Have you ever dreamed of volunteering with animals abroad, helping endangered species or assisting at a wildlife sanctuary? Animal volunteering, often called voluntourism, offers incredible experiences to connect with wildlife. But with these experiences comes a big responsibility: ensuring the animals we encounter are thriving, not suffering. This is why finding experiences that prioritize ethical animal volunteering is essential!
As we explore the ethics of volunteering abroad, we’ll also share some inspiring stories from fellow travelers who have participated in ethical animal volunteer programs. Learn from their experiences to know what to look for in a program and discover opportunities to contribute to the well-being of animals around the world!
Table of Contents
What makes an experience 'ethical'?
Voluntourism, a common type of eco-tourism, is a travel trend that is steadily on the rise. As explorers are more exposed to the problems plaguing various regions in the world – from environmental degradation, lack of education, and animal abuse – they are seeking ways to get involved and help.
Unfortunately, not all organizations follow the same moral guidelines.
Many volunteers are willing to pay money to volunteer abroad, and that opens the doors to lucrative business opportunities and unethical practices with profit in mind. If there is income from foreigners ‘helping’, then there is a need to keep the reasons for helping there. It is simple supply and demand – you won’t eradicate local problems if the problems are what’s bringing in the money.
There are too many organizations claiming to do good, that are just a business front without actually trying to combat the problem they market to the willing travelers.
Five Freedoms
Any experience should focus on ethics first. Within animal welfare, this is known as the 5 freedoms. Freedom from hunger, thirst, and malnutrition. Freedom from discomfort. Freedom from pain, injury, and disease. Freedom to express natural behaviors. Freedom from fear and distress.
Every type of animal has their specific behavior and temperament. So while giving hugs and physical love to a dog, bred for human companionship, it’s not okay at an elephant sanctuary where the animals should remain as wild as possible.
Local Involvement
No volunteer experience is ethical without local involvement. We sometimes feel our western education is useful in some parts of the world, but nothing will ever outweigh direct local experience. The organization should be ran and operated by local people who have a vested interest in the outcomes. While foreign support is great, they should never be the leading force.
Transparency
Any organization that is committed to social or environmental good, should want to tell the world about it! If an organization has vague statements, or non-specific data, or doesn’t discuss the overall impacts and problems that led to its creation, it may have something to hide. This includes transparency about where your money (if any) is given.
Watch the documentary The Last Tourist for a different perspective on how being a tourist with great intentions can have devastating impacts, especially when it comes to volunteering.
1. Puppy Rescue in Bangalore
Organization: Let’s Live Together
Location: Bangalore, India
Written by Raksha Nagaraj, creator of Bengaluru Prayana
Bangalore has many stray animals living on the streets without food and shelter. It is unfortunate to see these animals without love and homes. Some organizations are working to ensure these strays are cared for and find permanent homes through adoption.
One of the most fulfilling activities I have done in Bangalore is volunteering to find homes for stray animals, especially dogs. Run by a local Bangalorean, Let’s Live Together, a non-profit organization in Malleshwaram operates a foster-based animal rescue center. Rescued stray puppies are cared for by foster parents until they find permanent homes.
I have volunteered with them at various events like PetFed, Pawsana, and other community gatherings. These events help educate people about Indian dog breeds and encourage adoption.
During my ethical animal volunteering experience, I helped take care of the puppies throughout the day, ensuring they were fed and safe. I also talked to potential adopters, helping them understand the responsibilities of pet ownership and the joy these puppies could bring into their lives.
Volunteering with Let’s Live Together has been a rewarding experience. It feels great to contribute to the well-being of these animals and help them find loving homes. Stray animals are as beautiful and loyal as any other breed. They deserve the same love and care, and helping them find homes is surely gratifying.
