I feel like I gained a very positive experience that I’ll take away with me and keep forever. The people I met were absolutely amazing and I’ll miss them all and keep our memories forever. I learnt that you really don’t need a lot to be happy and sometimes having not much at all is actually better. Their way or life is so simple and innocent and it really makes you look back at your life and how busy and fast paced it is, but for what ? I would say to anyone that’s hesitant to join, to just join. You can always make more money, but you can’t make more time and I think it’s so important to get out there and experience different cultures and getting out of your comfort zone. Go open minded and don’t have an expectations, just immerse yourself in and take in the amazing experiences. You won’t regret it.
Animal Care Volunteer Project in Thailand - Chiang Rai
Purpose
Start dates
Duration
Volunteer hours
Age
Accommodation
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.
This program is ideal for:
Project details
Want to do your part to care for abandoned dogs and cats in Thailand? International Volunteer HQ’s Animal Care project is a chance for volunteers to care for these neglected, lost and/or injured animals in Chiang Rai. Volunteers gain experience caring for animals, including helping keep animals active and healthy so they have a better chance of finding a new home. Please note that the work can sometimes be difficult and emotionally challenging, so please be prepared for this.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
As an Animal Care volunteer in Thailand, you will assist the local staff to support the welfare and protection of abandoned dogs and cats in a local gated garden. The garden provides a natural environment in which dogs and cats can be free, while also protected, and aims to make sure that the animals are happy and healthy. The goal is for the animals to get adopted into loving homes or be returned to their owners.
The Animal Care program has a broad range of work. Please keep in mind that it can be very difficult and emotionally challenging, so you will need to be prepared to be working with animals that may have been neglected or abused.
At times, local working methods can be different to what you are used to in your home country. As such, flexibility, patience, and a desire to understand is essential.
Daily tasks can include, but are not limited to:
- Feeding the dogs and cats (including strays)
- Playing and socializing with the animals
- Cleaning cages and kennels
- General maintenance of the garden
- Assisting with basic medical treatments, such as flea/tick drops and vaccinations
- Animal bathing and grooming
- Case research, review, and transfer to vet for assessment/treatment
- Community working, including grooming and bathing clinics, applying flea and tick drops
- Supporting vaccination and sterilization events
- Contributing to communication / marketing, and social media campaigns for events
- Contributing to fundraising campaigns for specific cases or events
Please note:
- Volunteers on the Animal Care project will be joining a residential placement, i.e. volunteers will be accommodated at the placement.
- There is an additional US$50 per week surcharge to cover resources such as: animal food, vaccinations and medical treatment of the animals. This is included in your Program Fee that will be quoted to you in your Acceptance Email.
Why do Animal Care volunteering in Chiang Rai with IVHQ?
When you volunteer at this animal shelter in Thailand, you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Helping care for and re-home abandoned animals
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining experience caring for animals
- Immersing yourself in Thai culture
- Discovering the amazing, natural environment of Chiang Rai
Volunteer requirements
- Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program and may be asked to provide additional documentation to the local team
- All volunteers aged 13+ are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure. Those aged 13-17, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead
- All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
- All volunteers must speak fluent English.
This project is currently not accepting applications.
Check out this similar project in Cambodia
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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.
Thailand photo gallery
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
Before volunteering, I felt like I am not developing my soft skills and was living my life aimlessly. So from this program, I gained communication skills, passion, sympathy and motivation to work hard. To anyone who hesitates to join this program, JOIN! You will be warmly welcomed by the staff and you will definitely enjoy your time like me.
I gained lots of information about a new culture.
The opportunity to work with children has been incredibly precious to me. Experiencing the local lifestyle was eye-opening and completely new, challenging but extremely enriching. As someone used to a Western lifestyle, volunteering in Thailand offered unique challenges and rewards. It taught me the values of gratitude, love, and simplicity. For anyone hesitant about joining this program, I would say that while it may be challenging, the benefits far outweigh the difficulties. You’ll gain invaluable experiences and a deeper appreciation for different cultures.
From this experience, I feel I gained a better understanding of a way of life that I learned was not so different from my own. Going in, I was expecting everything to be different about everyday life. What I came to realize is that everyone is far more similar to each other than they are different. That was a very cool thing for me to discover and I think validates the idea of being nice to anyone and everyone.
The advice I would give to someone hesitant about joining this program would be to try to become comfortable with letting yourself relax. If coming from a Western upbringing and culture like me it can be easy to get swept up in the little things going on in your life. Stress and a sense of urgency become a normalized routine that eventually leads to unhappiness and burnout. Going on this trip taught me a more laid-back lifestyle that I loved. Learning to incorporate time for unwinding and relaxation is an important lesson that you don't want to miss out on learning!
To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
Academic course credit
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 creditLocation
Location
Chiang Rai is a city in the northernmost province of Thailand renowned for its beautiful mountain scenery, historic sites and authentic Thai atmosphere. It’s a great spot for those wanting to get off the beaten path and experience Thailand in a more relaxed manner than you might do in the bustling capital city of Bangkok or the popular islands of the south.
While Thailand is considered a reasonably well-developed country with low rates of extreme poverty and unemployment, there is an enormous socio-economic disparity between the wealthy and the rest of the population. Volunteers provide valuable assistance with improving conditions for low-income communities and contribute to local initiatives that help Thailand continue to develop and reduce inequalities. Volunteer placements are located near the volunteer headquarters in Chiang Rai and in the hills with local hill tribes.
