Love farm animals and cats and want to volunteer in Animal Care in Croatia? International Volunteer HQ’s Animal Care Program empowers volunteers to support a rural animal sanctuary in Brač and a dedicated cat shelter in Žrnovnica, just outside Split.
Volunteers gain hands-on experience caring for domestic and farm animals that have been rescued from neglect, abuse, or abandonment. By contributing time, energy, and compassion, you help ensure these animals receive the daily care, rehabilitation, and socialization they need to live safely and, where possible, find loving homes.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
Animal Care volunteers support two meaningful placements: a large Animal Sanctuary and a Cat Shelter focused exclusively on feline rescue and welfare.
The level of care these animals receive depends greatly on volunteer support. Your contribution directly improves their quality of life and helps local teams continue their vital rescue work.
Volunteers are welcome to indicate their placement preference in their application, depending on their experience, interests, and passions. This helps us better understand what suits you best, and our local team will do their best to accommodate your preference.
Animal Sanctuary – Brač Island
Located on the beautiful island just outside Split (Brač), the Animal Sanctuary provides a safe, natural, and humane environment for animals rescued from across Croatia. Many of the animals have experienced neglect or abandonment and now rely on consistent care and attention.
The sanctuary is home to donkeys, horses, ponies, pigs, sheep, goats, rabbits and cats.
As a volunteer, you will work alongside a team of passionate animal lovers and assist with all aspects of daily animal care. Tasks may include:
- Feeding animals and preparing food
- Cleaning and maintaining pens, stables, and enclosures
- Grooming and brushing animals
- Assisting with basic health monitoring (weighing, observing behavior)
- Providing companionship and socialization
- Supporting small construction or maintenance projects (fencing, shelters, green areas)
- Taking photos and videos to support adoption promotion
Working with farm animals can be physically active and sometimes challenging, as animals can be strong, independent, and occasionally moody. However, it is also deeply rewarding.
The sanctuary plays a critical role in Croatia, where many farm animals are still vulnerable to neglect. Volunteers are essential in ensuring each animal receives proper care and attention.
Cat Shelter – Split and Žrnovnica
The Cat Shelter is based in Žrnovnica just 20 minutes from Split, and it is focused exclusively on rescuing and caring for cats. The shelter houses more than 20 cats at any given time, many of whom have been abandoned or rescued from difficult situations.
Volunteers assist with:
- Cleaning litter boxes and maintaining hygiene
- Feeding cats
- Playing, socializing, and providing affection
- Monitoring general health and behavior
In Split city, volunteers may also support field rescue activities, such as:
- Feeding stray cats
- Assisting with catching cats for sterilization programs
- Responding to rescue calls (for example, retrieving a cat stuck in bushes or unsafe areas)
Because volunteers may sometimes work independently, particularly during rescue or field activities, previous experience with cats and confidence handling animals is required for this placement.
