In this post, myself and a few other travelling veterinary nurses have comprised a list of organisations and charities for volunteer vets and veterinary nurses!
Vets Beyond Borders - VBB
Vets Beyond Border's Website
This organisation is also very popular and highly recommended by volunteers, and also offer a large range of volunteer trips, including Sardinia, India, Africa and Asia.
To be a member, it is $75 a year, and this is needed to participate in the projects.
These projects don't require an admin fee, however accommodation may or may not be included, and flights, visas, food and extras are to be covered by the volunteer.
I would greatly recommend this organisation; they were extremely organised and thorough throughout, always available for assistance or support!
The project in Sardinia was fantastic, we could tell we were making a great difference to the Sanctuary and the animals there! The full time staff were all amazing, as were the two resident vets who worked full time at the Sanctuary. I cannot wait to revisit this project in the future!
Here i am in Sardinia with two veterinary volunteers, Sade and Natalia on our Vet Beyond Borders project!
Worldwide Veterinary Service - WVS
Worldwide Veterinary Service's Website
This organsiation is very popular and well known, and hosts many volunteer trips around the world, including India, Asia, Africa and South America.
You have to pay to be a member (at time of publishing this cost is £40 a year or £4 a month, and includes travel insurance for all WVS volunteer trips).
These projects usually require an Admin fee, as well as paying for accommodation sometimes. Flights, visa, food and extras are to be covered by the volunteer.
Here is Leigh (vetnurse_conservation) and her time in Africa with WVS!
"I spent 2 weeks with WVS completing their Mission Rabies drive in Ghana (February 2020) and it was truly one of the best experiences of my life. Their mission and passion is amazing and the animals and people of the world are benefiting massively from this project and organisation. I would definitely be volunteering with WVS again!"
Spay Academy Spain - SAS
Spay Academy Spain's Website
This organisation works with a large rescue in Valladolid, near Madrid called Scooby Medina. It runs roughly every couple of months, and is more a project for final year vet students, newly graduated vets, or vets who want to improve their bitch spay techniques with support from a confident and knowledgeable vet tutor.
For vets, the programme costs £300 deposit +£750 - this cost covers full course fee and disposables, lunch at the rescue, travel to and from the rescue/hotel daily. Not included is flights to and from Madrid and train to Medina del campo, dinner and hotel (preferential rates organised).
This programme has recently started new openings for veterinary nurses - final year SVNs and RVNs.
The cost for veterinary nurses is £300 deposit + £350 - this cost covers full course fee and disposables, hotel, travel to and from the rescue/hotel daily. Not included is flights to and from Madrid and train to Medina del campo, and dinner.
I have attended this project twice so far, with lots more in the plans for the future! I thoroughly enjoy the week; the accommodation supplied is great, and the town is a very small town in the outskirts of Madrid, so the English is minimal in restaurants and the clinic which allows me to practice my Spanish skills which I love! The day time is hard work and long days, but enjoyable with great company! Then in the evening, we go out to eat together, and the food is fantastic! I would highly recommend this project to all vets and vet nurses!
Here i am in Spain with our 10 vet delegates, Ana the vet tutor and Luis, coordinator of the project on my first Spay Academy Spain project!
Animals Asia
Animal Asia's Volunteer Page
This large and fantastic charity works at two sites, their main bear hospital and rescue in Chengu, China, as well as their centre in Vietnam. They work on rescuing sun bears from the illegal wildlife trade, mostly bears being exploited for bile collection. Once rescued, the bears are kept safely and happily at the centre. As part of the veterinary team, you will be responsible for daily cleaning, feeding and medicating the bears, creating enrichment, and assisting with monthly abdomen and worm checks. Also, assisting with any GA's and surgeries on the bears and assisting with small animal work as needed. Vet nurse volunteers will be supported by a resident VN.
They take veterinary nurse volunteers on for 3 month periods.
There is no fee to go, and they supply accommodation and 3 (vegan) meals a day. However, cost of the visa, flights, vaccinations and any extras are to be paid for by the volunteer.
