Animal Welfare Volunteer Programs Abroad

Maximo Nivel is a locally based organization in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru. Volunteer abroad—get involved, make an impact, and learn to serve by working on local projects: - Working with Kids - Teaching English - Conservation - Construction - Animal Care - Eco-Agriculture - Medical and Healthcare To qualify: - Volunteers must be 18+ years of age or accompanied by a parent or guardian. - We require background checks from our volunteers. - Come with a great attitude and a willingness to pitch in. Since 2003, Maximo Nivel has been a leader in educational travel and study abroad. Our work-study-travel programs host more than 4,000 people per year. We are a professional, ethical, and hard-working organization that is completely dedicated to providing a great experience to every participant, student, traveler, and client! Every day, we strive to set ourselves apart and provide the best volunteer, education, and cultural experiences in Latin America, along with top-notch client service and great home-based facilities. Live it!

The Intern Group provides you with top internships in London! Partnering with a range of great companies and NGOs, our London internship program will fulfill your career potential. We are regularly featured in mainstream international media like CNN International. Apply now to intern in the greatest city in the world and propel your career development! Visit The Intern Group's website to get all the details!

Explore the dream destinations of South Africa, France, and Thailand on a comprehensive 6-month journey. Experience an exceptional blend of cultural immersion, wildlife conservation, and community involvement. You'll start your journey by contributing to wildlife conservation in South Africa amidst the Big 5 conservation area. Next, you'll hop on to France where you will immerse yourself in French culture and language during an unforgettable summer in Loire Valley, studying at one of the country's oldest universities. Finally, venture to your third country - Thailand - where you will volunteer as an English teacher in the scenic Hua Hin island. The entire experience offers invaluable cultural insights, skill development, and lifelong memories; igniting passions for social and environmental causes as you embark on a journey toward becoming a dedicated global citizen effecting positive change.

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. With 300+ projects in 40+ destinations, IVHQ offers the widest selection of volunteer programs globally—from Teaching and Childcare to Wildlife Conservation, Medical Outreach, and Environmental Sustainability. Since 2007, IVHQ has supported over 147,000 volunteers on life-changing journeys. We specialize in fully-hosted volunteer trips that are safe, affordable, and accessible—starting from just $20 per day. Your experience includes airport pick-up, accommodation, meals, and round-the-clock support from our local teams. With flexible booking options and no change fees, planning your volunteer adventure has never been easier. Our programs run year-round and are available for 1 to 24 weeks across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, South and Central America, North America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Volunteering with IVHQ is about more than giving back—it’s about growing, learning, and building genuine global connections.

Volunteer at the Galápagos National Park and get the chance to assist at the tortoise breeding center. You will be a member of the research and zookeeping staff. Take responsibility for taking care of and measuring the shells of tortoises for their growth charts, as well as informing tourists of rules and regulations and other necessary tasks at the center, depending on individual skillset. Requirements for this program are: - Basic to intermediate level of Spanish - A genuine passion for animal conservation - An ability to openly communicate rules and regulations to tourists and follow instructions - Ability to work independently as well as in a team - Physical ability to work outdoors with a potentially high allergen, sun, and temperature exposure IOI encourages all volunteers to stay as long as possible to maximize local and personal benefits. We encourage longer commitments by heavily discounting each additional week. The minimum stay is two weeks, with a maximum stay of three months. All volunteers must arrive in Isabela on Mondays.

A Raleigh South Africa Expedition is your chance for Adventure. In the stunning Kruger region, you have the chance to take action on some of the world's most pertinent issues through immersive Community projects, and impactful Environmental work. Through our life-changing Adventure Leadership Trek you will develop skills and experiences that will last a lifetime. What are you waiting for? The Greater Kruger area is located between Mozambique, Eswatini, and the world-famous Kruger National Park itself. In comparison to Cape Town, this area encapsulates Africa at its heart, not to mention boasting year-round sunshine. It is a wildlife haven with natural beauty unlike anywhere else in the world. You'll most likely spot plenty of wildlife while you're on our environmental project and trek. You'll be with experienced guides if you're in areas with any of the big 5. Whether you are taking a gap year or want to do something meaningful in your summer, join young volunteers from across the world and a community of thousands of Raleigh Alumni.

