Info

Working with animals in South Africa, providing a welfare veterinary service.

* Overview:
By working with animals in Africa you will provide support for animal welfare officers to ensure that animals from poorer communities receive the medical attention and care they desperately need.

The services offered in this work with animals volunteer programme range from primary veterinary healthcare provision to performing complicated orthopaedic surgery.
Working with animals in Africa can no longer only be viewed in terms of veterinary care but is also a public health issue - playing an important role in ensuring the transmission of diseases from animals to people is minimized. Additionally this working with animals in South Africa charity plays an important role in promoting the vaccination and sterilization of animals.

This working with animals in Africa volunteer programme give you the unique chance to provide a welfare veterinary service to the owners of animals who are unable to afford private veterinary services.


* Programme details:
After arrival at Cape Town International airport, you will be met and taken to your accommodation ready for your 4-day induction with all the other volunteers who have also just arrived. The induction will provide you with all the necessary information for living in Cape Town, after which, you'll be introduced to the project.

As you enter the animal charity you will be greeted by a motley gang of grateful rescuees, from geese to donkeys to kittens to dogs of all shapes and sizes. This project does not re-home the animals, rather animals are taken in for medical care and then returned to their owners, unless there is a serious case of abuse, in which case the charity will pass the animal on to a project that deals with re-homing.

There are opportunities to get involved with various activities including:

-> Assisting animal welfare officers in clinics at the hospital and on mobile units in the townships
-> Marketing and public relations assistance
-> Website development and electronic newsletters
-> General maintenance of the clinics

Normal working hours are Monday to Friday 8.00 am - 5.00 pm. There may also be opportunities to help on the weekends.

A sightseeing or activity tour of the Cape Town region is included in your programme. You could cycle around Table Mountain, go tasting in the Winelands, watch whales, seals and penguins or explore a township community.

Duration

from 2 weeks to 1 year

Start Dates

On Thursday before the 1st Monday of each month

Requirements

* Minimum age is 18 yrs.
* This is an ideal project for qualified Vets or veterinary students, if however, you are not a veterinary specialist, there is still an important contribution for you to make to the project.
* Any experience with animals is beneficial.
* A genuine compassion for animal welfare.
* International volunteers are welcome