from 752€

Outstanding 4.9rating (40)
  • Life On Land

Vet Assistant

location
1 - 4 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
rating  Outstanding 4.9  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Moderate response rate

Highlights

  • Dive deep in to Zanzibar's culture, mingling with Masai people, as you help their animals
  • Project tailored to your knowledge and skills, we accept preclinical and clinical year students and vets.
  • Join spay and neuter campaigns and help vaccinate animals on the island
  • Learn from medical and surgical cases with a range of domestic and farm species
  • Spend weekends on the beach, snorkling with dolphins or exploring the jungle

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles
Couples

About the program

Volunteer on the tropical island of Zanzibar, helping the clinic with all aspects of their work. From surgery and nursing to re-homing and rehabilitation.

Sitting in the middle of a spice farm on the tropical island of Zanzibar, just off the coast of Tanzania, is the Zanzibar Veterinary Clinic. This project is for vet and nurse students and graduates who want to support the charitable effort to care for dogs, cats and farm animals on the island, ...

About the program

Sitting in the middle of a spice farm on the tropical island of Zanzibar, just off the coast of Tanzania, is the Zanzibar Veterinary Clinic. This project is for vet and nurse students and graduates who want to support the charitable effort to care for dogs, cats and farm animals on the island,  and learn from the busy caseload.

About the Clinic

The clinic is a hub of activity for local animals requiring treatment and no animal is turned away. Patients include donkeys, cows, goats, dogs, cats and birds. As a charitable non-government organisation the clinic aims to:

  • Establish care, support and animal protection services

  • Tackle the stray animal population

  • To stop animal overloading, beating, mishandling and animal cruelty.

  • Provide education and awareness to local communities

The clinic has been on the same site since 2010 and in 2020 a new building was erected to be able to increase the capacity for treating animals and provide a more modern facility. The clinic is the only one on the island and consists of a surgery room, consult room, kennels, cattery and paddocks for large animals. On any day there may be numerous dogs, cats, cows and donkeys resident at the clinic. The care of these animals is just one of the jobs our volunteers assist with when they are not busy helping the vet with consults and surgery.

As well as working on site at the clinic, you will also travel around the island treating animals in their homes, both those who belong to clients, and those who are strays but living well on the beaches. Every Saturday the clinic is inundated with local livestock and a few pets during the busy 'open hours', so it is all hands on deck vaccinating, dipping, treating and helping the animals.

Typical day

As always when working with animals everyday is different. However we can highlight key activities that you will encounter during your day to day:

Husbandry Work

  • Kennel cleaning

  • Dog walking and grooming

  • Maintenance of clinic and kennels

  • Building enrichment for the cattery

Veterinary work

  • Spays ...

Typical day

As always when working with animals everyday is different. However we can highlight key activities that you will encounter during your day to day:

Husbandry Work

  • Kennel cleaning

  • Dog walking and grooming

  • Maintenance of clinic and kennels

  • Building enrichment for the cattery

Veterinary work

  • Spays and castrates

  • Vaccination programs

  • Emergency call outs

  • Routine house visits

  • Busy Saturday "open clinics"

  • Changing bandages

  • Providing medication to animals on long term treatment

  • Bathing animals suffering with parasite or skin problems

  • Gain a knowledge of fluid therapy and anaesthetic monitoring

  • Develop skills in wound care and management

  • Develop clinical confidence by participating in consultations

  • Understand how to diagnose, manage and treat tick and midge borne diseases

  • Learn to triage emergency cases

 

There is only basic medical equipment available on Zanzibar, so the style of work is often a very new experience for people coming from first world countries. Anaesthesia is done using injectable drugs and the monitoring equipment is basic. There is no xray or ultrasound machine. 

Please be aware that this is a busy clinic is a genuine working charity, with a varied annual schedule and workload. We love hosting volunteers, and you will gain a lot of experience with us, however this is not a student or surgery training course. Come prepared to join in with all aspects of the work, and do not expect your days to be solely based around surgery. All the members of this team are willing to dig in and get their hands dirty with all aspects of animal care and we ask our volunteers to adopt the same attitude. No one here is above grooming dirty dogs, picking up poo or cleaning kennels when it needs to be done. Whilst it will not be the focus of your stay, a can-do attitude is important when working as part of a small team for the good of the animals.

