The Beginner’s Guide to Workawaying with Animals

Working with animals is a big dream for many people; it certainly was for me from a young age. In fact, I often find it easier to connect with animals than people – friendly, forgiving faces and warm, welcoming cuddles from a lovable animal never fail to brighten my day! Good thing for us animal lovers, we can now embrace this passion by volunteering abroad with animals for free, and even get free accommodation and often food in return for doing what we already love. With such a huge range of Workaway projects to choose from, the opportunities to volunteer with animals are limitless!

Perhaps you have never worked with animals before; maybe you have some basic animal experience from childhood pets of your own; or perhaps you have worked in depth with a particular species but want to branch out and gain some experience with other animals now. During my two years of Workaway adventures, a large chunk of my hosts have involved some sort of animal care and day-to-day interaction – so here are a few things I’ve learnt that can help you choose the right project, understand the experience you may need, explore options from animal sanctuaries and rescues to wildlife conservation and pet sitting gigs, and prepare for a hands-on and ethical animal volunteering trip that builds skills, supports animal welfare, and gives you a much more meaningful way to travel. 

Animals require a lot of attention and care, in a different way to, say, a DIY-focused Workaway. For this reason, it is important to be honest about our level of skill and experience when it comes to choosing a host. 

Some points to think about before you decide to work with animals abroad: have you had experience taking care of animals you are not familiar with? Animals that might have trust or health issues, that might not be as cuddly and clean as we imagine them to be? Would you be comfortable being on your own with just the animals? 

It’s easy for us all to think back to a time when we looked after a friend’s pet rabbit or dog walked an uncle’s dog – and often this type of experience is very relevant and enough to be a pair of helping hands for your host. However, in some cases, hosts might need more specialised knowledge from you, without which you might leave the animals and yourself in a situation that’s awkward at best and dangerous at worst. This isn’t a reason to feel disheartened – as I say, there are definitely suitable animal-related hosts out there for everyone (over 600 on Workaway in fact!); it’s just a matter of being understanding and finding the right place for you, based on your experience and expectations! Which is why your profile should be an accurate description of you and what you can offer - and if you’re not sure whether you are capable enough to handle a particular task, don’t be afraid to just ask. Being open, honest and initiating friendly communication is the best and most responsible way to find the right host.

Related blog post: Five questions to ask yourself before your first Workaway experience!

Do You Need Experience to Volunteer with Animals Abroad

If you’re new to the world of animal volunteering abroad, no worries - there are plenty of beginner-friendly ways you can get involved and volunteer or even work with animals abroad!

Like I’ve mentioned earlier, each volunteer project is different, especially when it comes to animal care, however there are plenty of daily tasks that do not require special knowledge or experience. These can include preparing food and feeding animals, cleaning enclosures and habitats, keeping them company and supporting more experienced staff or volunteers. All of these tasks are valuable and still give you plenty of opportunities to learn about and interact with animals.

That being said, if you’re looking for opportunities like marine or wildlife conservation volunteering abroad, you might also need some additional educational or professional experience. Veterinary roles also require not only experience, but relevant qualifications and are generally not open to beginners.

When choosing a suitable animal care project, check if your host or the organisation is looking for any specific experience before applying, but don’t sell yourself short - be honest and mention relevant experiences and skills, and highlight your passion for the field. Many animal volunteer projects (and the majority of host projects on Workaway) are happy to show beginners the ropes before you start actually working with the animals, and be on site to offer supervision and help where needed. Always discuss the tasks involved and what you'll be comfortable taking responsibility for before confirming your stay.

What Types of Animal Volunteer Projects Can You Choose From

Whether you’re passionate about wildlife conservation, pet care, farm animals, or anywhere in between, a bit of research will help connect you with just the right kind of animal volunteer project that matches your interest! Here are the main types of animal projects you can get involved in, especially if you’re looking to volunteer abroad with animals for free as a Workawayer: 

Animal rescues and shelters 

Animal rescues and shelters can be a great place to start exploring animal volunteering opportunities, with some projects welcoming beginners and others requiring previous experience. You’ll likely be working with dogs and cats, although some shelters care for other pets and animals too. Generally you’ll assist with feeding, cleaning, grooming, socialising and spending time with animals. You might also help out at adoption events, basic admin or fundraising tasks. One thing you’ll definitely be able to enjoy is a lot of quality time with the animals!

