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Animal Care in Egypt

Animal Care in Egypt

Purpose
Care for abandoned animals
Start dates
Programs start every Monday
Duration
Choose from 1-12 weeks
Volunteer hours
Up to 5 hours of a day
Age
Volunteers ages 18+
Accommodation
Volunteer apartments
Apply for free
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Who is going?
Group video calls

Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.

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This program is ideal for:

Volunteers who are patient and have a love for animals. No experience is needed; however, volunteers will need to be prepared for there to be difficult and emotionally challenging cases.

Project details

IVHQ’s Animal Care project in Cairo gives volunteers the chance to support the well-being of dogs, donkeys, and horses in need. Volunteers assist with cleaning, grooming, exercise, and general care to help these animals stay healthy and improve their chances of finding a new home.

What to expect and how you'll make an impact

Many animals in shelters have been abandoned or were born on the streets and have never had a home.

In Cairo, you can help abandoned dogs, donkeys, and horses at local non-profit sanctuaries. These safe havens provide the necessary care for the animals’ well-being. For dogs, the ultimate goal is adoption into loving homes, while donkeys and horses ideally move to farms, if possible.

The Animal Care program involves diverse tasks and can be emotionally demanding due to the animals’ backgrounds, which may include accidents, neglect, or abuse. Adaptability, patience, and an open mind are crucial, as local work practices may differ from those in your home country. Daily tasks will vary based on your placement and current needs but may include:

Horse and Donkey Sanctuary:

  • Feeding
  • Cleaning enclosures and stables
  • General maintenance
  • Bathing and grooming
  • Assisting with veterinary care arrangements
  • Veterinarian volunteers can assist with treatment
  • Contributing to communication, social media, marketing, and fundraising

Dog Sanctuary:

  • Helping with dog care
  • Playing and socializing to aid rehabilitation
  • Cleaning enclosures and kennels
  • General maintenance
  • Walking dogs
  • Assisting with basic medical care (flea/tick drops, vaccinations)
  • Bathing and grooming (many have never been groomed)
  • Veterinarian volunteers can assist with vet care, vaccinations, and sterilization events
  • Contributing to communication, social media, marketing, and fundraising

The dog sanctuary also houses a few cats and other animals that volunteers can help care for daily.

Please note: The work can be both rewarding and emotionally challenging, so be prepared for a meaningful but sometimes difficult experience. When applying you will need to specify if you prefer to work at the dog shelter or at the horse and donkey shelter There is an additional one off US$70 surcharge to cover resources at your volunteer placement such as food, vaccinations, and medical treatment. This is included in your Program Fee, which will be detailed in your Acceptance Email.

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #15: Life on Land

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #15: Life on Land

Human activity has altered almost 75% of the earth’s surface and around 1 million animal and plant species are threatened with extinction. Nature is critical to our survival. We must promote kindness to animals and use regenerative techniques to combat deforestation, conserve biodiversity and protect wildlife.

Why do Animal Care volunteering in Egypt with IVHQ?

Volunteer at animal shelters to give love and attention to abandoned animals. This project offers invaluable support to sanctuaries while fostering personal and professional growth through:

  • Assisting in the care and re-homing of animals.
  • Enhancing communication skills.
  • Gaining practical animal care experience.
  • Immersing yourself in Egyptian culture.
  • Discovering Cairo and Egypt.

Volunteer requirements

Volunteers must be 18 years or older to participate in this program. If you are under 18, IVHQ offers alternative volunteer opportunities for teens. Visit our High School Volunteer Abroad to explore these options

Volunteers are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ before departure.

All volunteers must speak English and have adequate volunteer travel insurance.

Are you eligible to volunteer?

Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.

Apply for free

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'Who is going' users image
Who is going?
Group video calls

Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.

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Academic course credit

Academic course credit through International Volunteer HQ and Intern Abroad HQ.

Academic course credit

Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!

Learn about course credit

Location

A guide leads three tourists on camels across the desert sands in front of the ancient pyramids of Giza in Egypt under a partly cloudy sky.

Location

Cairo, Egypt’s historic capital, boasts the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and the Egyptian Museum, offering a captivating mix of ancient wonders and modern life. Beyond typical tourist experiences, its lively streets, traditional markets, and the Nile River provide an immersive cultural experience.

Despite Egypt’s rich heritage and growing economy in some areas, many communities still struggle with limited access to education, healthcare, and animal welfare. Volunteers are crucial in supporting local efforts to improve living standards and provide essential aid. Located in and around Cairo, volunteer opportunities allow participants to make a real difference while experiencing the city’s vibrant culture.

Arrival and orientation

All Egypt volunteer projects start on the first and third Saturday of each month. Participants must arrive in Cairo the Friday before their selected start date.

After registering, book flights to Cairo International Airport (CAI). Airport pickup is included in the program fee. Upon arrival, a driver will meet you and transport you to the volunteer accommodation, approximately 45 minutes away (depending on traffic). This accommodation, covered by the program fee, includes the night before the mandatory full-day orientation on Saturday.

If you are already in Egypt, pickup from a central Cairo meeting point can be arranged for the Friday before your program begins.

