visits was trying different food and bringing back my favorite foods to have at RAREC during the week. Meals are provided, but having your own food to snack on is a plus. You will learn a lot there, and it will probably change your perspective for the better. I will definitely volunteer at RAREC again, because I know that each time I do, I am literally contributing to the welfare of the Amazon! Malen T Increíble Estuve hace unos meses como voluntaria, fue una experiencia increíble. Me encantaría volver, excelentes personas y el lugar hermoso. Eric B Extraordinary Volunteer Experience at Unique Animal Rescue Center I recently spent 4 weeks volunteering at RAREC, shortly after retiring. It was an amazing adventure, in service of wonderful animals and with wonderful people. It is hard work, and not without discomfort (it is the jungle, after all!), but the more you give, the more you get back. It is not for everyone, since the focus is on caring for the animals, not photo ops or comfort, but this is a space that makes a real difference. Sebastian Memories for a lifetime!❤️ RAREC is a wonderful organization located in the Amazonian jungle of Iquitos. John, the owner, his wife Kathya, the whole staff and the animals are just so amazing and lovely! I would go back in a heartbeat, and I will somedays! Thanks for everything! Highly recommended if you are looking to do something meaningful with an impact to the local community and it’s animals. Hasta luego! Maud Beste reis ooit Ik verbleef hier voor 6 weken en het was fantastisch! Super vriendelijke mensen, super eten en een super locatie. Je verblijft er in het midden van de jungle ziet al de prachtige dieren en je krijgt toch de nodige luxe. Zeker een aanrader! Becca L Thank you! RAREC and the people there are an absolutely dream. Their vision is absolutely special and I am so grateful for my time there! Highly recommend for volunteering or just visiting. You can learn so much and I promise you’ll be taken care of:) PAULA CAROLINA L Un lugar inolvidable De las mejores experiencias que he tenido en mi vida, cualquier persona amante de los animales y de la naturaleza encontrarán ahí su sueño. El poder ayudar brinda una satisfacción increíble. John y Kathya son las mejores personas con las que puede contar este lugar, su esfuerzo ha hecho que sea posible vivir una experiencia tan única. Quien desee ir jamás se arrepentirá. Lo recomiendo 100% no dejen de ir!
LEARN ABOUT OUR CONSERVATION PROJECTS
We run diverse projects to support local communities around Iquitos while researching and protecting the region’s biodiversity by tracking our released animals.
How To Support Us
This center wouldn’t be what it is without the generous contributions of each and every one of you. Here are a few ways you can support our mission:
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Recieve a quarterly update of our projects and animal updates including recent rescues as well as job openings.