Voluntary Animal Care Placements with Projects Abroad

If you have a passion for working with animals then our voluntary animal care projects are a perfect way for you to gain some knowledge or put your skills into practice, with some work experience in the developing world.

You can volunteer whether you are on a gap year from your education, on a career break, or as part of an extended holiday. No matter what your age or experience we have a placement for you!

Volunteer Animal Care in the Developing World

Attitudes to animals in the developing world are different from those that exist in the developed world, for a variety of reasons.

In poorer societies a great deal of dependence is placed on many types of animals for the completion of necessary tasks, particularly in farming, where people do not benefit from the labour-saving devices that are taken for granted in many developed countries. Working animals are therefore valued in terms of their strength and speed, and livelihoods depend on them being fit and healthy.

Attitudes to other types of animals are also often very different. A dog might be ‘man’s best friend’, and considered another member of your family, but it is hard to feel affection and empathy for such an animal when you live below the poverty line and struggle to feed your children. In many developing countries there is a much higher incident rate of animal neglect, and therefore also a great need for volunteer help.

Volunteering Overseas with Animals in Mexico or South Africa

Working as a volunteer on an Animal Care project with Projects Abroad, you can choose from an animal rehabilitation centre in Mexico or in one of two centres in South Africa; a centre for cats and dogs or a bird sanctuary.

Whether you work in Mexico or South Africa you will be allocated a placement supervisor who is responsible for giving you a full and varied flavour of the kind of work done by people in this field. You will shadow local professionals and will gain hands-on experience which befits your level of experience. You will be able to ask questions and learn from your local colleagues.

Whether you are rehabilitating an injured falcon in Mexico, or vaccinating a dog in South Africa, you will gain some fantastic experience which will help you on your UCAS form or in future job interviews, whilst also making a big difference to the lives of the animals and people you work with.

Animal care centre, Guadalajara

Animal hospital, Guadalajara

Penguins