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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 gain hands-on veterinary experience in a meaningful, real-world setting? Our Travel Roots Veterinary Assistant Program offers a rare opportunity to work alongside experienced local professionals treating animals who would otherwise go without care.
Based at a busy rural rescue centre, you’ll support daily clinical operations—assisting with routine procedures, emergency cases, and community outreach. The animals you’ll help include donkeys, cows, goats, dogs, cats, and sometimes even chickens or rabbits. Many arrive injured, malnourished, or suffering from long-term neglect.
Key Activities:
Assist with medical treatments, wound care, and dressing changes
Help prepare animals for spaying, neutering, or minor surgeries
Support veterinary staff during Saturday open clinics
Monitor animals during post-operative recovery
Maintain hygiene and sterilisation of equipment and clinic areas
Participate in dip-washing and parasite control programs
Assist in administering medications under supervision
Help log medical records and patient updates
This program is ideal for vet students, pre-vet applicants, or anyone passionate about animal health and welfare. While the work can be intense, you’ll learn by doing—gaining invaluable insight into veterinary care in a developing country where resources are limited and creativity is key.
Your help ensures more animals can be treated safely and humanely—and gives local veterinary staff much-needed support in their ongoing efforts.
By volunteering on our Veterinary Assistant Program in Zanzibar, you will:
Gain hands-on experience assisting with real-world veterinary cases
Work with a wide range of animals, from donkeys to dogs to goats
Support local vet staff during treatments, surgeries, and outreach work
Learn basic clinical procedures and post-op animal care
Participate in busy Saturday community clinics treating over 50 animals
Make a lasting impact on animal welfare in an underserved region
Build valuable pre-vet or career experience in a cross-cultural setting
Immerse yourself in island life while contributing to meaningful change
What to Expect: A Day in the Life of a Veterinary Assistant
This is a fast-paced and rewarding program where no two days are ever quite the same. You’ll assist with both planned and spontaneous veterinary tasks—ranging from simple check-ups to wound care, minor surgeries, or mass deworming efforts in the community.
Here’s what a typical day might look like:
7:30 AM – Morning Animal Check & Medication Rounds
Begin the day by checking on animals receiving treatment. Help administer morning medication, re-dress wounds, and ensure post-operative animals are recovering well.8:30 AM – Support with Feeding & Basic Care
Assist with feeding animals in the clinic area and monitor appetite and behaviour as part of ongoing recovery tracking. Help clean recovery pens and prepare the treatment space.10:30 AM – Vet Procedures & Prep Work
Support veterinary staff with the day’s planned procedures. This could include prepping animals for spaying or castration, helping to sterilise tools, and assisting during minor surgeries or treatments.1:00 PM – Lunch Break & Rest
Recharge with a self-cooked meal or enjoy a fresh bite in town. The afternoons often bring new admissions or emergencies.2:30 PM – Clinical Follow-Ups & Record Keeping
Return to the clinic to assist with afternoon treatments or monitor recovery cases. You may help update patient logs and prepare for the following day's procedures.4:00 PM – End-of-Day Checks
Support staff with final rounds—cleaning equipment, checking water supplies, and ensuring the treatment area is secure and animals are comfortable for the evening.Saturday Open Community Clinic
One of the week’s most dynamic events, this busy clinic sees over 50 animals brought in by local villagers. You’ll help with dip-washing for parasite control, first aid for wounds, vaccinations, and basic health assessments—an incredible learning opportunity and a chance to see veterinary care in action at scale.Days Off
You’ll have one day off per week to relax or explore the island. Many volunteers use this time to visit beaches, take a spice tour, or experience Stone Town’s cultural scene.Whether you’re assisting with surgery or helping a rescued goat walk again, your days will be filled with real impact and unforgettable moments.
Your Impact as a Volunteer
Volunteering as a Veterinary Assistant means becoming part of the frontline team that provides essential care to animals in need—many of whom would never receive treatment otherwise.
Every wound you clean, every animal you help recover from surgery, and every community clinic you assist with directly contributes to improved animal health and welfare across the region. In a place where veterinary resources are limited, your presence allows more animals to be seen, more lives to be saved, and more education to be shared.
Your efforts also help build local capacity. By supporting overstretched staff and engaging with local owners, you're helping to raise awareness around animal rights, reduce cruelty, and encourage preventative care through education and trust-building.
Beyond the clinical side, your impact is deeply personal. You'll witness recovery firsthand—from injured donkeys standing again to puppies wagging their tails post-treatment. It’s this tangible change, made possible by your time, care, and compassion, that leaves a lasting imprint—on the animals, the community, and you.
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 fee helps fund essential veterinary services in a region where many animals would otherwise go untreated. From surgeries and emergency care to weekly community clinics, your contribution directly supports animal health, outreach programs, and the everyday operations of the rescue centre.
At the same time, you’re investing in your own development—whether you’re exploring a future in veterinary medicine or simply want to make a meaningful difference. You’ll gain hands-on experience, learn by doing, and leave with real skills and real memories that shape your personal and professional path.
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.
When you’re not provide top care to the island animals, 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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