Animal Care Volunteer Project in Cape Town - South Africa

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The IVHQ South Africa volunteer program is based in Muizenberg and has volunteer placements located in the Philippi, Steenberg and Grassy Park communities, which are approximately 30 to 40 minutes from the Cape Town city center.

Volunteer programs begin on the first and third Monday of each month. Volunteers can choose to volunteer for periods ranging from 1 week to 24 weeks.

The IVHQ South Africa program is one of our longest running volunteer programs and has the aim of delivering positive outcomes in communities throughout the Cape Town region by placing volunteers on a wide range of impactful projects. Volunteers help locally-run projects to improve lives through their support initiatives in the areas of Teaching, Childcare, Surf Outreach, Sports Development and Animal Care. Our South Africa program also has the specific aim of supporting animals and children and young people who have had a challenging start to life because of exposure to drugs, alcohol or physical abuse.

The program orientation begins on the first and third Monday of each month and volunteers need to arrive in Cape Town on the day before orientation.

After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at the Cape Town International Airport (CPT). Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee.

When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the volunteer accommodation in Muizenberg. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.

If you are traveling in South Africa prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up within the Cape Town CBD area on the day before your program orientation.

Orientation is taken by our South Africa team in Muizenberg, Cape Town. Orientation begins on the morning of your chosen start date and covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in South Africa – Introduction to South Africa, South African Customs, Language Training Details, Rules and Expectations, Safety, Travel Opportunities in South Africa, Introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing. Once your orientation is complete you will take a trip into Cape Town before returning to your volunteer accommodation.

First Day: On your first day of volunteering, you will be escorted to your placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff you will be working with.

Weekdays: A typical volunteer day would be as follows:

7.00 AM Breakfast at the volunteer house.

8.00 AM - 8.30 AM Volunteers leave home and travel to their placements. Work and hours are dependent on the project and placement that each volunteer is working at.

12.00 PM - 2.00 PM Work at the placement usually ends. Volunteers are free to travel back to the volunteer house for lunch, go sight seeing, or do some shopping.

7.00 PM Dinner at the volunteer house.

Volunteers are accommodated in volunteer houses and can expect to share a room with one to seven other volunteers. Bedrooms are comprised of single beds and bunk beds with bedding provided. You will just need to bring your own towel and toiletries. The accommodation is safe and secure with the volunteer houses located in a safe suburb near the communities where volunteers work. Living is comfortable with a snack vending machine, television and the volunteer houses have electricity and running water with Western toilets.

The volunteer houses are fixed with 4G fiber. Data is limited so volunteers will not be able to download or stream TV shows/movies.

Volunteers in South Africa receive three meals per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner), Monday through Friday, and meals served in the volunteer house are typically Western-style. Breakfast consists of self-serve tea, coffee, toast and cereal. For lunch volunteers will be provided with supplies to make their own sandwiches and dinner consists of dishes containing meat, vegetables and a starch, such as potatoes, bread or pasta. It is not possible to drink the tap water in South Africa, however, bottled water is readily available in South Africa, and you should budget approximately $5 per week for this (2 liters per day). If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know when you apply for the program so we can make arrangements for you. However, we need to stress the point that you should not expect to eat as you normally do at home. We will do our best to see that you are well taken care of, but also as a volunteer, there is a need to be flexible.

“When I arrived for my surf outreach program the lodge itself exceeded my expectations, it was very comfortable and nice. The surf program was so much fun. The surf instructor was amazing and I was surprised how quickly I learned to surf. I enjoyed working with the children very much and my only complaint was that I was only there for two weeks and just when I was starting to get to know the kids I had to leave.” - Brianna Weeks (Surf Outreach Volunteer in South Africa)

Read more reviews from IVHQ volunteers in South Africa here

On the weekends, volunteers have spare time to relax or take the opportunity to explore Cape Town or other areas in South Africa. Long weekends can be taken if volunteers wish to go on safari, or travel to places further afield, such as the Garden Route. Although there are no cooks on staff during the weekend, food supplies are stored in the kitchen at the volunteer houses for volunteers to use to prepare their own meals.

See our South Africa Travel and Tours page for more volunteer travel options in South Africa!

Weather and climate: The subtropical location, moderated by the Atlantic and Indian Oceans on three sides of the country and the altitude of the central plateau, are responsible for the warm temperatures typical of South Africa. Across much of the country, summer (December to February) is characterized by hot, sunny weather with temperatures averaging around 25°C (77°F). Winter (May to September) is cooler and drier with evening temperatures averaging around 10 °C (50°F). In Cape Town, sporadic showers and chilly winds are common during the winter months, but with daytime temperatures can average around 15°C (59°F).

Volunteers need to be 18 years or over to participate on this program, unless volunteering with a parent or guardian. If you are under the age of 18, IVHQ offers alternative volunteer opportunities for teens. Visit our High School Volunteer Abroad page to learn more.

All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance and provide a criminal background check to IVHQ’s local team on arrival in South Africa. Additional requirements apply for Surf Outreach and Computer Teaching volunteers.

Free Interactive Volunteer Training - All volunteers are encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training, which is available exclusively to registered IVHQ volunteers. The training is designed to build an understanding of important aspects that need to be considered before embarking on an IVHQ program. It helps volunteers to prepare in the right way by providing advice on what it takes to be a safe, responsible and valuable volunteer. Try a sample of the training here.