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You’ll be matched with your personal volunteer travel expert who’ll guide you every step of the way.
Meet Your Travel Expert
Receive your welcome pack with everything you need: arrival info, contacts, visa and insurance help, packing tips, vaccines, language basics, and so much more.
Get Ready to Go!
Choose your dream project and apply for free—no commitment, just excitement!
Pick Your Destination & Apply
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Once your dates are confirmed, pay your program fee—choose to pay in full or in easy installments.
Secure Your Spot
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Want to volunteer with animals in Zanzibar? Our Animal Husbandry Assistant Program places you right at the heart of a busy rescue centre, where your daily work supports the recovery and wellbeing of mistreated, abandoned, or neglected animals.
Based on a rural farm sanctuary just outside Stone Town, you’ll care for a wide range of domestic and farm animals including donkeys, cows, goats, sheep, chickens, dogs, and cats. These animals have often come from difficult backgrounds—abuse, malnourishment, or neglect—and your help is vital in giving them a second chance at life.
Key Activities:
Feed and provide clean water to rescued animals
Clean and maintain stables, enclosures, and feeding areas
Support with grooming and basic animal health checks
Monitor animal behaviour and wellbeing
Assist with enrichment to stimulate natural behaviour
Help with shelter maintenance and farming duties
Support local staff with occasional community outreach
You’ll gain hands-on experience in animal care, develop practical husbandry skills, and contribute to meaningful welfare work in a region where support is truly needed. No prior experience is required—just a love for animals and a willingness to get involved.
By volunteering on our Animal Husbandry Assistant Program in Zanzibar, you will:
Provide daily hands-on care for rescued farm and domestic animals
Learn practical animal husbandry and welfare techniques
Help support the rehabilitation of abused and neglected animals
Live and work on a rural sanctuary surrounded by nature
Build meaningful connections with local staff, volunteers, and the animals you care for
Contribute to grassroots animal welfare efforts in an underserved region
Experience the unique blend of cultures, landscapes, and traditions that make Zanzibar so unforgettable
What to Expect: A Day in the Life of an Animal Husbandry Assistant
Life on the sanctuary is hands-on, varied, and deeply rewarding. You'll quickly become part of the daily rhythm—caring for animals, supporting the small local team, and responding to whatever the day brings. Tasks will depend on the season, the number of animals at the centre, and any emergencies that arise, but here’s what a typical day might look like:
7:00 AM – Morning Feeding Rounds
Start your day by preparing and distributing feed and water to donkeys, cows, goats, dogs, cats, and any newly rescued animals. You’ll also check that each animal is safe and healthy.8:00 AM – Shelter Cleaning & Animal Checks
Clean out stables, pens, and enclosures—removing waste, replacing bedding, and ensuring everything is dry and comfortable. You may assist with grooming, basic health checks, or applying simple treatments under supervision.10:30 AM – Tea Break & Mid-Morning Rest
Take a short break in the communal area, chat with other volunteers, and prepare for the next round of duties.11:00 AM – Enrichment & Maintenance Tasks
Support with basic shelter maintenance—mending fences, collecting feed, or building enrichment items like scratching posts or feeding puzzles for goats, dogs, or donkeys.1:00 PM – Lunch & Rest
Enjoy a self-prepared lunch at the volunteer bungalow and take some downtime in the shade.2:30 PM – Afternoon Animal Care
Help staff with any new arrivals, vet appointments, or additional feeding and grooming. You might assist with preparing for the Saturday community clinic or support outreach programs.4:00 PM – End-of-Day Checks
Refill water, double-check all shelters are secure, and ensure all animals are comfortable for the evening.Days Off
You’ll have one day off per week to relax or explore Zanzibar’s beaches, markets, and local culture. Staff can help recommend activities, and many volunteers take the opportunity to visit Stone Town, go snorkelling, or enjoy a spice tour.No two days are exactly the same. Whether you’re bottle-feeding a baby goat, helping with a mass dip-wash on clinic days, or comforting an injured donkey, you’ll be making a tangible difference every single day.