Arrival and orientation
The Thailand volunteer program begins on the first and third Monday of each month, and you need to arrive in Chiang Rai before 5pm on Monday.
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI). Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee.
When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the volunteer accommodation a short drive from Chiang Rai. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night of your program orientation.
If you are travelling in Thailand prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up from a meeting point in Chiang Rai at 11am on the Monday morning.
On Monday, you’ll spend the day resting, meeting other volunteers and the local team. Orientation is hosted by our local team at the office in Chiang Rai. Orientation begins on the Tuesday morning after your chosen start date and runs for the entire day. Orientation covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Thailand – an introduction to Thailand, Thai customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities in Thailand, and an introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socialising.
Volunteer schedule example
Weekdays: A volunteer day is subject to change depending on your particular project and placement and the time of year that you are volunteering. A typical daily schedule might be as follows:
| 8:00 AM | Breakfast at the volunteer accommodation |
| 8:30 AM | Morning meeting for all volunteers |
| 9:00 - 11:30 AM | Volunteer work begins. Work and hours are dependent on the project and placement that each volunteer is working at. Lunch breaks vary in time depending on the working schedule, but all volunteers get an hour to eat and relax |
| 1:00 PM | Volunteer work continues |
| 5:00 PM | Dinner at the volunteer accommodation |
| 6:00 PM | Volunteers have free time to spend as they wish; however, many volunteers use this time to plan lessons or do extra work for their projects |
Weekends: During the weekends, volunteers have spare time and usually just relax or take the opportunity to explore other parts of Chiang Rai and Thailand.
In Chiang Rai alone you can visit Wat Rong Khun, the breathtakingly ornate White Temple; see Wat Phra Kaew, the original home of the famous Emerald Buddha which now resides in Bangkok; or do some shopping and sample the fabulous food at the daily Night Bazaar or at the Walking Street Market during the weekend where a whole street closes to traffic to accommodate stalls and stands. It’s also a great place to go cycling, take a hike or learn about the region’s long and rich history and diverse culture.
Other parts of Thailand offer spectacular scenery and wildlife, phenomenal beaches and an amazing selection of adventure and relaxation activities
Accommodation and WiFi
You will be staying in a volunteer house that is located at the Animal Care placement. The accommodation has a living room area with Wi-Fi, an electric shower, and a kitchen with a microwave, fridge, and cooker for volunteers to use.
The bedrooms can hold up to 5 volunteers of the same gender. There is a combination of traditional Thai mattresses which are usually placed on the floor, and standard Western-style beds (subject to availability). Volunteers will have to use a laundry service, either close to the volunteer house or in the main city center.
There is the option of a overnight at a homestay with a local family, which is a great cultural experience. If you’re staying 2 weeks or less, you may choose to do this on your first week. For those staying longer, the homestay is arranged on the Friday of your 2nd week - there is no additional cost for this.
Meals
Traditional Thai cuisine is designed to appeal to the four fundamental taste senses with a balance of sour, sweet, salty, and bitter flavors. Common ingredients in Thai cooking include fish sauce, shrimp paste, chili paste, coconut milk, and lime juice. Staple foods include rice, rice noodles, vegetables, and herbs. Food served at the volunteer accommodation during the weekdays are typically hill tribe and Thai style meals; however, Western style food is also served occasionally.
During the weekends, food is not provided and volunteers purchase food at local shops and cook for themselves, or eat in town. If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know when you apply for the program so we can make arrangements for you.
Pricing
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$299 (approximately £253) 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 FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 1 week | $505 Equivalent to $72/day |
| 2 weeks | $635 Equivalent to $45/day |
| 3 weeks | $785 Equivalent to $37/day |
| 4 weeks | $965 Equivalent to $34/day |
| 5 weeks | $1,135 Equivalent to $32/day |
| 6 weeks | $1,295 Equivalent to $31/day |
| 8 weeks | $1,625 Equivalent to $29/day |
| 10 weeks | $1,985 Equivalent to $28/day |
| 12 weeks | $2,345 Equivalent to $28/day |
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$299 (approximately £253) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Thailand generally find US$30-50 per week to be sufficient for expenses.
- Some meals - please see the 'Meals' section of the project page to understand what meals are included
- Airport pick-up
- Return to the airport or bus terminal when your program finishes, if you are departing between 1PM and 4PM
- Return to the bus terminal when your program finishes, if you are departing after 4PM
- Transport to and from your accommodation and volunteer placement each day
- US$50 per week to cover the additional materials required on the project
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country emergency support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Personalised 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.
- Some meals - please see the 'Meals' section of the project page to understand what meals are excluded
- Return to the airport when your program finishes, if you are departing prior to 1PM
- 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.
Check what's required to visit Thailand
Safety and support
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.
Essential country information
Essential country information
| Capital | Bangkok |
| Population | 69 million |
| Languages | Thai |
| Currency | Thai Baht (THB) |
| Time zone | UTC+07:00 |
Weather and climate: The climate in Thailand varies between the north and south regions, however, the temperature is relatively hot year-round throughout the country. The southern coastal region is characterised by a monsoon climate, which brings heavy rainfall from April to October in the South West and from September to December in the South East. In central and northern inland parts of Thailand, the climate is tropical with the rainy season lasting from May to November, bringing hot and humid weather. During the dry season, temperatures are cool from November to February and are hot from March to May. In Chiang Rai, the hottest average temperature is 36°C (96.8°F) in April and the coolest average temperature is 15°C (59°F) in December. Please see Weather Spark for more details on the climate and weather forecast.
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