IVI volunteers working with animals-2

Volunteer with Animals Abroad

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. 

Turtle Project_Pic by Maya-33

Who can apply to volunteer with animals abroad?

For most of our animal projects, no experience is required, just a love of all things wildlife, a desire to work hard and do good for the local animals and community.

Veterinary interns/ professionals are especially needed to work alongside local 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. 

You can help to protect endangered animals, or care for them, ready to re-homed into loving families.

ALL ANIMAL PROJECTS
group posing with some of the dogs

What does animal volunteering involve?

We have programs across a variety of fields, such as wildlife conservation, animal shelters, and veterinary experience (depending on qualifications). 

If you'd love to get hands on with the animals, then an animal shelter will suit you, as you can feed, bathe, and exercise the animals. 

Our wildlife conservation projects focus on protecting natural animal habitats, caring for injured animals, and education/ awareness on animal care. 

When you volunteer with animals you’ll receive a supervisor who is responsible for ensuring you have the support necessary. You may also be able to shadow professionals to gain valuable hands-on experience to take back home. 

FIND OUT HOW TO APPLY
Tong-Kam (born 1950)

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 resources, which is heavily constrained by local economic issues.

Other projects such as sea turtle conservation Bali 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. 

APPLY NOW

Find Volunteer with Animals Projects

Why IVI?

Make a Real Impact​

We focus on projects with genuine needs.  Community, Healthcare, Education, Childcare, Construction etc. You'll leave feeling like you truly achieved something​.

Top Rated

We were voted 'Top Overseas Volunteering Organisation 2019' by APAC insider Australia awards. We have thousands of positive testimonies

35+ Years in Operation​​

IVI is one of the pioneers of overseas volunteering. Established in 1989 we have trustworthy partners that know the local needs and treat every volunteer with love.

Charity & Non Profit​​

We don't just send volunteers overseas, we run campaigns and fundraise for materials so that our impact is significant and lasting in communities that need it.

Affordable Placements​​

Why pay thousands to volunteer abroad? It shouldn't cost that much. We're a non-profit org so we're not focused on profits, we're focused on helping people​. 

Flexibility & Choice​​

We have over 100+ projects in 20 countries. Most of our programs start every week so you have options around destinations, projects and start dates. 

Reviews

Jean
Jean
Dog Shelter, Peru
I loved working with the dogs. My experience was incredibly rewarding and the time I spent there felt impactful. The dogs were very receptive to any love and attention they received, and it was made apparent that a little would go a long way."

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