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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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Our Veterinary Volunteer Program in Laos offers a rare opportunity to work on the front line of wildlife conservation, supporting a fully operational wildlife hospital within a rescue centre.
This program is designed for veterinarians, veterinary nurses/technicians, and veterinary students looking to gain real, hands-on experience in wildlife medicine while contributing directly to the care and rehabilitation of rescued animals.
At the heart of the program is a state-of-the-art wildlife hospital, opened in December 2024. This modern facility is equipped to treat a wide range of native Lao wildlife (excluding elephants) and features advanced equipment to ensure the highest standards of care. The hospital also includes viewing areas into procedure, laboratory, and necropsy rooms, offering unique insight into the full scope of wildlife veterinary work.
As a volunteer, you will work closely alongside the veterinary team, supporting both routine and emergency care. Your role is dynamic and immersive, giving you exposure to real clinical situations in a conservation setting.
Your Responsibilities May Include:
Assisting with daily health checks and monitoring of animals
Supporting the care of animals in quarantine and hospital areas
Assisting with treatments for both inpatients and outpatients
Shadowing and assisting the veterinary team during procedures and surgeries
Supporting emergency cases and unexpected wildlife intakes
Maintaining medical records and assisting with data management
Helping with inventory management and overall clinic organisation
There is no fixed daily schedule within the hospital, as priorities shift depending on the needs of the animals. Volunteers typically work from 07:00 to 16:00, however flexibility is essential. Emergency rescues, critical care cases, and new arrivals can occur at any time, requiring immediate attention.
You will also experience working within a team that is actively focused on developing and empowering local veterinary professionals. Alongside an experienced lead veterinarian, you will work with a local Lao veterinarian who is undergoing continuous training. This creates a unique learning environment, where knowledge sharing, communication, and teamwork are central to the program.
On certain days, you may be supervised by the local veterinarian, providing an opportunity to further develop your adaptability and collaboration skills in a real-world setting.
This is a fast-paced, hands-on experience where no two days are the same — offering genuine insight into wildlife medicine, conservation challenges, and the realities of working in a rescue centre environment.
By volunteering on our Veterinary Volunteer Program in Laos, you will:
✅ Gain hands-on experience working alongside a professional wildlife veterinary team
✅ Assist with real medical cases, treatments, and health monitoring of rescued animals
✅ Experience the fast-paced and unpredictable nature of a working wildlife hospital
✅ Develop practical skills in wildlife medicine and conservation
✅ Work with both international and local veterinary professionals
✅ Learn the importance of husbandry in preventing illness and supporting recovery
✅ Contribute directly to the care and rehabilitation of endangered species
✅ Build confidence, adaptability, and teamwork in a real-world setting
What to Expect: A Day in the Life of An Veterinary Volunteer
No two days are ever the same on our Veterinary Volunteer Program in Laos. Working within a wildlife rescue centre means your schedule can shift quickly depending on the needs of the animals.
A typical day may begin with routine tasks such as health observations, preparing treatments, or assisting with basic checks. As the day unfolds, you may be called to support unexpected rescues, assist with intake exams, or help prepare for more complex procedures.
Example Day
08:00 – Begin the day with team briefings and animal checks
Morning – Assist with routine exams, treatments, and health monitoring
Midday – Support the team with data entry, medical records, or ongoing care tasks
Afternoon – Help with new intakes, emergency cases, or surgical preparation
Throughout the day – Observe animal behaviour and support overall welfare
One day each week, you will also work alongside the husbandry team. This provides valuable insight into animal care, behaviour, and how proper husbandry helps prevent illness and supports long-term rehabilitation.
You may also:
Assist during surgeries and medical procedures
Conduct basic lab work such as fecal exams
Support monitoring of animals in recovery
Work with systems such as ZIMS for medical data
This is a fast-paced, hands-on environment where flexibility is key. You’ll be constantly learning, adapting, and gaining real experience in wildlife veterinary care.
Your Impact As A Volunteer
As part of our Veterinary Volunteer Program in Laos, your role directly supports the health, recovery, and long-term survival of rescued wildlife.
Every animal that arrives at the centre requires immediate attention, ongoing care, and careful monitoring. By assisting the veterinary team, you help ensure that each animal receives the treatment and support it needs to recover.