Your Impact as a Volunteer
By volunteering as an Animal Husbandry Assistant, you become a vital part of a small, hardworking team that cares deeply about animal welfare. Your daily efforts—whether you’re cleaning stables, feeding underweight animals, or simply offering comfort to a scared or injured goat—have an immediate and lasting impact.
Every task you complete helps restore dignity, health, and hope to animals that have been abandoned, abused, or overworked. Many of them arrive at the centre malnourished, dehydrated, or suffering from infections and wounds. With your support, they receive the care they need to heal—sometimes for the first time in their lives.
But your impact goes beyond the animals themselves. You’re also contributing to a broader culture shift in Zanzibar—helping to change attitudes toward animal treatment through education, example, and engagement.
Your presence supports local staff, strengthens community outreach efforts, and ensures the centre can continue providing free treatment to those who need it most.
This is more than just volunteering—it’s real, visible impact in a place where your compassion truly matters.
Your Home in Zanzibar
As a volunteer on the Animal Husbandry Program, you'll stay on-site in simple, shared accommodation located at the heart of the sanctuary. It’s a peaceful rural setting surrounded by trees, fields, and the sounds of the animals you’ll be helping each day.
Sleeping Arrangements
Shared volunteer bungalow accommodation
Basic rooms with single beds and mosquito nets
Fans provided for comfort
Modest furnishings to suit simple living
What’s Provided
Clean bed linens and pillows
Shared bathroom facilities with cold-water showers
Secure storage for valuables
Electricity and basic lighting
Access to a communal lounge and shaded outdoor areas
Meals & Nutrition
This is a self-catered program. Volunteers are responsible for buying and preparing their own meals, giving you full control over what you eat and when. Stone Town’s markets offer fresh local ingredients—seafood, fruit, vegetables, and spices—at very affordable prices. You’ll also find plenty of food stalls and restaurants nearby serving traditional Zanzibari dishes.The kitchen at the sanctuary is shared and equipped with basic cooking equipment. Most volunteers enjoy preparing meals together or heading into town to try the local flavours.
Sustainable Living
Life on the sanctuary is about simplicity and intention. Volunteers are encouraged to reduce plastic use, recycle where possible, and respect the natural environment. Limited Wi-Fi and minimal distractions make it easy to unplug, slow down, and focus on what really matters—compassion, connection, and care.History
This grassroots animal rescue centre was founded in response to the urgent need for better animal welfare on the island. With limited access to veterinary services and low public awareness around humane treatment, countless animals—donkeys, cows, goats, dogs, and cats—were being neglected, mistreated, or left without care.
Over time, the centre evolved into a fully operational rescue facility and veterinary clinic offering treatment, shelter, and community outreach. Today, it serves as a sanctuary for injured and abandoned animals while also hosting weekly public clinics where up to 50 animals may be treated in a single morning. No animal is ever turned away, and every effort is made to ensure they receive the care they need.
Mission & Vision
The mission is simple: protect, treat, and advocate for animals who have no voice. Through hands-on care, public education, and outreach, the centre strives to improve the health and wellbeing of animals while addressing deeper issues like overpopulation, abuse, and neglect.
The long-term vision is a Zanzibar where animals are respected and compassionately treated. This means creating access to veterinary care, educating the local population on responsible ownership, and reducing cruelty through awareness and engagement. Volunteer support plays a vital role in keeping this mission alive.
Program Fees & What’s Included
Program Fees
Duration Fee (EUR)
1 week €445
2 weeks €890
3 weeks €1,335
4 weeks €1,780
6 weeks €2,670
7 weeks €3,115
8 weeks €3,560
10 weeks €4,450
12 weeks €5,340
Payment Terms
Program fees are due 30 days before your start date.
If applying within 30 days of arrival, full payment is due within 48 hours of confirmation.