The volunteer program at Instituto Hemingway is a unique opportunity to live and work in Spain from the perspective of locals. At the same time, you will build a cultural bridge between Spain and your country of origin while giving back to a community. Beach Cleanup Support this project by setting a good example and encouraging people to get involved in protecting the local environment through simple actions, such as collecting their rubbish after a day on the beach. Work together to keep the waters healthy and nature green! Animal Shelter Contribute in a number of ways to stop the abuse and neglect of animals. At the same time, provide hands-on care to animals in need. The need for adequate care and education among the public in and around the area is huge. Social Entrepreneurship This project offers volunteers hands-on experience as well as the opportunity to help behind the scenes with administrative tasks including social media, fundraising and promotional efforts, sourcing new alliances, and drafting maps. Teaching English to Disadvantaged Children You can contribute to the education of growing children. Make a significant impact in their lives.

Our exciting Endurance Training Programme based at Moolmanshoek, with over 240 horses, is waiting for you! Ideal for those passionate to learn about the sport, whether you are a seasoned professional, or you’ve never experienced an endurance race – this is a great adventure for intermediate plus and advanced riders. You'll train intensively across breathtaking landscapes, testing both mind and body. Under the mentorship of Wiesman Nel, an internationally acclaimed endurance rider, you'll learn the intricacies of the sport and prepare for competitions. Whether you aim to compete internationally or simply wish to experience endurance riding in South Africa, this program offers an unparalleled opportunity for growth, adventure, and bonding with exceptional Arab Endurance horses. Intermediate plus and advanced riding abilities accepted.

Visit two of South America’s most iconic countries—Peru and Ecuador—and discover the lost lands of the Incas! Start your adventure in South America with intensive Spanish lessons, then step up the adventure with an epic trek across the Andes to Machu Picchu on the remote Salkantay route—over icy mountain passes and through mysterious cloud forests to the remains of a fallen civilization. Then, it's time to explore Ecuador's natural beauty. From surfing and whitewater rafting to hiking and exploring volcanoes, Ecuador has it all! For your second project, you will spend three weeks deep in the Ecuadorian rainforest and complete vital conservation work. Get face-to-face and hand-to-paw with rainforest inhabitants while volunteering at a rescue center for wild animals. And learn the secrets of life in the rainforest directly from an Indigenous community while staying at an eco-lodge. Finish your epic journey with a visit to one of the most famous national parks on Earth, the Galapagos Islands! Hike, sail, and snorkel your way around the islands made famous by Charles Darwin. You will then return to Quito for the final trek to the center of the world!

Be part of a conservation team in Zimbabwe during this exciting wildlife research internship! You'll be based in a stunning nature reserve close to Victoria Falls, where you'll collect data on a number of wildlife species, including big cats, elephants, and giraffes. Your work will be part of a larger program focused on the conservation of wildlife and their habitat. It's an exciting opportunity to gain experience in the field. You'll be based in a tented camp in a beautiful nature estate. You'll be a 20-minute drive from the famous Victoria Falls, and the welcoming town next to the falls. During time off, you'll be able to see the falls, do boat trips on the Zambezi River, or do some of the many other activities that are on offer. This internship has a minimum of 8 weeks, and regular start dates. To join, you'll ideally be in an advantaged stage of a relevant degree. You'll need to have a flexible attitude and great attention to detail.

Join us in Osa, Costa Rica, for an unforgettable volunteer experience where you’ll play a vital role in protecting sea turtles and their habitats. Nestled on the stunning Osa Peninsula, home to 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity, you’ll patrol pristine beaches, safeguard turtle nests, and release hatchlings into the wild. Beyond conservation, you’ll engage with the local community, help with environmental education, and explore breathtaking rainforests, waterfalls, and vibrant wildlife. Live at the heart of nature in our rustic jungle camp and make a tangible impact while creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Help preserve the famous Big 5 safari reserve, seeing a side of Phinda that many tourists don’t get to experience. Become part of the main research team, helping to manage thriving populations of rhinos, elephants, lions, cheetahs, pangolins, and more. Observing these animals in their natural habitat, you will study their behavior and population dynamics and map their movements to build a database of territories. With the critical rhino population and growing cheetah population, you must source this information and share it with the specialists, so the perfect balance of species can be maintained. Working alongside experts in the field, you will be involved with Phinda’s wildlife relocation program moving species such as lions and antelopes, the contraceptive program that works to balance the population of elephants and predators, and assisting in humane rhino horn trimming—an effective anti-poaching strategy. This constant research and monitoring is a balancing game, and you will be directly involved in all aspects, playing a meaningful role in the wildlife conservation efforts and learning about the ecology, biology, and behavior of Phinda’s wildlife.