Your impact may include:
Supporting medical treatments, health checks, and daily monitoring
Assisting with the care of injured, sick, or orphaned animals
Helping maintain high standards within a working wildlife hospital
Contributing to accurate medical records and data management
Supporting both emergency cases and long-term rehabilitation efforts
You will also play a role in strengthening the wider mission of the centre by working alongside local veterinary professionals. This collaboration helps build local capacity, share knowledge, and support the ongoing development of wildlife care in the region.
While the work can be challenging and unpredictable, your contribution is meaningful and immediate — helping give animals the best possible chance of recovery and, where possible, release back into the wild.
This is real, hands-on impact at the heart of wildlife conservation.
Your New Home in Laos
During your time on our Veterinary Program in Laos, you will stay in shared bungalow accommodation located onsite at the wildlife rescue centre.
The bungalows are set within a natural, forested environment and house a maximum of two volunteers per room. Wherever possible, rooms are arranged as single-sex, with exceptions made for couples or friends.
Each bungalow includes:
Beds with fresh linen provided
Electrical outlets and fans
Fully screened windows for mosquito protection
A private porch area with a hammock
Shared bathroom facilities are available nearby, with western-style toilets and hot showers.
Meals
You will receive three meals per day throughout your stay:
Breakfast (self-prepared using provided ingredients)
Lunch and dinner (fresh, hot meals provided daily)
All meals are vegetarian, and dietary requirements can be accommodated if communicated in advance. Clean drinking water is available onsite at all times.
Additional Facilities
Onsite laundry facilities (detergent provided)
Wi-Fi available in communal areas
Access to a shared volunteer space for relaxing and socialising
Unlimited access to a nearby eco-resort infinity pool
Living conditions are comfortable but simple, designed to immerse you in the environment while keeping focus on the experience, the work, and the community around you.
History
Our trusted partner in Laos is a pioneering force in wildlife conservation, originally established as the country’s first fully inclusive, locally registered wildlife rescue and rehabilitation organisation.
Working in close collaboration with the Lao government, the project evolved from the former national zoo into a purpose-driven conservation centre—shifting its focus toward wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, education, and actively tackling the illegal wildlife trade at its roots.
In 2023, the organisation faced a major turning point, with the need to relocate from its original site. While challenging, this became a powerful opportunity to reimagine what conservation in Laos could look like. The team successfully relocated the entire operation—including hundreds of rescued animals—to a new site near a protected National Park.
This transition has allowed for the development of modern, purpose-built facilities that better reflect the scale of their mission—creating a space where rescue, rehabilitation, education, and research come together in one unified, forward-thinking model.
Today, the centre continues to grow as a leading voice in wildlife protection across Laos, driving meaningful, long-term change for both animals and local communities.
Mission & Vision
To safeguard Laos’ wildlife by addressing the illegal wildlife trade at its roots—through education, awareness, and enforcement. The organisation works collaboratively with local and international stakeholders to prevent exploitation, while rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing affected animals wherever possible.
Through capacity building, community outreach, and conservation action, their mission is to create lasting, sustainable change for both wildlife and the people who live alongside it.
Vision
A thriving Laos where biodiversity is protected, animal welfare is respected, and conservation is embraced as part of the nation’s identity.
Their Work Focuses On:
Rescuing animals from the illegal wildlife trade and exploitation
Rehabilitating and releasing wildlife back into natural habitats
Providing lifelong sanctuary for animals unable to return to the wild
Strengthening wildlife protection through enforcement and collaboration
Delivering education and awareness within local communities
Advancing conservation, research, and long-term environmental sustainability
Program Fees
Duration Fees (€)
1 Week €690
2 Weeks €1,081
3 Weeks €1,472
4 Weeks €1,863
5 Weeks €2,254
6 Weeks €2,645
7 Weeks €3,036
8 Weeks €3,427
9 Weeks €3,818
10 Weeks €4,209
11 Weeks €4,600
12 Weeks €4,991
13 Weeks €5,382
14 Weeks €5,773
15 Weeks €6,164
16 Weeks €6,555
Important Things To Note: All programs include a Travel Roots Service & Support Fee in addition to the listed program fee. This helps cover the support we provide before, during, and after your placement, including application guidance, partner coordination, pre-departure preparation, welcome pack support, and ongoing assistance throughout your journey.