Farm animal sanctuaries 

Looking after cows, goats, pigs and more… farm sanctuaries care for rescued and neglected animals that aren’t your usual household pets. Volunteers may help with feeding, grooming, cleaning enclosures and general upkeep of the sanctuary. Expect to spend more time outdoors if you’re planning to volunteer with farm animals; depending on the project, you might also get to learn about farming and sustainability when not working with animals. 

Horse care projects are also popular volunteer abroad opportunities, ranging from everyday horse care and stable maintenance to rescue and rehabilitation. Some hosts may also offer opportunities for horseback riding, although this generally requires previous experience. 

Overall, being an animal sanctuary volunteer tends to be more physically demanding as you’ll likely be working outdoors, but since for many animals there the sanctuary is their forever home, you will be able to connect with them more deeply as you contribute to their lifelong care.

Wildlife conservation

Wildlife rehabilitation and conservation projects can vary widely - from raising awareness about responsible wildlife tourism on land, to helping with efforts in researching and restoring wildlife habitat. Wildlife conservation volunteering abroad can also involve a wide range of animals; you might be supporting conservation efforts involving elephants, big cats, birds, or other native species. Marine conservation is another popular option, which involves helping to protect marine animals such as sea turtles and dolphins through habitat restoration, beach surveys, and more.

Wildlife volunteering abroad isn’t always about spending time with animals, though. In fact, responsible organisations often strive to minimise human interaction to protect wildlife. If you’re passionate about ecology and sustainability, wildlife conservation volunteering abroad - even without interacting with animals on an everyday basis - this is a great opportunity to learn about wildlife animals and protection in a unique setting. 

Pet sitting 

Helping out as a pet sitter while travelling is perfect if you’d like to focus on an individual animal rather than supporting an organisation, and take care of a pet (or several) while their owner is away. In exchange, you’ll generally be staying for free at the home owner’s accommodation as part of the exchange. This option is perfect if you’ve had similar pet care experiences at home (and miss your furry friends), want to volunteer abroad with animals for free, and is a way to travel more flexibly and affordably.

What to Expect When Volunteering with Animals Abroad

Yes, volunteering with animals means we’re likely to get some snuggly cuddles, but we need to understand that it’s not free hugs and sunshine all the time! One thing I’ve learned is how different every single animal can be in different environments! For example, I worked with one particular rescue pig in Ireland and, when I first got to the animal sanctuary, I was warned to keep a distance and be careful; I even saw him charge at a friend of mine, leaving her with a nasty leg injury. However, a month later when we reached the midst of summer, we were able to move this little guy out into the field where he could lie in the sun all day with his companion and roll about in a muddy wallow. From this moment onwards, he became one of the friendliest, cuddliest pigs I’ve ever known!

Animals are, of course, directly affected by their surroundings and circumstances, so it’s impossible to ever predict how they may behave. Even an animal you have connected and bonded with over a long period of time can still display unpredictable behaviour for unexpected reasons – something as simple as bad weather can disturb a sensitive pig or dog. Remaining somewhat reserved and respectful is essential for both your own safety and that of the animals you are working with; patience and calmness are key.

Why Building Trust with Animals Takes Time

My experience is limited to Europe (so far), but even here, I have discovered a broad range of animal-related hosts. It varies a lot – from agricultural farm environments and working animal-based industries to rescue sanctuaries and rehabilitation centres. In most cases, I would definitely recommend reserving a longer period of time for your stay. After all, animals are sensitive and need a lot of time and patience to trust a person. For this reason, the longer you can stay with such a host, the better connection you can form with the animals there, thus enabling everyone to get the most out of the experience. Longer stays can also benefit the animals, as they allow more time to build trust and settle into a consistent routine. The longer you spend together the deeper a bond you can form; the better you can understand one another; the best level of support and care you can provide and the more rewarding your stay will be too!

How to Volunteer with Animals Ethically

Before I reach out to any projects in an animal-focused environment, here are some questions I ask myself:

• Why are the animals there?
• What impact will I have on their lives?
• What is the bigger picture behind the help I will be doing?

When it comes to ethical animal volunteering (and volunteering abroad in general!), I like to keep an open mind and consider the broader picture of my actions. It is important to try to appreciate and understand the key cultural and lifestyle differences when we visit a new country, while also considering animal welfare and whether a project's practices align with my values.

