Wwoofing Australia

The everyday life at a Farm in Australia
By Mae

The ad in the WWOOFing Book told me about the little minizoo that the family would have. Even in the phone calls my new hosts told me they have a lot of animals. But I thought that would not be a problem for me, because I like animals.

But when I arrived at my new host family I was really surprised. It was true, they have a really big zoo of little animals. You can find any kind of birds, mouses and ducks. Also they have snakes, mealworms and reptiles. But they are living in cages. So I feel safe. Furthermore the family asserts that they are not poison.

The problems are the other animals which live everywhere. And I mean everywhere. Behind the washbasin, behind the doors. You can find cockroaches, ants, spiders. And they do not live in cages. So I do not feel really safe. I know that they have more fear of me, but you never know.
Especially in Australia where you can recover a lot of beautiful and strange animals. But the most important question is, if they are poison. But my host, particularly the children were laughing about me and teach me what I have to do in case that I meet a wild living animal. First I should remember that I have no fear. They have more fear for me. I do not believe in this, but I feel better if I say it loud and strong in case of a meeting. Second I do not touch them, because you never know. Most of the animals are not dangerous even in Australia, but maybe they brought forward diseases. And third I should go away and follow my way.

I stay at this place for the next 2 weeks so I have a lot of possibilities to practise this rules. My task for the next weeks is to take care of the animals. The cats live outside, so I only have to feed them. That is easy.

But to be an animal keeper connoted to be in touch with the animals. My task includes to feed the animals with bread, grass or grain. Of course it says to make sure that every animal feel alright. 

Furthermore it includes not only the nice sides. Even the smelling work has to be done. Unfortunately the animals have no water closet. That would be easier for me.

So the work includes to clean up the cages. One time per week it is necessary to clean the ponds from the ducks. That needs a little bit more time. But it is good for the fitness of your body.

For all the work which I split up in to two times a day needs round about 2 hours per day. The dogs live outside in the garden. That means no more work as to clear the shit.

They have more animals as I have dreamed of. Definitely. Every kind of animals that I could imagine lives at this place.

Every day I am better in respect the rules. I am sure that the day when I can go without no fear through the house is not far.

I learn a lot about animal care, I improve my fear against special animals. And of course I really begin to like all the little animals, too.

More information: Wwoof Australia