Work with animals abroad in South Africa with Projects Abroad

Volunteer Abroad Working with Animals in South Africa

Vulture The Animal Care Project in South Africa is very much a hands-on, practical volunteer experience for anyone who loves animals and wants to work with them.

There are volunteer opportunities in South Africa for those who want to get involved by looking after and caring for animals. Our volunteer work abroad with animals is suitable for both Gap year students and those taking a career break. Volunteers are simply required to enjoy looking after animals and want to learn more about them!

Volunteers can choose to work in either a general domestic animal center or a seabird rehabilitation center in Cape Town.

International Volunteer Work with Animals with Projects Abroad

Riding Volunteers shadow full time animal caregivers at both centers, gaining first hand experience about the way that animal rescue centers operate in South Africa. There are opportunities to get involved with hands-on work like feeding, exercising, and rehabilitating the animals under your care. As with any volunteer experience abroad, you get back what you put in; showing initiative and a willingness to get involved will result in your experience being very rewarding.

Our volunteer work with animals in South Africa will give you access to invaluable work experience, thus greatly enhancing your CV. You will gain many practical skills and develop as a person while living and working in a foreign country. Volunteers with veterinary experience will be able to get involved in specialized surgeries.

Volunteers assisting with domestic animals work mostly with stray dogs and cats at centers in Cape Town. Working with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), you'll be involved with preparing food, cleaning out cages, exercising the animals, grooming and caring for neglected and abused animals. The love and attention that you give to the animals can really improve their quality of life. Local staff will also appreciate any help with repairing and maintaining the kennels and cattery.

Volunteers who take a lot of initiative can also work with the staff from the mobile care unit. Working in the mobile care unit will give you the opportunity to visit local townships and get involved with the spaying and castration of cats and dogs.

Penguin For volunteers from a skilled equestrian background, we also offer a project working at a local stable containing 15-20 horses. This is a great opportunity for anyone with a passion for horses or those wishing to deal with larger animals.

This project is also available for two weeks if you don't have time to join us for a month or more. This project has been selected by our local colleagues as being suitable for short term volunteering for both the host community and the volunteer. Although you will gain a valuable cultural insight and work intensely within the local community please be aware that you may not be able to make the same impact as someone volunteering for a longer period.

Volunteers with a special interest in the conservation of coastal birds could also chose to work in a bird sanctuary. Based in Bloubergstrand, 25km outside of central Cape Town across the bay from Table Mountain, this shelter specializes in rescuing injured African Penguins. Volunteers here work in an amazing location, where colonies of penguins, cormorants, pelicans and even pink flamingos are a common sight. Volunteers will assist in preparing food, feeding the penguins, cleaning out cages, and rehabilitating injured or oiled birds. You'll get the opportunity to learn about these ecosystems and unique animals, while having a great time looking after these cheeky animals!

Volunteers should join the coastal birds project for at least one month. You will live with host families in Bloubergstrand, (known locally as Table View, for the spectacular view of the mountain). Transport into the centre of Cape Town is fast and frequent.

Need more information?

How to apply