Are you passionate about wildlife and want to travel abroad? Whether you’re a veterinarian, an aspiring vet or simply a passionate animal lover, volunteering overseas on animal welfare projects is an amazing experience, which provides genuine help to people in developing communities and a great addition to any resume.

While volunteering overseas you’re likely to come in contact with exotic or unfamiliar animals that you are not used to in your home country.  For instance, snakes, elephants, gibbons,kangaroos, lemurs, large cats and monkey’s!

Responsible Treatment of Wildlife

IVI Volunteers are very passionate about ensuring that our animal placements do not support cruel animal ‘tourism’ practises. We would never recommend a project which is not aligned to our values in this area.

For example, the Elephant Adventure in Thailand was set up to sustain the elephant population and surrounding natural environment in a very remote region of Thailand well off the beaten tourist trail. Caring for elephants is a very resource heavy process. Volunteers assist the local people in caring for these animals in their natural habitat by gathering sugarcane and banana trees etc.   This alone makes a massive difference by supplementing existing resourcing which is heavily constrained by local economic issues.

Other projects such as sea turtle conservation Bali are located in non tourist areas and are designed primarily to support the local habitat and local community. In many developing countries there is a much higher incident rate of animal neglect, and therefore also a great need for volunteer assistance.

Why would you choose IVI for an overseas adventure?

Based on over 33 years of experience in supporting global volunteer with animals abroad placements we have a careful selection of worthwhile, affordable wildlife projects in amazing destinations. We’re a non-profit organisation with values deeply rooted in volunteerism and a proven track record of highly affordable quality projects.

Volunteering allows you to develop your own personal and professional skills while experiencing new cultures to expand your understanding of your place in this great world we share!

In all placements you’ll receive a supervisor who is responsible for ensuring you have the support necessary to carry out the well needed work. Shadowing professionals is normally involved so you can gain hands-on experience and ask questions.

Who can apply to volunteer with animals?

Veterinary interns are especially needed to work alongside professionals to develop new ways of thinking and to supplement local resourcing due to severe cost constraints found in developing countries. Sadly, animal welfare is not always a significant concern in regions where human social & economical development issues exist.  For this reason, animal welfare in developing countries is particularly needed.

In most cases, no experience is required to be accepted into the projects. Just a love of animals and a desire to work hard and do good for the local wildlife and community.