Of course, there are also some general rules when it comes to working with animals abroad in an ethical way, especially where wildlife animals are involved. Only consider projects that:

• provide training for volunteers, who will then work alongside local staff (I'd be extremely wary of animal care projects completely run by volunteers from abroad),
• avoid unnecessary handling and riding, which can disrupt the wild animals' natural behaviours,
• are transparent about where the animals came from, and 
• have a clear goal to rehabilitate rescued animals to be released back into the wild

When choosing a Workaway animal project, I also think about how I can potentially make a positive impact at a community level as well. Personally, I find rescue sanctuaries to be the most fulfilling type of host. It is such a fantastic opportunity to learn about animal care and management on a very different level to what we normally read about or experience in more traditional agricultural environments. When volunteering at a smaller-scale project, it's often easier to see the impact you are making and that the animals and hosts really appreciate your time; and there’s nothing better than feeling welcome and useful whilst doing something you are passionate about.

So, when browsing through Workaway animal care projects, perhaps think not only about what you will gain from the experience, but maybe also who your actions will benefit the most, both directly and indirectly. There are always ways to work with animals in a meaningful way; it is just a matter of finding and aligning your own passionate views to ensure your effort is well-received.

Related blog post:  A haven for dogs, cats and nature lovers: Animal Refuge on the Algarve, Portugal

Skills You Can Learn While Working with Animals Abroad

I have been at my current Workaway host for 8 months now – a vegan pig rescue sanctuary in Ireland – and, I have to say, I still learn new things every day. The connection I’ve made with some of the pigs here is incredible, but it took a lot of time to reach this stage where we can, for example, lie together in the field or roll about in the mud. They’ve taught me to stay patient and positive even when things don’t go as planned, and never to give up because hard work will eventually pay off. And, of course, despite all the highlights, it is important to be prepared for the downsides of animal work too. Particularly as an animal sanctuary volunteer, the sad circumstances behind some of the animals you care about does mean that not all of them will make it. This is a sad reality, but at least if you can somehow provide a positive stepping stone in their journey then you’ve had a worthwhile impact on their life. Sometimes you will have a bad day, but always remember to focus on the bigger picture; be positive and do your best for those you can help!

At the end of the day, if you are a true animal lover, you’re already halfway there – just keep an open mind and be aware that every experience is different and there’s always more to learn, from every single animal.

Related blog post:  Life Lessons From Travelling & Workawaying Around the World

How to Prepare for Your First Animal Volunteering Experience

So, if you’ve made it to the end of this post, I’d say you’re definitely interested enough to give it a go! Here’s my typical step-by-step guide after deciding on a project I’d like to volunteer at:

Research into your project

Look into the organisation, its animal welfare principles, how the animals are being taken care of by experienced staff and the type of help you’re expected to carry out as a volunteer. Make sure you’ve chosen an ethical animal volunteering opportunity and that their conservation ethos aligns with yours.

Check volunteer requirements in detail

Some animal volunteer roles require specific skills and experiences so make sure you meet the requirements before confirming any exchange. Depending on the destination and setting, you might need specific vaccinations and insurance before you embark on your volunteer trip. While many opportunities (and most Workaway animal projects) allow you to volunteer abroad with animals for free, it’s worth checking with the host if you should expect any additional expenses so that you can budget your trip accordingly.

Pack appropriately

Animal volunteering can be physically intense, so pack practical clothes that you’re not worried about getting dirty. Comfortable long-sleeved tops and trousers you can move around in, sturdy shoes, and gloves and boots if needed.

Keep an open mind

Each project and animal can be very different, so it’s important to follow guidelines, pay attention during training, and seek support from more experienced staff and volunteers if you’re unsure about anything. Bear in mind that some animals might need extra time and effort before they warm up to new volunteers, so it’s important to stay patient. There might also be days where you’re cleaning habitats or preparing food for the animals rather than directly interacting with them... but remember, ultimately it’s all about doing what we can to support animals in different ways!

Even if, up until now, you’ve only really worked with people, now is maybe the time to branch out and get some animal experience. Volunteering with animals really is something I will never get bored of; it’s just so rewarding and no two days are ever the same… hopefully you’ll enjoy it just as much as I do!