Payment Terms
• Program fees are due 60 days before your start date
• If applying within 60 days of arrival, full payment is due within 48 hours of confirmation
What’s Included
Your program fees cover everything you need for a safe, enriching, and impactful experience:
✅ Supervision and training by experienced staff
✅ On-site accommodation and facilities (laundry, Wi-Fi, hot showers)
✅ 24-hour onsite support
✅ Three meals per day
✅ Unlimited access to nearby eco-resort infinity pool
✅ Volunteer T-shirt
✅ Airport pick-up and drop-off from Vientiane (capital city)
✅ Direct contribution to wildlife rescue and animal welfare
✅ Discounted access to eco-resort activities (ziplining, canopy walk, etc.)
✅ Community experiences including local culture, markets, waterfalls, night walks, weaving, and organic farming
✅ Welcome pack full of necessary and useful information
✅ Full support before, during, and after your program
✅ Fair & Flexible Refund Policy
✅ A personal investment in your growth, with transferable skills, hands-on experience, and real-world learning
✅ So much moreWhat’s Excluded
✖️ Flights
✖️ Visa costs (if required)
✖️ Travel insurance
✖️ Personal expenses
✖️ Additional tours or activities
✖️ Vaccinations (if required)
Your Investment in Veterinary Care, Wildlife Welfare & Yourself
Joining our Veterinary Program in Laos is far more than just a travel experience — it’s a meaningful investment in animal welfare, veterinary conservation, and your own personal and professional development. Working alongside experienced veterinary and animal care teams, you’ll gain valuable hands-on insight into the treatment, rehabilitation, and wellbeing of rescued wildlife and domestic animals in Southeast Asia.
From assisting with health checks and enrichment to supporting daily clinical and rehabilitation routines, your contribution helps improve the lives of vulnerable animals while supporting ethical veterinary care and long-term conservation efforts.
Your program fees directly support:
• Veterinary treatment and medical care for rescued animals
• Daily feeding, rehabilitation, and animal welfare support
• Ethical wildlife rescue and veterinary conservation operations
• Local employment, veterinary training, and community outreach
• Improvements to medical equipment, facilities, and animal enclosuresThis program gives you the opportunity to build practical veterinary and animal care experience while becoming part of a passionate mission dedicated to protecting and improving animal welfare in Laos.
Where You'll Be: Xiengletha Village, Laos
Your placement takes place in Laos, a country often described as one of Southeast Asia’s last true hidden gems. Untouched landscapes, rich biodiversity, and deeply rooted traditions create an environment that feels authentic, peaceful, and far removed from mass tourism.
You will be based in a rural, forested region where conservation is not just a concept — it’s a daily reality. Surrounded by jungle, wildlife, and local communities, this is a setting that allows you to fully disconnect from modern distractions and reconnect with nature in its purest form.
About Laos
Laos offers a slower, more mindful way of life. It’s a country where time feels less rushed, people are welcoming, and nature still plays a central role in everyday living.
Language: Lao (English spoken within the program)
Currency: Lao Kip (LAK)
Climate: Tropical – warm year-round with a rainy season from May to October
Time Zone: GMT+7
The Experience
Living and volunteering here is about immersion. Expect to step into a completely different rhythm of life — one that is simple, grounded, and incredibly rewarding.
Wake up surrounded by jungle sounds and fresh forest air
Work closely within a real wildlife rescue environment
Experience local culture through nearby villages and community interactions
Spend time exploring natural landscapes, from waterfalls to forest trails
This isn’t a polished, tourist-heavy destination — and that’s exactly what makes it so special.
It’s raw, real, and deeply connected to nature.
If you’re looking for comfort zones and convenience, this may not be it. But if you’re looking for perspective, purpose, and a genuine connection to the world around you — there are few places like it.
Free time Activities
& Tours
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While your days will be focused on meaningful conservation work, your free time offers the chance to explore, unwind, and fully experience life in this unique part of Laos.
Surrounded by jungle and local communities, there’s plenty to discover — whether you’re looking for adventure, culture, or simply time to relax.
In Your Free Time, You Can:
Explore nearby waterfalls and natural swimming spots
Relax at the eco-resort infinity pool next door
Join optional activities such as ziplining and canopy walks
Visit local villages and markets to experience authentic Lao culture
Take part in community activities like drum making and traditional weaving
Enjoy guided night walks and experience the jungle after dark
Spend time on the organic farm, learning about local food systems
Unwind with fellow volunteers through social activities like karaoke evenings
There is also the opportunity to travel further afield during your time off, exploring more of Laos’ landscapes, culture, and hidden gems.
Free time here isn’t about ticking off tourist attractions — it’s about experiencing something real, slowing down, and making the most of where you are.