Experience the power of visual storytelling during this unique humanitarian photography program in a town just outside Cape Town—Stellenbosch, South Africa. As a photographer on this program, you'll learn how to document the work of local nonprofit organizations effectively, and you'll put that knowledge into practice during photographic assignments. You'll be tutored by a professional humanitarian photographer with extensive experience and a deep passion for nonprofit photography. Through personal guidance, you'll be sure to grow both in skill and confidence as a photographer. This workshop is a wonderful way to make an impact through your lens and experience South Africa in a unique way. During your stay in Stellenbosch, your accommodation, transport, and meals will be taken care of. You'll be based in a comfortable lodge in the city center, allowing you to easily explore some of the many highlights Stellenbosch and Cape Town have to offer. To qualify for this NGO photography program, you'll need to have basic camera skills and some photographic experience. The workshop runs several times a year, and you can join us for 2 to 4 weeks.

The Sibuya Wilderness Experience welcomes participants from all walks of life. Volunteers, adventure-seeking travelers, gap year students, adults taking work sabbaticals... Anyone with a passion for nature conservation. This is the perfect Eco Volunteer Program if you are looking for a meaningful travel opportunity abroad that puts your passion for nature, environment, and wildlife to good use, trying to make a difference. Our unique itinerary runs on a two-week program, wherein the content is only covered twice in a month, making a four-week stay the perfect getaway to experience everything at least twice. Nowhere else in South Africa is a volunteer itinerary this diverse.

We believe that everyone can contribute to conservation efforts, and therefore, our vision is to empower ordinary people to protect nature. The key is not "to do" but to "live it" actively. By creating this kind of lifestyle, we fulfill our purpose of helping humans and nature to live together in harmony. The foundation is a starting point; we empower you to live a conservation lifestyle for a better tomorrow. If you're looking to actively participate in African wildlife conservation in a fun, safe, stable, and stunning environment, Buffelsdrift Game Lodge is the perfect place. Although this may sound similar to many other proudly South African volunteering projects, our dream for every person we encounter is to have a lifestyle change toward thinking and living conservation. We want your time at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge to be the experience of a lifetime, one that changes your life! We aim to empower ordinary people (people like you!) to protect nature by creating a conservation lifestyle upon your return home.

Join VWI as a volunteer and help care for elephants in Heritage City—Jaipur, India. Support the local community in taking care of these elephants and their mahouts. Volunteers will help mahouts to feeding the elephants, bathing them, cleaning the area, bringing water, oil massaging the elephants head, trimming their nails, taking elephants for walk, make bundles of hay and chapati(Indian Roti) for elephants in a mud stove to eat. You will work around 3-4 hours per day everyday in morning and in the afternoon twice a week to make chapati's for Elephants to eat. Elephant mahouts are living with their families at the project site and are responsible to give right care, fed properly & keep them healthy and fit. The program is located in the village near Amber Fort which is also known as Elephant Village. where elephants get care by their mahouts everyday. It is also one of Elephant Sanctuary in India. Elephant Village Jaipur is India’s first and the world’s third elephant village also known as “Haathi Gaon“. The area is spread in 30 hectares of land; it has stable blocks for each elephants with attached housing; it also a big man-made lake for elephants to swim and washed down.

The lively beach town of Santa Teresa in Costa Rica is world famous for surf breaks across pristine, uncrowded, and seemingly endless beaches. After surfing and sunbathing are over for the day, it's time for Spanish lessons and volunteering! – The town comes alive with funky surf shops, cafes, restaurants, and nightspots for every taste and budget. Your experience will be based at ‘Jakera Jungle Surf Camp’, where we have created a jungle paradise complete with a swimming pool overlooked by a rich tropical forest bursting with wildlife, including red squirrels, howler monkeys, and tiny magical hummingbirds. We are a 5-minute walk from the cool cafes, bars, and shops that line the 6km stretch of road and beach that make up Playa Santa Teresa/Playa El Carmen. Throughout the volunteer projects – approximately 20 percent of your time will be turtle conservation – you’ll assist in preserving precious ecosystems and help local people raise their quality of life. However, there is still free time to enjoy a great social life and participate in the many other activities to be enjoyed here.