At the clinic the animals always come first, so you may work very long days if we are in the middle of a sterilisation drive, or spend many hours on the road when animals in need are far away. Volunteers are encouraged to participate in all aspects of the project, including medicine, animal rescue and inpatient care. As with all placements, the more you put in to your time with us, the more you will get out of it. 

Free-time activities

We want to show you the very best of Zanzibar! 

Stone Town in Zanzibar is a historically rich and culturally vibrant destination that offers a variety of activities for visitors during their free time. Here are some popular activities you can consider while exploring Stone Town: 

Historical Walking ...

Free-time activities

We want to show you the very best of Zanzibar! 

Stone Town in Zanzibar is a historically rich and culturally vibrant destination that offers a variety of activities for visitors during their free time. Here are some popular activities you can consider while exploring Stone Town: 

Historical Walking Tours

Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its unique blend of Swahili, Arab, Persian, and Indian architecture. Take a guided walking tour to explore the narrow winding streets, historic buildings, and landmarks like the House of Wonders, Old Fort, and Sultan's Palace. 

Zanzibar is famous for its spices, and you can embark on a spice tour to learn about the island's rich history of spice cultivation. You'll get to see various spice plants, learn about their uses, and even taste some freshly prepared local dishes. 

Visit the Forodhani Night Market

In the evening, head to the Forodhani Gardens for the night market. You can enjoy a variety of freshly grilled seafood, local snacks, and Swahili dishes while taking in the views of the Indian Ocean. 

Stone Town has a vibrant market scene where you can shop for local crafts, textiles, spices, and unique handmade items. The Darajani Market is a great place to explore for fresh produce and spices. 

Prison Island (Changuu Island)

Take a boat trip to Prison Island, known for its historic prison and the giant tortoises that inhabit the island. You can learn about the island's history and enjoy some snorkeling or relaxation on the beach. 

Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level)

Education Requirements

Vetirinary at Pre-clinical and Clinical Year level

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Worldwide Vets

Want to know what’s included? Great news, it is pretty much everything! Including your:

  • Pre-departure assistance

  • All airport collection and returns 

  • All accommodation 

  • 24 hour support on every project and at the volunteer accommodation by onsite staff


OUR PRICES EXCLUDE:

  • Food

  • Visa

  • Medical and travel insurance

  • Flights to and from Zanzibar

Airport Pickup at Zanzibar International Airport

This project starts every Sunday the year. Volunteers arrive on Sunday and depart on Saturday. You will be picked up from Zanzibar airport. Alternative start dates can be accommodated with advance planning.

Accommodation

The clinic is based on a spice farm, surrounded by local villages, close to the main road that heads from Stone Town to the North of the island. It takes 30 minutes by bus to get  to Stone Town. Volunteer accommodation is right next to the clinic, so  there is no commute to work apart from walking past a few palm trees and  grazing cows and donkeys. The clinic has two round buildings (called ‘rondavels’) which are the local style of building on Zanzibar. 

  • Each has two single beds and an en-suite bathroom. 
  • There is also a larger house which has two bedrooms and shared bathrooms. 
  • Rooms are same sex unless you are coming with a partner. 
  • All rooms have mosquito nets, bedding and towels. 
  • The house has a bright shared living room and kitchen where volunteers can relax, cook and watch TV in the evenings.


You are responsible for buying and  preparing your own meals each day. Within walking distance from the  clinic there are a couple of small shops selling basic items (drinking  water, soda and basic food like fruit and bread. Local busses run regularly from the end of our drive and cost 500Tsh  (20 pence) to Stone Town. Here it is very  easy to buy all the food you require including fresh sea food, meat and  vegetables in both open air markets and supermarkets. On night when you don’t feel  like cooking, why not treat yourself to dinner at a rooftop restaurant,  or a cocktail on the beach, as you live as a local on one of the most  beautiful islands in the world.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Food & Beverages

Food, snacks or beverages are at extra costs.