The Saturday orientation, led by the local team in Cairo, covers essential information for your volunteer experience: an introduction to Cairo, local customs, rules, expectations, safety guidelines, travel opportunities within Egypt, and an overview of your specific project and placement. This session also provides an opportunity to connect with fellow volunteers.

Volunteer schedule example

First Day

On the first day of the volunteering placement, you will be escorted to the project by our local staff and introduced to the staff at the placement you will be working with.

Weekdays

You can expect to work a minimum of 3 hours, Sunday through Thursday. A typical day would be as follows:

8:00 AM Breakfast at the volunteer apartment.
9:00 AM Volunteers travel to placement to join local placement staff and begin work on your project.
12:00 - 2:30 PM Lunch is served at the volunteer apartment.
7:30 - 9:00 PM Dinner at the volunteer apartment. After dinner you will have the remainder of the evening free to relax and use as you wish.

Weekends

In Egypt, the work week runs from Sunday to Thursday, with Friday and Saturday considered the weekend. During the weekends, volunteers have spare time to relax or ​explore other parts of Cairo and Egypt. Cairo is home to some of Egypt’s most iconic landmarks, including the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and the Nile River.

Beyond Cairo, Egypt is home to a wealth of incredible attractions further afield, including Luxor & The Valley of the Kings, Aswan & Abu Simbel, The White Desert, Alexandria, Siwa Oasis, The Red Sea Riviera, Mount Sinai & St. Catherine’s Monastery.

Beyond Cairo’s famous attractions, Egypt offers a wealth of history, adventure, and natural beauty. To make the most of your trip, consider planning and pre-booking excursions to these sites through IVHQ. Contact us or your IVHQ Program Manager for more information and to secure your bookings for these unique Egyptian experiences.

Accommodation and WiFi

You’ll be hosted in an apartment with other volunteers and you can expect to share a room with up to 3 other volunteers of the same gender.

Living is basic yet comfortable, and has electricity and running water. Bedding is provided, but it is recommended that you bring your own sleeping bag if you wish to travel on the weekends, along with a towel and toiletries.

WiFi is available in the apartment. To keep connected when out and about, you can also purchase a local SIM card with data for an unlocked mobile phone. The local team can assist you with this.

Meals

Volunteers receive daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner (Sunday to Thursday) at their accommodation. Breakfast and dinner are lighter meals featuring mixed platters with items like falafel, dips, beans, bread, eggs, and fresh produce. Lunch is the main meal, and both lunch and dinner include a variety of meats, breads, rice dishes, salads, and vegetables.

On weekends, volunteers can either use provided basic supplies to prepare their own meals or eat at nearby local restaurants.

Bottled water is easily accessible in Cairo, and a suggested budget is $10 per week for two liters daily. Please inform us of any special dietary needs when applying so we can accommodate them.

Pricing

  • USD

Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$299 (approximately $299) you secure your spot and unlock all our preparation and training tools.

You don't need to worry about paying your Program Fee until you get closer to your start date.

Duration
Program Fee
Due 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
  • USD
1 week $799 Equivalent to $114/day
2 weeks $1,089 Equivalent to $78/day
3 weeks $1,379 Equivalent to $66/day
4 weeks $1,669 Equivalent to $60/day
5 weeks $1,959 Equivalent to $56/day
6 weeks $2,249 Equivalent to $54/day
8 weeks $2,829 Equivalent to $51/day
10 weeks $3,409 Equivalent to $49/day
12 weeks $3,989 Equivalent to $47/day
  • All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$299 (approximately $299) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
  • A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
  • Weekday (Sunday to Thursday) meals and basic meals supplies on weekends
  • Airport pick-up
  • One-off US$70 surcharge to cover placement resources (e.g. food, vaccinations, medical treatment).
  • Accommodation
  • 24/7 in-country emergency support
  • In-country program orientation
  • Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
  • Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
  • Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
  • Comprehensive in-country day to day support and guidance
  • Certificate of International Volunteer Service

Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.

  • Flights
  • Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
  • Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.

Affordable Arabic language lessons

  • 10, 20, 30 and 40 hour packages available

How to book IVHQ’s language lessons: Once you’ve paid your registration fee, you will be able to select language lessons as an “Add-on” via your MyIVHQ profile.

Check what's required to visit Egypt

Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important you monitor this right up until you depart for your trip.

Safety and support

A smiling volunteer traveller wearing a traditional Andean poncho stands in front of the breathtaking Rainbow Mountain in Peru. The landscape features vibrant red, yellow, and green hues across the mountains, with a small lake visible in the background.

Safety and support

IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.

  • All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
  • All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
  • All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
  • All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Learn more about IVHQ's safety

Essential country information

Essential country information

Capital Cairo
Population 10.2 million
Languages Egyptian Arabic
Currency Egyptian pound (EGP)
Time zone GMT+3

Weather and climate: Egypt has an arid, desert climate and the weather in Cairo is always warm, or hot, and the nights cool as it has a subtropical-desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. Summer temperatures can reach the high 30s Celsius (86-95°F), especially in July and August, while winter temperatures average around 18°C (64°F). The city experiences occasional dust storms in March and April.

Apply to check if you're eligible!

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How to get started

Pick a destination + project and apply for free
Meet your personal volunteer travel expert
Pay the Registration Fee to secure your place and upgrade your MyIVHQ account
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