Here is Molly (@molthesvn) from her time with Animals Asia in China - give her a follow on instagram!
"Animals Asia was my first solo travel experience and I loved every second of it! It was incredible to be surrounded by like minded people and experience the Chengdu Sanctuary first hand, seeing the stunning bears! I wouldn't hesitate to head back and plan on doing a 3-6 month voluntary placement once I graduate!"
Loop Abroad
Loop Abroad Website
An incredible travel program tailored to veterinary professionals and veterinary students. With volunteer programs on each end of the globe, you have opportunities to work with animals of all kinds. This is not only a veterinary travel program, but also offers veterinary credits for their onsite and online courses. This program is designed by veterinarians, for veterinarians.
Here is Rosie (@rosiemthompson) who also visited the Elephant Nature Park - however she got in touch with them directly!
"I learned so much about elephants and the way they are misused in the tourism industry, and I got to work closely with those rescued who needed veterinary assistance. It was an amazing experience and I can't recommend this place enough. It is an amazing opportunity to see these gentle giants up close without exploiting them like they so often are."
The second photo belongs to Amber (@vettechandtravel) at the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai on a Loop Abroad Programme!
"Loop abroad was the perfect introduction to travelling abroad as I was always with a group of like minded animal lovers and in the company of a local guide. My Loop Abroad trip not only prepared me for full time travel, but also gave me one of the most incredible experiences I've ever had by working hand in hand with elephants at ENP!"
ERHAM
ERHAM Facebook Page
This is a small charity based in Azemmour, Morocco. ERHAM in Arabic means 'show compassion' or 'take pity'. The local volunteers focus on feeding and taking care of the street cats. They have recently begun a vaccination project too.
They run trap, neuter & release projects throughout the year - get in touch with me if you are interested in volunteering with us!
Here i am in Morocco, working on the streets giving flea and worm treatments, noting locations of entire cats, treating any cats/kittens with cat flu and giving out food/water.
I now work very closely with this project, as one of their vet nurses alongside my friend Kimberly.
I will be returning to Morocco as soon as the travel ban is lifted to help with our next trap neuter release project! The cats of Morocco are so special, as are the people - they are so welcoming and kind!
Save Vietnam's Wildlife
Save Vietnam's Wildlife Volunteer Page
Save Vietnam’s Wildlife offer a paying programme and professional programme. The professional one is for vets and vet nurses. However you can only apply for it if you are staying for a longer time (eg 6 weeks). You can still volunteer as a vet nurse on the paying programme and work with the vet team. You volunteer directly with the pangolins and other wildlife rescued from the wildlife trade and more.
This is Emma, (@_wild.at_heart), an amazing RVN from the UK who volunteered with SVW, who i met in Morocco on another veterinary trip:
'I was there for 3 weeks! It was amazing. I would definitely recommend!'
Lilongwe Wildlife Trust
Lilongwe Wildlife's Volunteer Page
This Wildlife Trust is based in Malawi, and offers various different volunteer opportunities, such as a 'Vet Externship' which is open to vets, vet students and veterinary nurses. Other opportunities include a 7 day Wildlife Medicine Course, and Research and Sanctuary volunteer positions. This programme is quite expensive, as are the majority of projects in Africa.
However, on the Vet Externship position, Dorm style accomodation is included, and vegetarian meals, tea, coffee, water are all included in the price. If you fly in on a Tuesday, airport transfer is also included. All work-related transport, an orientation on the charity and sanctuary and Lilongwe is included, as is a local sim card and T-shirt.
Flights, Visa, Vaccination, TB scan, and any other excursions and extras would be covered by the volunteer.
Amber (@vetnurseamber) and Emma (@_wild.at_heart) went to Lilongwe and did the Vet Externship. A note from Amber:
"I loved my stay at the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre. It was my first time abroad volunteering as a vet nurse and I met so many like minded people who I am still in contact with. We worked alongside the vets and caretakers at the Centre and learned a lot about the process of rehabilitation and release of the vervet monkeys and baboons back in the wild. A lifetime experience!