2. Sea Turtle Hatchery in Bali
Organization: Reef Seen – Turtle Hatchery Project
Location: Pemuteran, Bali Indonesia
Written by Victoria Maria, creator of Guide Your Travel
Bali is home to several native sea turtle species, and unfortunately, all of them are endangered. With humans destroying nesting grounds and habitats, and plastic waste posing a threat to the health of the turtles, the populations are shrinking quickly. A great way to support these beautiful animals is to volunteer at an ethical organization that helps sea turtles in Bali and the surrounding islands.
There are a lot of sea turtle organizations to choose from in Bali, and unfortunately, not all of them offer ethical animal volunteering experiences. I recommend the Turtle Hatchery Project in North-West Bali, which rescues, raises and then re-releases baby sea turtles.
You can visit them and help out for just a day, or contact them for longer volunteering opportunities. Just note that I was helping out at the Turtle Hatchery Project as part of a longer group tour of Bali and releasing turtles that had been raised at the site and were ready to go out into the ocean.
In my experience, the organization was very ethical and did a nice job of providing education and jobs for the local community. I would definitely recommend coming here even if it’s just for a day or two to release turtles.
Indonesia is strict regarding visas and following the allowed activities. Volunteering is not allowed on a tourist visa, so consult a visa agent before you go to avoid any legal problems or fines.
3. Dog Rehab in Phuket
Organization: Soi Dog Foundation
Location: Phuket, Thailand
Written by Aga, creator of Aga on the Run
Soi Dog Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming of stray dogs and cats. Founded in 2003 by a British couple, it’s now a dynamically operating institution helping homeless animals of Phuket.
I first heard of Soi Dog Foundation after my arrival in Thailand and getting more familiar with the stray dog and cat problem. During the many months I spent in Thailand I knew I had to volunteer, but selfishly, I was scared. Being a huge doggie lover, I thought that visiting a “shelter” would be too heartbreaking. Luckily I couldn’t be more wrong. From the moment you step into the foundation, you realize, that it’s a place full of love for the animals. The cats and dogs are very well taken care of, they receive all the help they need and they’re kept in excellent conditions. The doggies even have a pool! Yes, you heard me, a pool!
But the foundation needs constant support and the help of volunteers.
What will you do as a volunteer?
Most likely you’ll be walking the doggies. At least that’s what I did. You can read more details about my experience in the blog post I wrote. I also share some of the “logistics” there, like transportation, and accommodation and I’m explaining how your day as a volunteer will look.
If you’re looking for an ethical animal volunteering experience in Thailand, Soi Dog Foundation in Phuket is the place to go. As a volunteer you’ll be doing a fairly easy job – because spending your day surrounded by wagging tails and purring kitties doesn’t sound hard, does it? – but the impact you’ll have will be great! Not to mention, you’ll be able to connect with locals and fellow volunteers from around the world who share the same passion – animal wellbeing. Just make sure you book it in advance, especially if you’re traveling during the high season. And enjoy your furry experience!
4. Donkey Sanctuary in Antigua
Organization: Antigua & Barbuda Humane Society
Location: Antigua Island
Written by Sara Young, creator of Big Adventures with Little Feet
I live in Antigua in the winter with my boyfriend and our two sons. For the last 3 years, I’ve volunteered at the Antigua and Barbuda Humane Society at their donkey sanctuary. I found the sanctuary with my young son when we were looking for things to do together on the island. He’s big into animals and we visited the sanctuary a few times. When you visit you get given a brush and can groom the donkeys which he loves to do.
After a few visits, I decided to volunteer as I really respected the work that they were doing. When I’m in Antigua I go there weekly and help with caring for the donkeys such as cleaning their yard and feeding them. The team is a fun mix of locals and visitors like myself. They also have a good option where you can volunteer in exchange for accommodation at the sanctuary if you’ve not already got somewhere to stay.
It’s very well run, and they offer an amazing ethical animal volunteering experience because they are trying to catch the donkeys on the island who can be seen as pests and are often treated poorly. Or, take in injured donkeys that need treatment. If you’re visiting Antigua then I’d really recommend visiting them and giving a little of your time to their cause.
