Volunteers are a lifeline to many animal charities and organisations around the world. They ensure that they can continue to provide essential veterinary care and train local veterinary professionals in places that lack accessible veterinary care. Volunteering is a great way to have a lasting impact on animal welfare as you are giving up your time and using your skills to create a brighter future for animals around the world.
Volunteers are at the heart of WVS. Since the beginning in 2003, volunteers have played a crucial role in our life-saving work. Hundreds of volunteers – veterinarians, vet nurses, and animal lovers – have supported our animal welfare projects around the world. We deploy volunteers, both veterinary and non-veterinary, to exciting projects all around the globe, to places where you can make a real difference to the lives of animals.
Volunteers are crucial in the mission to make the world a better place for animals, which is why we have put together some reasons why we think you should volunteer with animals abroad.
Reason 1: Providing care to animals in need
Animals all around the world are suffering, without access to veterinary care. By volunteering with animals, you will be ensuring that these animals receive the care they deserve. By actively participating you will be able to see the difference you are making, doing your part to helping animals in desperate need of veterinary care. Whether you are providing veterinary treatment or supporting with the care of animals, you will be changing the lives of animals in need and contributing to improving animal welfare globally.
“Shelter medicine for me is extremely rewarding and challenging in many ways, but most of all, I feel like I am making a difference in this world.” Faye, Pacific Animal Shelter and Hospital (PASH), Fiji.
Reason 2: Develop your skills and knowledge
Volunteering will provide you with new experiences that will challenge you. Many charities and organisation in need of support are in deprived areas that lack veterinary supplies and equipment that you may be used to working with. As a volunteer you may have to work with basic resources and overcome the challenges that come with this as you adapt to what is available. Through volunteering there may also be chances to develop certain veterinary skills with the support of expert veterinary professionals. Through this you will improve your abilities and skills that you can take with you throughout your career.
“It was an amazing experience for me as an RVN and as a person. Being part of the campaign made me realise how often we are taking everything for granted. I have learned different ways of anaesthesia and how to manage without modern equipment.” Kasia, WVS Tanzania project.
Reason 3: Providing veterinary services to communities
For many people around the world, they lack accessible and affordable veterinary care to ensure their pet is kept healthy. Veterinary services are an essential part of the community, and many people rely on organisations and charities to provide this. By volunteering you are ensuring that people have a veterinary clinic and a veterinary professional to visit, to ensure they can keep their pet in good health and seek veterinary attention if needed.
Reason 4: Travel the world
Volunteering is not just about giving back, but also about exploring the world. This is a great way to experience new cultures and visit beautiful locations. Mixing volunteering with exploring means you can have an adventure of a lifetime, whilst making a difference. Alongside the crucial work you will be doing, you can soak in new cultures, explore beautiful beaches and national parks, and see diverse wildlife firsthand.
“Not only was the voluntary work an amazing, rewarding and unforgettable experience, but it was also made even better by the fact that we were surrounded by so much interesting wildlife, beautiful beaches and countryside.” Clare and Sally, Galápagos Animal Doctors, Ecuador
Reason 5: Supporting amazing organisations
There are so many organisations around the world who are doing amazing work to provide care and treatment to animals. For these charities, volunteers are a lifeline as they ensure that they can continue to provide shelter, loving care and expert veterinary treatment to animals. Many communities rely heavily on organisations to make sure their pets remain in good health, and it’s through wonderful people who volunteer that these vital services can continue. By contributing to a project as a paying volunteer, you are supporting the programme itself, and ensuring it is beneficial to the community it serves long term.
Reason 6: Building connections
Volunteering is a great way to meet likeminded people, from fellow volunteers who are also offering their time to support animals, to the team at the organisation who will be very grateful for your support. You can build connections and create a sense of community with people who share your passion. Through volunteering abroad, you will also form connections with the local community who will likely be thankful for your support and share their culture with you.
Reason 7: Share your skills and expertise
As a veterinary professional, not only can you provide immediate veterinary care, but you can also empower veterinary communities and raise the standard of care. For many regions around the world, they lack access to quality training for veterinary professionals. By volunteering you can share your skills and expertise with veterinary students and professionals and provide vital training opportunities. This will create lasting impact on veterinary professionals and promote long-lasting improvements in animal welfare.
“It wasn’t just about providing veterinary care, as volunteers we can really make a difference mentoring and supporting young Malawian vets and vet students within the clinic and hopefully leaving a little bit of a legacy.” Ian, WVS Malawi.
What our volunteers said about their experience:
“You will feel immensely satisfied on your return home, you will have new friends and new experiences in your memory box. You will also be counting down the days till next time.” Debbie, WVS Tanzania project.
“This experience has changed everything about us. We know that even when we move on from here, we will always return.” Annie and Paul, WVS Thailand.
“My advice for anyone thinking about volunteering is to MAKE IT HAPPEN! I have learnt so much, professionally and personally, after my time at PASH, and every other volunteer trip.” Faye, Pacific Animal Shelter and Hospital (PASH), Fiji
Join the mission to create a brighter future for animals
We have a lot of volunteering opportunities to choose from, some of them are WVS projects and others are with our amazing charity partners. Browse all of our current opportunities here. We understand that volunteering abroad can be a big time and financial commitment, which is why we have opportunities for different budgets and time frames. Most of our volunteering projects only require a commitment of two weeks, making it flexible to fit in with a busy schedule.
Hear more from some of our volunteers
Read our blog to hear about veterinary nurses Debbie and Kasia experience volunteering on our sterilisation and rabies vaccination project in Tanzania. Sally (veterinary nurse) and her sister Clare (vet) volunteered at our Galápagos Animal Doctors clinic, hear from Sally about their experience. Vet Jack volunteer in our clinic in Malawi, read about his experience.
If you have any questions view our Volunteering FAQs or contact us at training@mail.volunteer.wvs.org.uk.