Conservation Africa
Conservation Africa Website
This project is based in Africa and has been running for 18 years so far, and the project involves treating injured and/or abandoned wildlife to bottle-feeding orphaned rhino calves. As well as working with rhino, they also work with hippo, lions, meerkats, antelope and birds of prey as well as other wildlife. The project is led by experienced conservationists.
This is another project which is paid for and can be quite expensive and depending on the project the prices vary. However, the cost covers accommodation, food, airport transfers and a good network of support and guidance. Flights, visa, vaccinations and extras are to be covered by the volunteer.
Leigh visited Care for Wild on one of their Wildlife Care and Rehabilitation projects.
"Care for Wild is an incredible and eye opening sanctuary. Although you are working closely with these poor babies, it's heart breaking to know their stories, but so rewarding to know you are helping their lives, and hopefully raising awareness on poaching. I would return to Care for Wild in a heartbeat!"
Ocean Acres Animal Sanctuary
Ocean Acres Animal Sanctuary Website
Vet volunteer Tash (@vet_adventures) went out to this rescue:
"Ocean Acres Animal Sanctuary is a wonderful rescue shelter set in paradise on the east coast of Barbados. They are currently looking after around 70 dogs and 50 cats. They are incredibly welcoming and grateful for any help we can offer whether that may be as a kennel hand to feed and look after the animals, as a nurse or as a veterinary surgeon. They haven't currently got any facilities to perform surgery on site however I did the rounds checking all their animals while there and was able to treat eye and ear cases, parasites, GI problems and support tick fever cases with fluids and injections as needed. Any cases I was more concerned about I brought to the island's vets. The director of OAAS very kindly put me up during my stay and ensured I had an amazing holiday as well as a very useful time volunteering. All the dogs are walked out daily, either in the stunning hills or on the beach which is only a few minutes walk away. I could not recommend it more!
Thank you to all of the other travelling veterinary nurses out there for contributing to this post!
Amber, Emma, Rosie, Molly, Leigh, Amber and Tash!
In addition to these charities and organisations here, there are hundreds, if not thousands of other charities, large and small that would accept help, either veterinary based or conservation or general care and management of the animals.
As in discussed in our Q&A, myself and Amber discussed ideas for getting in touch with charities directly; for example, if you are planning to go to a place on holiday or moving to an area, you can do some research and find out if there is an animal charity in the area, and then get in touch!
If you are interested in watching our Q&A, you can find it on the IGTV of either (@thetravellingveterinarynurse) or (@vettechandtravel)!
"Loop abroad was the perfect introduction to travelling abroad as I was always with a group of like minded animal lovers and in the company of a local guide. My Loop Abroad trip not only prepared me for full time travel, but also gave me one of the most incredible experiences I've ever had by working hand in hand with elephants at ENP!"
ERHAM
ERHAM Facebook Page
This is a small charity based in Azemmour, Morocco. ERHAM in Arabic means 'show compassion' or 'take pity'. The local volunteers focus on feeding and taking care of the street cats. They have recently begun a vaccination project too.
They run trap, neuter & release projects throughout the year - get in touch with me if you are interested in volunteering with us!
Here i am in Morocco, working on the streets giving flea and worm treatments, noting locations of entire cats, treating any cats/kittens with cat flu and giving out food/water.
I now work very closely with this project, as one of their vet nurses alongside my friend Kimberly.
I will be returning to Morocco as soon as the travel ban is lifted to help with our next trap neuter release project! The cats of Morocco are so special, as are the people - they are so welcoming and kind!
Save Vietnam's Wildlife
Save Vietnam's Wildlife Volunteer Page
Save Vietnam’s Wildlife offer a paying programme and professional programme. The professional one is for vets and vet nurses. However you can only apply for it if you are staying for a longer time (eg 6 weeks). You can still volunteer as a vet nurse on the paying programme and work with the vet team. You volunteer directly with the pangolins and other wildlife rescued from the wildlife trade and more.