5. Dog Rescue in China
Organization: Harbin Slaughterhouse Survivors (SHS)
Location: Harbin, China
Written by Jenn Lloyd, creator of Sick Girl Travels
In 2019 I came across an intriguing post looking for a volunteer interested in helping to rehome dog meat trade survivors in the United States. The group, Harbin Slaughter House Survivors (SBS), was seeking someone to volunteer at the safehouse in Harbin, China then fly eight dogs to the States to their forever homes.
A few weeks later, I found myself in a village outside Harbin facing negative thirty-five-degree temperatures and the harsh world of the dog meat trade. The three women who run Slaughter House Survivors were some of the toughest women I’d ever met. Despite the grim surroundings and animal suffering, they had a razor-sharp wit and passionate drive that could not be beaten.
The Safe House where I spent the bulk of my time was filled with hundreds of dogs, all rescued from dire situations, many pulled off meat trucks and were rescued with Parvo, Distemper, Canine Corona Virus, Mange, and worms. Almost all were wildly emaciated when first taken into the rescue and covered in cuts and other signs of abuse.
Now well-fed, groomed, and under the care of amazing vets, these dogs would need help learning to be dogs. This is what they called the rehabilitation phase. As a volunteer, my duties included playing with these pups, cleaning their kennels, feeding them, administering medications, and filling their water bowls.
The organization has helped rescue over 4,000 animals over the past 8 years of operation. Some of the dogs broke out of their shells right away. Others were so traumatized by the abuse that they were incredibly aggressive and would never be able to leave the safe house for the comfort of a real home. All were loved. All were safe.
After my week spent shoveling hundreds of pounds of poop and being licked silly by grateful pups of all breeds and mixes thereof, it was time to meet the eight lucky pups flying home with me to Los Angeles, four French bulldogs, three English bulldogs, and an adorable mutt would fly with me via cargo to their waiting fosters.
I ended up fostering one of the dogs and my parents adopted one of the frenchies. The experience changed my life. My experience with this ethical animal volunteering experience was so rewarding that I ended up going back four more times, and flying over fifty dogs and one cat to the US in total!
6. Guide Dogs in Sydney
Organization: Guide Dogs – NSW
Location: Sydney, Australia
Written by Raksha Nagaraj, creator of Let’s Travel Sydney
When I lived in Sydney, I had the opportunity to volunteer with Guide Dogs, a leading provider of guide dogs for people with low vision or blindness. These dogs are trained to help individuals navigate their communities safely and independently. Guide Dogs hosts many events that require volunteers to raise funds and spread awareness.
I participated in two events. The first was a Christmas fundraiser where my role was to wrap gifts for a minimal fee. This event was an excellent opportunity to fundraise and engage with the local community.
The second event was the Guide Dog Model Dog Art Exhibition. This exhibition displayed 70 decorated dogs at Scout Place and the Customs House in Sydney. The objective was to collect votes for these dogs in the form of gold coin donations. There was also a merchandise stall where people could buy Guide Dogs souvenirs. My responsibilities included taking care of the decorated dogs, engaging with the community, and selling merchandise.
Volunteering with Guide Dogs was an exhilarating and amazing experience. It felt great to contribute to a cause that allows visually impaired individuals to be independent and navigate society more easily with a beloved four-legged companion.
Summary - Ethical Animal Volunteering Experiences
It is the responsibility of the traveler to volunteer in a way that supports the location rather than exploits it. While there are too many organizations that don’t have the best intentions, there are so many that do!
Take it from this short list of ethical animal volunteering experiences around the world, where travelers just like you were able to help a great cause and leave a piece of their heart there. Being an animal lover doesn’t mean you have to have a pet to pour your heart into, because there are millions of animals around the world that would benefit from your time and attention, from dogs to turtles and donkeys, find an opportunity wherever you are!
It’s time we start spending our time and money on travel experiences that will have a lasting impression, and leave the place a little better than it was.