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ) in Zanzibar. We assist you to find cheap flights to Tanzania. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Tanzania provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Tanzania you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Tanzania. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

This project starts every Sunday the year. Volunteers arrive on Sunday and depart on Saturday. You will be picked up from Zanzibar airport. Alternative start dates can be accommodated with advance planning.

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

1 week (min. stay) 752€
2 weeks 1,198€
3 weeks 1,645€
4 weeks (max. stay) 2,091€
Average fees 637€/week

Program fees

637€ per week 1 - 4 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES

Duration

1 - 4 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.

Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Worldwide Vets during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

Meet your organization

Worldwide Vets

Outstanding 4.9 rating (40 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 2006

Verified by Volunteer World

  Moderate response rate

Coordinated by

Gemma

Spoken languages: English

About the project

Our goal is to improve animal welfare worldwide by providing volunteers to help vets and vet nurses working with wildlife and domestic animals.

Meet your organization

As an organisation, our goal is simple. Improve animal welfare around the world. Anyone can volunteer with us, you do not need to be a vet or vet student, although many of our courses are very popular with such applicants. 

We offer a multi-modal approach to assisting animals, including:

  • Running volunteer opportunities for you to help or study abroad.
  • Sponsoring vets to visit areas needing support.
  • Providing medications and surgical equipment
  • Training local vets and technicians.

By volunteering with us you will gain hands on experience with animals, learn new skills and give something back. For those considering a career in medicine or nursing, this is a great way to understand more about the career path and see if it is right for you. It provides industry relevant experience and is a wonderful addition to your CV, making you stand out when you apply to your chosen college or university. Those already studying animal and medical courses can gain credits and count their trip as work experience (including EMS or CEMS). Most importantly you can learn a huge range of new concepts and develop your skills and confidence in a friendly and encouraging environment.


Worldwide Vets is registered in the UK, with our administrative head office close to London, England. The real hub of our work is much further away, with vet clinics and conservation projects in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zanzibar, Ghana, Thailand, India, Cambodia, Peru, and Costa Rica, to name just a few. We welcome volunteers to join our mission and contribute to the role we play. Doing so is a great way to give something back to the world around you, saving innocent lives, alleviating poverty and playing your part in sustaining the natural and cultural planet we know today.  

 

 


 

 

40 reviews · rating4.9

Alisha rating5

2023 at Vet Assistant

Dr. Charles is the heart and soul of this project and he is awesome. He always look out for everyone and makes sure everyone is happy. I think the project is perfect for everyone who is in last years of vet school or just finished as most of the time you will learn basic care of animals, like ...
Kymberlee Nalumaluhia rating5

2023 at Vet Assistant

I am honored to have had the opportunity to work with Dr. Campling and Worldwide Vets on Zanzibar, Tanzania. Boots on the ground, shoulder to shoulder, this organization delivers! I am a Masters degree candidate in “Shelter Medicine” with the University of Florida. I met Gemma just a few months ...
Stephanie Fisher rating4.8

2024 at Wildlife Vet Assistant

This trip was more than I ever anticipated. I wasn’t entirely sure what I was going to be able to do before I left, but the entire experience was very hands on. The vet was very trusting in our abilities and let us do things based on our comfort zones and taught us to do new things. I got to ...
Charlie Wijnbergen rating5

2024 at Equine Vet Assistant

Very rewarding experience. Jill has set up an amazing place, doing so much good for any animal coming through the gates. ...
Kassidy Doherty rating5

2023 at Wildlife Vet Assistant

I went to Costa Rica and it was amazing! Natuwa Wildlife Sanctuary made me feel safe and Dr. Mora (the vet that lives on site) taught me many things in my stay! He is a talented veterinarian and knows what he is doing. It was a great experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I believe this ...
Alice rating5

2023 at Wildlife Vet Assistant

I have just returned from the Wildlife Internship in Costa Rica. I had the best 2 weeks ever! Everyone was incredible welcoming and supportive. The team's passion for animals was obvious and made the work even more meaningful. The internship was incredibly hands on and greatly helped me improve on ...

Location

Africa > Eastern Africa > Tanzania > Stone Town

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Contact Gemma
  Moderate response rate
English

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