Wildlife & Animal Care Volunteer Abroad Programs
Do you want to volunteer with animals abroad or play a pivotal role in preserving wildlife around the world? International Volunteer HQ’s Wildlife volunteer opportunities and Animal Care programs allow volunteers to support local initiatives that protect endangered species, preserve their natural environment and help improve the quality of life for abandoned or rescued animals.
IVHQ offers affordable, life-enriching animal conservation volunteering programs in premier destinations across Africa, Europe, Asia, Central America, North America, South America, the Caribbean and the Pacific.
By volunteering with animals and wildlife, you’ll play an important role in helping protect some of Earth’s most treasured species, from wild elephants and white rhinos to wolves and beloved dogs and cats.
- Choose from 35 Wildlife and Animal Care programs across 24 destinations worldwide
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Suited to animal lovers who are active and enjoy being outdoors
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Provide hands-on care in animal shelters or support wildlife conservation efforts
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Learn about animal behavior and conservation techniques from local experts
Why do Wildlife or Animal volunteering with IVHQ?
What to expect: Animal shelter volunteering vs wildlife conservation
IVHQ has a range of different animal conservation volunteering opportunities available year-round, so whether you’re looking to support local wildlife reserves or participate in hands-on animal shelter volunteering, we have something suitable for you.
For those interested in interacting directly with animals, you can join one of our animal shelter volunteer projects in South America, Central America, Africa or Europe. Here, you’ll be volunteering in local cat and dog rescue centres, providing support in feeding, caring for, and playing with these animals.
If you are looking for veterinary volunteer abroad opportunities, we have top rated Veterinary volunteer programs available in Tanzania and Jamaica where you can assist with vaccinations, treatments, examinations and more.
Our wildlife volunteer opportunities focus on education, observation and protection. You’ll be able to preserve natural habitats, learn about wildlife conservation and study animal behavior. Programs range from Wolf Conservation in Portugal to Wildlife Conservation in South Africa and Victoria Falls.
Alternatively, If you’re looking to protect life below water, IVHQ offers Sea Turtle & Marine Conservation volunteer opportunities across a wide range of destinations, including Belize, Costa Rica, Spain, Zanzibar and more!
Best Animal Care & Wildlife volunteer opportunities abroad
Galapagos Islands
Giant Tortoise Conservation in Galapagos Islands
Program Fees from AU$2407 for 2 weeks
Galapagos Islands
Sea Turtle Nest Monitoring in Galapagos Islands
Program Fees from AU$2407 for 2 weeks
Showing 12 of 35 projects
Why volunteer with animals abroad?
Around 1 million animal and plant species are threatened with extinction on Earth. As habitats are damaged and more species become endangered due to human activity, it’s our responsibility to take action to protect wildlife around the world.
Wildlife volunteering abroad is an impactful way to ensure animals and their habitats are protected and cared for, for years to come. As an animal conservation volunteer, your efforts will help support the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal #15: Life On Land.
Domestic animals such as cats and dogs face a different set of challenges altogether. These vulnerable creatures are oftentimes abandoned by their owners and held in under-resourced centres that cannot provide them with proper care and support. By volunteering in animal shelters, you’ll help rehabilitate injured and stray animals so they can be placed in a new, loving home.
Looking for the best Wildlife Conservation volunteer programs for 2024 & 2025? Read our guide!
Read reviews from IVHQ volunteers
”I volunteered on the Animal Care project in Guatemala and it was definitely suitable to what I wanted to do. My experience there was amazing and I wouldn't have changed it one bit. Each day that I spent at the shelter, I felt as though I was helping and making a difference and that everything I was doing was being greatly appreciated. Being able to experience how another country lives, especially a country like Guatemala was an eye opening experience for sure. Realizing that these people live with so little, yet are so thankful and happy with what they have was so humbling and life changing. Thank you IVHQ for giving me the opportunity to experience one of the best trips of my life.”
Alexis Khoshaba, Canadian, 20
Animal Care/Animal Rights volunteer in Guatemala
