Volunteers who are passionate about animals and animal rights. You’ll have the opportunity to learn about animal welfare in a different country while being part of a team that shares the same passion as you.

Project details

Ready to make some four-legged friends as an Animal Care volunteer in Croatia? International Volunteer HQ’s Animal Care project is a great way for volunteers to help improve life and conditions for abandoned cats and dogs in overcrowded animal shelters in the seaside town of Split. Volunteers gain experience caring for the health and wellbeing of animals while giving them time, love, and the best chance of getting adopted.

What to expect and how you'll make an impact

Animal shelters in Croatia play a crucial role in rescuing countless cats and dogs abandoned by their families. These shelters often face overcrowding, and volunteers are essential in providing care, socialization, and love to these animals, helping them thrive and increasing their chances of finding a forever home.

As an Animal Care volunteer, you’ll assist local staff with daily tasks and help raise community awareness about the importance of preventing animal abandonment. Your day-to-day duties will include:

Engaging with Animals: Play with dogs and cats, monitor their progress, and ensure they receive plenty of love and attention.
Walking Adventures: Take the dogs for walks in the surrounding areas, giving them exercise and fresh air.
Hands-On Care: Bathe, brush, and observe the behavior of dogs and cats to ensure their health and happiness.
Shelter Maintenance: Assist with cleaning tasks and maintaining all areas of the shelter, including green spaces, animal enclosures, and public areas.
Creative Contributions: Design and create new toys and entertaining spaces for the animals, enhancing their quality of life.
Visitor Engagement: Create welcoming recreational spaces where visitors can relax, pet the animals, and enjoy quality time with them.
Community Building: Foster a familiar and informative environment, making the shelter a warm and inviting place.
Event Planning: Help prepare and organize innovative and beneficial events both inside and outside the shelter.
Innovation and Ideas: Suggest new ideas to help the organization improve its mission to support and care for animals.
Capture Memories: Take pictures at different events and around the shelter, showcasing the positive impact of your work.

Rest assured that all animals in the shelter are fully vaccinated, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for both volunteers and animals.

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #15: Life on Land

Human activity has altered almost 75% of the earth’s surface and around 1 million animal and plant species are threatened with extinction. Nature is critical to our survival. We must promote kindness to animals and use regenerative techniques to combat deforestation, conserve biodiversity and protect wildlife.

Why do Animal Care volunteering in Split with IVHQ?

While volunteering with animals in Croatia you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:

Giving abandoned animals a brighter future
Helping animals get along with people
Learning or practicing Croatian
Gaining animal care experience
Immersing yourself fully in Croatian culture
Exploring the picturesque coast of Split

Volunteer requirements

Volunteers must be 18 years or older to participate in this program. If you are under 18, IVHQ offers alternative volunteer opportunities for teens. Visit our High School Volunteer Abroad to explore these options.

Volunteers aged over 18 on their start date are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ before departure.

All volunteers must speak English and have adequate volunteer travel insurance.

This project is currently not accepting applications.

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Who is going?

Group video calls

Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.