Domestic Animal Welfare volunteering
Travel for Charity Tanzania, a non-governmental organization committed to sustainable development and community empowerment, offers a meaningful Domestic Animal Welfare Volunteering Program in Arusha. This initiative is designed for animal lovers and compassionate individuals who wish to make a positive impact on the lives of domestic animals—especially dogs, cats, donkeys, and other livestock that often suffer from neglect, poor nutrition, or lack of veterinary care in rural and urban communities.
In many parts of Tanzania, domestic animals play a crucial role in daily life. Dogs serve as loyal protectors of homes, donkeys are vital for transporting goods, and livestock such as goats and chickens are essential for food security. Unfortunately, due to poverty, limited access to veterinary services, and a lack of public education on animal care, these animals are often left vulnerable to disease, malnutrition, injury, and abuse. Travel for Charity Tanzania established this program to address these challenges through education, rehabilitation, and hands-on care.
What volunteer can do
- Provide Hands-On Care for Goats, Cows, Dogs, Cats and Donkeys
- Donating practicing equipment
- Assist with Veterinary Care and Rehabilitation
- Give Education and Awareness
- Support Shelter Operations
OUR KEYS OF INFORMATIONS
Local Family Home-stay
Durations from 1 – 24 weeks
Volunteers must aged 15+
Skills improvements.
up to 5 hours a day
Visit the famous Places
Share your Skills
No experience is needed .
- Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or friend who is over 18 to participate in this program
- Volunteers aged 16-18 are required to provide a confirmed letter with parental consent in order to participate on the program.
- All volunteers are required to provide a criminal background prior to departure,
- All volunteers must speak fluent English.
- All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
Orientation
As a volunteer, you will work alongside local animal welfare workers, veterinarians, and other volunteers to provide much-needed support to domestic animals in need. Your responsibilities may include feeding, grooming, and bathing animals; assisting in vaccination and sterilization clinics; helping to rescue injured or mistreated animals; and providing basic first aid under the supervision of trained personnel. Volunteers may also participate in animal welfare outreach campaigns in nearby villages and schools, educating communities on proper animal care, the importance of vaccinations, and the humane treatment of animals.
Your Domestic animal welfare volunteering program orientation in Arusha begins in the volunteers house after arriving in Arusha on the day before operation.
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK) in Arusha. Your airport pick-up is included in your program fee. We recommend that volunteers under the age of 18 travel internationally with a notarized letter from their parents to support their documentation. When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the volunteer accommodation in Arusha. Your accommodation is covered by your program fee and includes the night before your program orientation.
If you are traveling in Tanzania prior to your football volunteering project , we can arrange for you to be picked up in Arusha on the day before your program orientation. Orientation is hosted by our local team at one of the volunteer houses in Arusha. Orientation begins on the morning of your chosen start date. If your start date falls on a weekend or a public holiday, your orientation will begin on the Monday or day following the public holiday. Orientation covers everything you need to know for your summer volunteer program in Tanzania – an introduction to Tanzania, Tanzanian customs, rules and expectations, language lessons (Kiswahili), safety, travel opportunities in Tanzania, and an 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.
WHAT VOLUNTEER CAN DO ON WEEK-END
From game drives with lion, elephant and rhino to climbing the tallest freestanding mountain in the world and visiting Africa’s ancient tribes – Tanzania offers some of the most awe-inspiring travel opportunities on the planet.
We believe that no volunteer adventure would be complete without experiencing these wonders. That’s why we offer safaris, guided hikes and other tours, exclusively available to volunteers as affordable add-ons. And each 10% from safari cost goes to support local community and children School.
Tanzania Add-Ons for Volunteers
Day trip to Tarangire national park
From 179$ p
Mid- Range
2 Days Tarangire & Ngorongoro
From 179$ p
Mid- Range
AN EXAMPLE OF VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE
First Day
On the first day of the volunteering placement, you will be escorted to the project by our local staff and introduced to the staff at the project you will be working with.
Weekdays
Work and hours are dependent on the project and placement that each volunteer is working at. A typical volunteer day would be as follows:
7:30 AM Breakfast at the volunteer house or homestay.
8:00 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.
2:00 – 5:00 PM Work at the placement usually ends. Volunteers are free to travel home for lunch at their accommodation, prepare for the next day or do some shopping and sightseeing.
8:30 PM Dinner at the volunteer house or homestay
Weekends
Tanzania is a wildlife lover’s dream. In your free time you can venture out on a safari and see Africa’s Big 5 – lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and rhino – as well as the mind-blowing number of other species that call Tanzania home.
In Arusha itself you can find great markets, take a few days to hike up the nearby Mt Meru, or learn about the Maasai and Meru tribes of the area. You can also take take a short flight down to Zanzibar for a weekend of sun and sandy beaches or save some time before or after your program to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
VOLUNTEER ACCOMMODATION ON THE FARM
Our volunteers are now accommodated directly on the farm, in a peaceful, protected area surrounded by nature. This immersive experience allows volunteers to live and work in the heart of the project, deepening their connection with the land, the community, and the culture.
Volunteers stay in comfortable camping-style cabins set within a secure, natural environment. The cabins are simple but cozy, offering shared accommodation with separate spaces for men and women. Each cabin typically houses between one and six volunteers, depending on availability and season. The area is safe, well-maintained, and ideal for those who enjoy being close to nature.
Living conditions on the farm are basic yet comfortable. Cabins are equipped with beds, mosquito nets, electricity, and access to clean running water. Western-style toilets and showers are available on-site, though occasional power outages may affect hot water availability. Despite the rural setting, the facilities are designed to ensure a positive and safe stay for all volunteers.
During peak volunteer seasons (January, June, July, and August), if on-farm accommodation reaches capacity, additional volunteers may be hosted at a nearby partner facility in shared, dormitory-style rooms, also separated by gender.
Wi-Fi is limited and may be unreliable on the farm, so volunteers are encouraged to arrive with an e-SIM or an unlocked mobile phone to purchase a local SIM card upon arrival. Our local team will assist with SIM card and data setup during orientation. In case of urgent needs, stronger Wi-Fi is available at nearby guesthouses or cafés in the area.
If you wish to arrive before your program start date or extend your stay after the project ends, extra nights on the farm can be arranged at $40 per person, per night (including three meals daily), subject to availability. Private accommodation upgrades can also be arranged at nearby eco-lodges or guesthouses for an additional cost.
MEALS
All volunteers are provided with three meals a day prepared using fresh ingredients—often sourced directly from the farm itself. Meals reflect Tanzanian culinary traditions and include staples such as rice, beans, ugali (maize porridge), chapatti, and fresh vegetables. Breakfast usually consists of eggs, seasonal fruits, pancakes or mandazzi (fried dough balls), and bread with local spreads.
Lunch and dinner typically include a traditional meat dish (such as chicken or beef) accompanied by vegetables, beans, lentils, and either rice, pasta, or chapatti. Vegetarian options are always available, and our kitchen team is happy to accommodate dietary preferences, including dairy-free, gluten-free, and nut-free meals. Please note that vegan, halal, or kosher meals are not currently available.
Drinking water is provided on-site—either as filtered water or bottled water. Volunteers should budget around $5 per week if they prefer bottled water (approx. 2 liters per day). Filtered water is free and accessible from shared kitchen areas.
While meals may differ from what you’re used to at home, we encourage all volunteers to embrace the local food culture. The experience of sharing meals made from farm-grown produce is not only nourishing but also builds community and connection.