Animal care 🐾

Explore animal care volunteering opportunities with farms, sanctuaries, shelters, ranches and other projects looking for help with the everyday care and welfare of animals.

Activities may include feeding, cleaning shelters or enclosures, grooming, preparing bedding, exercising animals, general maintenance and other practical tasks. The exact responsibilities depend on the species, project and experience required.

Some listings may be seasonal, archival or no longer active. Always check the publication date and confirm the current activities and conditions directly with the host before making travel plans.

How to use this page

Open the opportunity that interests you and read the complete announcement. Look for the contact details at the end of the listing to find the host’s website, email address or application procedure.

Before applying, confirm the animal-care tasks, weekly hours, days off, supervision, accommodation, meals, minimum stay and any fees, deposits or other financial arrangements directly with the host.

Some opportunities may be fair exchanges with no mandatory participant fee, while others may request a contribution or programme fee. If payment is required, ask for the exact amount, what it covers and the applicable payment, cancellation and refund conditions before making a commitment.

Voluntouring does not organise placements, select participants, arrange visas or mediate between volunteers and hosts. It does not process participant payments between volunteers and host organisations. Publication on Voluntouring.org does not in itself constitute verification, endorsement or a recommendation of an organisation or programme.

Animal welfare and volunteer safety

Working with animals can involve physical work, bites, kicks, scratches, zoonotic diseases, heavy lifting, farm equipment and unpredictable behaviour. Ask what training, protective equipment and supervision will be provided before taking responsibility for animals.

Volunteers should not diagnose illnesses, administer medication, perform veterinary procedures or handle dangerous animals beyond their training and qualifications. Medical and veterinary decisions should remain with appropriately qualified professionals.

Research the project carefully and consider whether animal welfare is genuinely central to its activities. For sanctuaries, rescue centres and wildlife-related projects, ask about permits, long-term care, rehabilitation policies and what happens to the animals after the volunteer experience ends.

Related opportunities

For additional guidance, read Voluntouring’s information about safety and legality in volunteering and work exchanges.

Important: project availability, participant fees, animal-care duties and safety arrangements can change. Confirm current information directly with the host before making travel or financial commitments.

Last reviewed: September 2026.

Browse animal care volunteering opportunities 🐾

Browse the projects below and use the “Older Posts” navigation if available to continue exploring previous opportunities. Always check the publication date before applying.

Do you care for animals and need volunteer help? You can submit your opportunity to Voluntouring.org for editorial review.

Submit an animal care opportunity