This article is part one in the coming series: Choosing a Volunteer Project. You can find Part 2: How to Find an Ethical Animal Volunteer Project here.
So you would like to volunteer with animals- thats great!
There are a lot of projects and charities out there that are looking for support from volunteers. In fact, there are so many that when you start to research them, its easy to become overwhelmed by the choices.
So what’s the best way to narrow down the options?
Well, one thing many of us don’t consider is that not every project is going to be a good fit for every volunteer.
Just like choosing a job or a university- there are different roles and environments that suit each of us better. And to make the most of your experience, its important to choose the project that is the best fit for your skills, experience and personal circumstance.
Considering what you’re looking for in a project ahead of time is vital to make sure you enjoy your experience. And just as importantly, it can help you avoid the disaster of arriving on-site only to realise that your placement isn’t what you hoped it would be.
So, BEFORE you choose your next volunteer project, take a sheet of paper, write down the following eight headings, then answer the questions that follow.
- Location
- Duration
- Species
- Support
- Purpose
- Skill-set
- Lifestyle
- Fundraising
Take your time and answer honestly. Your responses will help to guide you towards the opportunities that resonate with you, and will be the best fit for your skills and expectations.
1/ Location: Where in the world am I willing to go?
There are great organisations located all around the world, but the first hurdle to choose one is to deciding how far from home you are able and willing to travel.
To start your search, think about the time-frame that you have available, and which regions you could see yourself working in. Consider the types of wild or domesticated animals you might find in each area, the languages spoken, and whether you’ll need a visa. Remember that many sanctuaries are located in areas that may be difficult to access, so don’t choose to volunteer deep in the Amazon rainforest if you only have one week of holidays to get there and back!
If an international volunteer experience is out of your reach, chances are that there are animal charities and shelters in your own city that could benefit from your help! Try your local animal shelter, humane society, riding for the disabled group or even ask local vet clinics for ideas.
2/ Duration: How much time am I able to spend volunteering?
Consider your current commitments and responsibilities, and how much time you’ll be able to dedicate to volunteering for a good cause.
You might be able to give a block of time, allowing you to travel away from home full-time over a defined period. Alternatively, you may find that you would rather volunteer only part-time, but over a longer period, for example, two afternoons a month over a year.
Both of these options will open plenty of doors for volunteers, but make sure you’re upfront about how much time you have. You don’t want to over-commit and end up leaving someone short-handed.
Also keep in mind that the more time you can give, the more cost-effective it may be. For example, many international organisations will provide discounted food and board to volunteers who make a long term commitment. Plus you’ll gain more from your experience the longer you stay!
3/ Species: Which types of animals would I like to work with?
Working donkeys? Street dogs? Rescued primates? All these animals have individual charities dedicated to their care.
Have a think about the species you’d prefer to work with, while keeping in mind the practicalities of working with those animals. For example, remember that if you want to work with wildlife, you’ll have less hands on time than if you work with domestic species (ethical organisations know that humans handling wild animals is dangerous for both the animal and the volunteer). You can still make a huge difference to wildlife care and husbandry, but don’t be expecting to be cuddling orphan lion cubs.
Similarly, if you want to be involved with horses or donkeys, consider that these animals that do take some experience to handle. You’ll be safer and gain more from the volunteer experience if you already know how the basics of equine handling before you apply (or, ask in advance whether the organisation will have the resources to teach you these skills).
So while you shouldn’t be discouraged from choosing your favourite animal, don’t forget to be realistic with your expectations!
4/ Support: Would I prefer a program with structured support?
Volunteering internationally can seem daunting, but you don’t have to take the plunge alone.
Veterinary volunteering opportunities are available with various levels of professional support. Programs range from small shelters who allow you to arrange your own working hours, food and accommodation, to large scale organisations who will arrange transfers from the airport, schedule your day and organise your weekend to be crammed full of visits to the local attractions.
If haven’t had a lot of solo travel experience, consider booking your first volunteering trip through a large established organisation, such as Dogs Trust or WVS. These guys will act as your guides to ensure your planning is on track, your transport is arranged and that you feel prepared and comfortable every step of the way. You can also be assured that these organisations vet their projects very thoroughly, to ensure they run ethically. However, this extra support and reassurance does come with some extra cost financially.
If you feel pretty confident navigating around foreign countries yourself, or if you have specific skills that are needed, you may also wish to consider unstructured projects. These are the smaller shelters, rescue centres and clinics, who do all the animal care and admin themselves. They might be a little slower to reply to emails, and they won’t offer any extra support- it’ll be on you to find your own transport and accommodation. This may save you money, but it can also add extra stress.
Another means of support is to travel with a friend or partner, so you can volunteer together. This is a great way to reduce the stress and uncertainity of taking on a new project.
So, make sure you consider how much support you think you’ll need to feel comfortable. You’ll narrow down your volunteering options and reduce the chance of feeling overwhelmed and homesick in your new role.
5/ Purpose: What is my real purpose for volunteering?