This is Emma, (@_wild.at_heart), an amazing RVN from the UK who volunteered with SVW, who i met in Morocco on another veterinary trip:
'I was there for 3 weeks! It was amazing. I would definitely recommend!'
Lilongwe Wildlife Trust
Lilongwe Wildlife's Volunteer Page
This Wildlife Trust is based in Malawi, and offers various different volunteer opportunities, such as a 'Vet Externship' which is open to vets, vet students and veterinary nurses. Other opportunities include a 7 day Wildlife Medicine Course, and Research and Sanctuary volunteer positions. This programme is quite expensive, as are the majority of projects in Africa.
However, on the Vet Externship position, Dorm style accomodation is included, and vegetarian meals, tea, coffee, water are all included in the price. If you fly in on a Tuesday, airport transfer is also included. All work-related transport, an orientation on the charity and sanctuary and Lilongwe is included, as is a local sim card and T-shirt.
Flights, Visa, Vaccination, TB scan, and any other excursions and extras would be covered by the volunteer.
Amber (@vetnurseamber) and Emma (@_wild.at_heart) went to Lilongwe and did the Vet Externship. A note from Amber:
"I loved my stay at the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre. It was my first time abroad volunteering as a vet nurse and I met so many like minded people who I am still in contact with. We worked alongside the vets and caretakers at the Centre and learned a lot about the process of rehabilitation and release of the vervet monkeys and baboons back in the wild. A lifetime experience!
Conservation Africa Website
This project is based in Africa and has been running for 18 years so far, and the project involves treating injured and/or abandoned wildlife to bottle-feeding orphaned rhino calves. As well as working with rhino, they also work with hippo, lions, meerkats, antelope and birds of prey as well as other wildlife. The project is led by experienced conservationists.
This is another project which is paid for and can be quite expensive and depending on the project the prices vary. However, the cost covers accommodation, food, airport transfers and a good network of support and guidance. Flights, visa, vaccinations and extras are to be covered by the volunteer.
Leigh visited Care for Wild on one of their Wildlife Care and Rehabilitation projects.
"Care for Wild is an incredible and eye opening sanctuary. Although you are working closely with these poor babies, it's heart breaking to know their stories, but so rewarding to know you are helping their lives, and hopefully raising awareness on poaching. I would return to Care for Wild in a heartbeat!"
Ocean Acres Animal Sanctuary
Ocean Acres Animal Sanctuary Website
Vet volunteer Tash (@vet_adventures) went out to this rescue:
"Ocean Acres Animal Sanctuary is a wonderful rescue shelter set in paradise on the east coast of Barbados. They are currently looking after around 70 dogs and 50 cats. They are incredibly welcoming and grateful for any help we can offer whether that may be as a kennel hand to feed and look after the animals, as a nurse or as a veterinary surgeon. They haven't currently got any facilities to perform surgery on site however I did the rounds checking all their animals while there and was able to treat eye and ear cases, parasites, GI problems and support tick fever cases with fluids and injections as needed. Any cases I was more concerned about I brought to the island's vets. The director of OAAS very kindly put me up during my stay and ensured I had an amazing holiday as well as a very useful time volunteering. All the dogs are walked out daily, either in the stunning hills or on the beach which is only a few minutes walk away. I could not recommend it more!
Amber, Emma, Rosie, Molly, Leigh, Amber and Tash!
In addition to these charities and organisations here, there are hundreds, if not thousands of other charities, large and small that would accept help, either veterinary based or conservation or general care and management of the animals.
As in discussed in our Q&A, myself and Amber discussed ideas for getting in touch with charities directly; for example, if you are planning to go to a place on holiday or moving to an area, you can do some research and find out if there is an animal charity in the area, and then get in touch!
If you are interested in watching our Q&A, you can find it on the IGTV of either (@thetravellingveterinarynurse) or (@vettechandtravel)!
These links are ideas for online income!
International TEFL Academy: TEFL website
90 Day VA Course ( Becoming an online virtual assistant) : Virtual Assisting Course Website
