06/15/2026
Did you know that along with regular volunteer opportunities we do have opportunities for students and adults to fulfill service volunteer hours, and although we are not open to the public for the stress reduction and best interest of the residents we do have memberships and community tours scheduled in Spring/Summer with Big Foot Recreation.
Many student as part of extra curricular activities or clubs have service hours or contributions to complete.
For many years elementary schools would create Holiday Cards for the residents. Several clubs/groups have hosted Food, Blanket, and Freezer meat drives.
Other student have volunteered with a guardian and interviewed their trainer volunteer to write an essay done a documentary video for class on the plight of exotic animals and the pet trade, the pay to play industry, the importance of domestic animal cat/dog/small mammals, etc. rescue.
https://votk.org/volunteer-at-the-valley-of-the-kings/
One volunteer who saw a segment on VOTK on Wild Chicago, grew up going to a public zoo and spending hours in the big cat and Gorilla house every week. Visiting many zoos over their years and observing behaviors and reading about the exotic animal trade expressed their amazement of seeing the happiness of Chuffing, Purrs, Clucks, and the happy relaxed noises that many animals make and visual behaviors reflecting relaxation and and no sign of stress pacing.
We encourage you to become a member, complete service hours, visit with a Big Foot Tour, become a regular volunteer caretaker to experience the residents and see for yourself the difference the sanctuary and you makes in the lives of those that do not have a voice of their own.
Our membeship rates are very reasonable and enable you to schedule educational tours on visiting days as often as desired while appointments are available.
https://votk.org/membership/