Before applying, consider the reasons why you want to become a volunteer in the first place.
Whether its to learn skills, to travel, to help others or get some great photos for ‘the gram’, you’ll have an easier time finding the right opportunity if you’re clear about why you want to be there, and what you’d like to gain from the experience.
If you want to volunteer so you can travel and experience the culture of a country, a short term program in a less intense shelter may suit your needs without tiring you out.
If you are looking to gain experience for your studies or your career, you will benefit more from a longer commitment where you can really learn and build relationships with the staff.
If you’re looking to improve your veterinary skills in a certain area (especially surgery), make sure the project has the time, the staff and the caseload to assist you to do this.
And if you just want to snap animal selfies and lie on the beach, maybe reconsider if you really want to be a volunteer at all. Volunteering is not a holiday, and its rarely glamorous! Instead, consider attending a charity tour or participating in a keeper-for-a-day program (Seal Rescue Ireland, Fondation MONA in Spain and Animal SOS Sri Lanka are all charities that take visitors for as little as one day).
There’s nothing wrong in realising you’re not willing to give up your vacation to volunteer, and if so, its definitely better to know that before you arrive!
6/ Skillset: What useful skills do I have to offer, and how could these benefit others?
While many volunteer programs advertise vacancies for volunteers with no experience, its important you read the fine print to know if you will be a good fit for the role.
Think about the areas of expertise that you posess that may be beneficial for a charity or shelter. Your skills might be practical, if you work in construction, landscaping, painting or in the veterinary industry. They might be technical, if know how to build websites, or work in marketing, photography or videography. Or you might be a great educator, fundraiser or public speaker.
All these skills are things that could be invaluable to the right charity! If you can match your experience to an organisation that needs it, you’ll both get a lot more out of your collaboration.
And if you’re a vet or vet nurse, make sure you check the legality of volunteering as a professional in your chosen country. For example, its not possible to register as a vet for short-term stays in Sri Lanka, so my volunteer role at Animal SOS was more akin to that of a vet nurse than a vet. I still had a fantastic experience, but its important to consider what your skills are, and how you will be using them before you go to avoid dissappointment.
7) Lifestyle: Am I willing to rough it?
If you’re planning to volunteer overseas, be aware that the living conditions may be a little different to what you’re used to at home.
Many volunteers projects provide communal living arrangements to volunteers, so you may need to share a kitchen and bedroom with people you’ve just met.
Some shelters in tropical regions don’t have hot running water. Others have a lack of availability of certain foods, like beef and dairy in parts of Asia, or fresh fruits and vegetables in remote areas.
Many wildlife shelters are located in areas out of town, so may have very little phone and internet connection.
All these small challenges are part of the experience that makes volunteering great and that will help you grow as an individual. But they are also the things that can lead to culture shock if they take you by surprise!
So, do your research and consider how much you’re willing to rough it to become a volunteer.
And if there are things you can’t live without, you can alleviate some of the stress by preparing in advance! For example, if you’re a coffee lover but there won’t be an espresso machine in sight, consider bringing your own instant coffee. If there won’t be great internet coverage, buy a wifi hotspot, or just warn your pals that you’ll be offline for a little while.
And remember that the most important thing about travel is that it challenges you! Embrace the differences- try new foods, detox from social media, and challenge yourself to learn a new language and make new friends. You only get out what you put into your experience!
8. Fundraising: Am I willing to raise and donate funds?
Many organisations that accept volunteers will ask you to pay a fee to cover the cost of your living expenses during your trip. Some will also ask for donations to help keep the clinic running.
This is perfectly reasonable! Many projects and charities run on a shoe-string budget, so asking for donations is a great way to support them, especially if you are still in training or if you’re only volunteering for a short period. (Check out my post Why Should I Pay to Volunteer to read more about why charities might charge fees, and how you can minimise costs!)
But do consider what your budget is, and allow plenty of time to fund-raise before you set off on your journey.
If you really are on a tiny budget yourself, it doesn’t mean that you can’t become a volunteer- but you may need to consider different options. For example, you may find it a lot cheaper to volunteer somewhere local to you, so you can stay at home and save on accommodation. Or you could reach out to smaller private charities- they tend to have less fees, but there is also much less support for you during your placement.
So make sure you really consider your budget and ability to fund-raise before you commit.
Conclusion
Choosing the correct volunteer organisation for yourself is the key to making (or breaking) your volunteer experience. Asking yourself these questions before you go will help you to keep your expectations in check, and tease out what’s important to you and what you’re willing to sacrifice to make the leap into the world of volunteering.
With this in mind, you can find information on the projects and charities where I had a great experience here. Or if you enjoyed my photos, you can read more about how to volunteer with the Darwin Animal Doctors Clinic on the Galapagos Islands here.
Want more information on getting started as a volunteer? Head back over to the Volunteers page, where you’ll find more info about planning your trip.
Or if I haven’t answered your question, get in touch anytime on the contact me page!
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