Animal Care

Animal Sanctuary

Animal Sanctuary provides a safe haven for animals rescued from across the country, offering a natural and humane environment free from abuse and neglect.

Love farm animals and cats and want to volunteer in Animal Care in Croatia – Split and on a beautiful Island just outside Split? Our Animal Care Program empowers volunteers to support a rural animal sanctuary on an Island and a dedicated cat shelter in Žrnovnica, just outside Split.

Volunteers gain hands-on experience caring for animals that have been rescued from neglect, abuse, or abandonment. By contributing time, energy, and compassion, you help ensure these animals receive the daily care, rehabilitation, and socialization they need to live safely and, where possible, find loving homes.

 

What to Expect:

Animal Care volunteers in Split and on the Island support two meaningful placements: a large Animal Sanctuary and a Cat Shelter focused exclusively on feline rescue and welfare

  • Daily Animal Care: Assist with bathing, brushing, and providing companionship to the animals through play, walks, and socialization.
  • Health Monitoring: Help measure and weigh the animals, ensuring their health is monitored and maintained.
  • Socialization Activities: Engage with the animals daily to help them become comfortable around people, providing them with fun and active time.
  • Adoption Promotion: Take photos and record videos of the animals to create an ID book, which helps promote their adoption.
  • Shelter Improvement: Contribute to the improvement of shelter conditions by taking care of green spaces and assisting with small construction projects, such as building dog runs and fences.

 

 

Animal Sanctuary – Island just in front of Split

Located on the beautiful Island just outside Split, the Animal Sanctuary provides a safe, natural, and humane environment for animals rescued from across Croatia. Many of the animals have experienced neglect or abandonment and now rely on consistent care and attention.The sanctuary is home to Donkeys, horses, ponies, pigs, sheep, goats, rabbits and cats.

 

Daily Tasks:

    • Animal Grooming: Bathe and brush dogs to keep them clean and healthy.
    • Companionship: Spend time playing, walking, and socializing with the animals, helping them adjust to human interaction.
    • Health Checks: Assist with measuring and weighing the animals, keeping track of their health status.
    • Adoption Support: Capture photos and videos to build profiles for each animal, aiding in their adoption process.
    • Shelter Maintenance: Help maintain and improve the shelter’s environment, including caring for green spaces and assisting with construction projects.

 

Cat Shelter – 20 minutes from Split city centre

The Cat Shelter is focused exclusively on rescuing and caring for cats. The shelter houses more than 20 cats at any given time, many of whom have been abandoned or rescued from difficult situations.

 

Daily Tasks:

  • Cleaning litter boxes and maintaining hygiene
  • Feeding cats
  • Companionship: Playing, socializing, and providing affection
  • Health Checks: Monitoring general health and behavior
  • Rescue activities: feeding stray cats, assisting with catching cats for sterilization programs, responding to rescue calls (for example, retrieving a cat stuck in bushes or unsafe areas)

 

 

Why Join?

  • Make an Impact: Provide essential care and love to abandoned animals, helping them find their forever homes.
  • Gain Experience: Develop skills in animal care, socialization, and shelter management while working with a passionate team.
  • Support ethical animal welfare in Croatia: Contribute to local efforts promoting responsible care, sterilization programs, and awareness about animal abandonment.
  • Cultural Immersion: Experience life in and around Split and the Island of Brač while contributing to a meaningful cause.

 

Ready to Care for Animals in Croatia?

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Included

  • Pick up at the international airport in Split & transfer to the accommodation on Sunday
  • Accommodation at a local hostel in female or mixed dormitory. Shared use of common areas, and free WIFI
  • Three meals a day everyday: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (Local style. Vegetarian, gluten-free and meals for lactose-intolerant are also available upon request)
  • Orientation event on arrival (including introduction to Croatia and its culture, volunteer experience, overview of programs, practical information, safety guidelines)
  • Guided city tour
  • The best tips to discover the city!
  • Allocation and coordination of a work placement in an impactful non-profit project
  • Introduction on the first day of volunteering
  • Ongoing support throughout the stay
  • 24h/7 emergency support personally or by phone
Book now

FAQ

What is the minimum age to participate in this program? 18

The minimum age to participate in this program is 18 years.

Do I have to pay money for volunteering?

You are not paying for your volunteer work itself but for your stay with us overall. The costs for your program further include various elements that are part of your stay such as your accommodation, food, transportation from the airport, guided city tour, local coordination and 24/7 support for emergencies. Check the "Included" section of the program you want to choose for complete information!

How and when do I need to pay for my volunteer program with ImpacTrip?

The payment of your volunteer program is done by bank transfer. We will kindly ask you to pay 50% of your bill at the time of your booking to secure your spot! The other 50% will be due at least one month before your arrival!

What is the accommodation like? Could I stay in a private room?

Depending on the program, in most cases, you will stay along with the other volunteers in dormitory-style rooms. Private rooms may be available at your accommodation as well for an extra cost.

Can I cook in the accommodation?

Yes, the hostel has an eqquiped kitchen where you can cook yourself with the only condition of cleaning everything used afterwards.

How much money should I bring to my program?

Once you've booked your program, be sure to reach out to your local coordinator to get the scoop on the cost of living in your destination—it can differ quite a bit! And don't forget to budget for public transportation, emergencies, airport drop-off, snacks, fun activities, and a bit of local shopping. Happy planning!

How many people will be I be volunteering with?

Depending on your program and project, you might be joined by other ImpacTrip volunteers, but usually, you’ll either be on your own or with local volunteers. It's a fantastic opportunity to connect with locals and immerse yourself in the community and its lifestyle!

In case of need, how do I get health care?

All volunteers must arrive with private health insurance that covers the costs of any health service that may arise in their program destination.
With this insurance you can be treated at any private or public medical center. The medical expenses will be paid by you and when you return to your country you will have to present all the invoices to your insurance so don't forget to budget medical emergencies.
In the case of European volunteers, to facilitate the process, it is advisable to come with your European Health Card.

Will I have time for some sight-seeing as well?

Of course! We want you to really get to know your natural and cultural surroundings and will provide you with useful tips and tricks that will help you discover the location of your stay like a local. 

Your shifts will generally last between 3 and 5 hours per day and will take place either in the morning, in the afternoon or in the evening, which will leave you with plenty of free time to go explore, take a stroll around your surroundings, catch the most important sites, interact with the locals or simply go and relax! And of course, you will have your weekends off as well!

Do I need to speak the local language?

No, you don't need to have any previous skills in the local language! All of our programs are run entirely in English and our guides and staff are all comfortable speaking English as well. However, we always encourage our participants to get acquainted with some of the most basic terms and expressions, as even just a simple "Good morning!" in the local language can be a great icebreaker to start interacting with the locals! There are also language lessons available for volunteers that can be booked before or upon arrival.

How and when do I get my volunteer certificate?

You can request your volunteer certificate to ImpacTrip or the local coordinator at the end of your program.