Animal Care

In the Animal Care program, you as an animal passionate and a supporter of animal rights, will have the opportunity to be integrated on a team that shares the same passion as you.

The Animal Care and Welfare Program in Croatia offers you the opportunity to work alongside a team of fellow animal lovers in supporting the welfare and protection of dogs and cats at a local shelter. Pet shelters play a critical role in Croatia, where a high number of cats and dogs are abandoned by their families for various reasons. These shelters are often overcrowded, making the contribution of volunteers essential to ensuring the animals receive the care and attention they need.

As a volunteer, your efforts will help to promote the health and well-being of the animals, giving them the best chance of being adopted into loving homes. The program also aims to raise awareness about animal abandonment and reduce future abandonment rates, while actively helping to find homes for stray animals.

 

What to Expect:

  • 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.

 

 

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.

 

 

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.
  • Cultural Immersion: Experience the culture of Croatia while contributing to a meaningful cause that supports animal welfare.

 

Ready to Care for Animals in Croatia?

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Included

  • Airport pickup on Sundays, straight to your accommodation
  • Stay in a socially or environmentally impactful hostel—female, male, or mixed dorms
  • Access to a common room and free Wi-Fi!
  • Three meals a day—veggie, vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free options available upon request
  • Orientation on arrival: culture, volunteering, program details, and safety
  • We’ll hook you up with an impactful non-profit project and handle the coordination
  • Guided city tour with top tips for exploring
  • Ongoing support throughout your stay
  • 24/7 emergency support, just in case
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.