What’s Included
Your program fee includes the essentials you’ll need to live and work on-site safely and comfortably:
✅ Shared on-site accommodation in rural Zanzibar
✅ Orientation and guidance from experienced local staff
✅ Access to kitchen facilities and volunteer lounge✅ All placement activities and workshops
✅ Expert guidance and training
✅ Volunteer certificate of participation
✅ Support before, during, and after your trip
✅ 100% Cancellation Money-Back Guarantee
✅ So much moreYour Investment in Animal Welfare & Yourself
Your fees go directly toward keeping the rescue centre running—providing feed, vet supplies, shelter repairs, and community outreach programs. This is a fundraising-based NGO, and every euro you contribute has a direct impact.
At the same time, you’re investing in your own growth. You’ll gain real-world skills in animal care, deepen your understanding of global welfare issues, and build meaningful connections—with animals, people, and yourself. Whether this is a step toward a future in veterinary work or simply a powerful way to give back, the rewards go far beyond your time on the ground.
Where You’ll Be – Rural Sanctuary Life in Zanzibar
Your volunteer base is located just outside of Stone Town, in a peaceful rural area surrounded by open farmland, palm trees, and roaming animals. The setting is rustic and authentic, offering a chance to step away from city life and reconnect with nature.
You’ll be based directly on the grounds of the rescue centre, meaning you’re never far from the animals you’ll be helping. The area is quiet, safe, and filled with character—from the sound of donkeys braying at sunrise to the warm evening breeze under the mango trees. While the sanctuary feels remote, Stone Town is just a short drive away, giving you access to shops, cafés, markets, and cultural activities when needed.
The location strikes a perfect balance—immersed in nature and local life, yet close enough to explore Zanzibar’s most famous sites in your free time.
Zanzibar – The Spice Island of East Africa
Zanzibar is an island of contrasts—ancient and modern, laid-back and buzzing with life. Known as the “Spice Island,” it’s famous for its clove plantations, coral-fringed beaches, and rich blend of African, Arab, Indian, and European influences.
Wander through the UNESCO-listed streets of Stone Town, where carved wooden doors open into bustling courtyards and market alleys. Swim in turquoise waters, snorkel coral reefs, or take a dhow boat out at sunset. From the music to the architecture to the food, Zanzibar is a sensory experience like no other.
The climate is warm and tropical all year round, with coastal breezes keeping the air pleasant. Expect sunny days, occasional tropical showers, and beautifully warm evenings. Life moves slowly here—and that’s exactly the point.
Free time Activities
& Tours
When you’re not feeding donkeys or cleaning stables, Zanzibar opens up a world of adventure, culture, and relaxation. From white-sand beaches to spice farms and historic alleyways, your free time can be as laid-back or as exciting as you like.
Explore the Best of Zanzibar:
Stone Town Walking Tours – Wander the maze-like streets of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, rich with history, architecture, and culture.
Spice Farm Visits – Discover why Zanzibar is called the “Spice Island” with a guided tour of local farms growing cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and more.
Snorkelling & Diving in Mnemba Atoll – Swim alongside tropical fish, dolphins, and coral reefs in one of East Africa’s most vibrant marine zones.
Prison Island Excursion – Take a short boat ride to see Aldabra giant tortoises and explore the island’s colonial ruins.
Relax on Nungwi or Kendwa Beach – Crystal-clear water and soft sand await at these famous northern beach escapes.
Swahili Cooking Classes – Learn how to prepare local favourites like chapati, coconut curry, and pilau rice.
Sunset Dhow Cruises – Sail the coast on a traditional wooden boat as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean.
Jozani Forest Walks – Meet the rare Red Colobus monkeys and explore Zanzibar’s only national park.
Local Markets & Food Stalls – Try fresh fruit, sugarcane juice, and Zanzibari street food at Forodhani Gardens or Darajani Market.
Whether you’re looking to unwind, explore, or immerse yourself deeper in island life, Zanzibar’s free time options are unforgettable.
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