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Brilliant 4.72rating (254)

Animal Care and Shelter

location
1 - 4 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
Verified

Highlights

  • Help out at local animals shelters, who are in need of caring animal lovers to assist with the maintenance and care of unwanted animals.
  • Get involved with community education, outreach and adoption services.
  • Help care for the animals, and depending on experience, assist with procedures.

Highlights

  • Help out at local animals shelters, who are in need of caring animal lovers to assist with the maintenance and care of unwanted animals.
  • Get involved with community education, outreach and adoption services.
  • Help care for the animals, and depending on experience, assist with procedures.
  • Get involved in feeding, training, exercise, bathing, grooming and loving the animals, so they are ready for adoption.
  • Stay with a host family for an authentic experience!

  • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Many local animals shelters are in desperate need of caring animal lovers to assist with the maintenance and care of unwanted animals.

    PLEASE NOTE: Program closed in January 2026.

    The Animal Care Project in Fiji serves the purpose of caring for unwanted animals and helping to educate the local people about the importance of a animal care awareness including spay and neutering. You may be a pre-university student considering a career ...

    About the program

    PLEASE NOTE: Program closed in January 2026.

    The Animal Care Project in Fiji serves the purpose of caring for unwanted animals and helping to educate the local people about the importance of a animal care awareness including spay and neutering. You may be a pre-university student considering a career in veterinary medicine, an undergraduate, a qualified vet or animal lover.    What ever your skill level we have opportunities for you to get your hands dirty!

    Volunteers work at various animal shelters in around the Nadi / Lautoka area.  The veterinary doctors who work in the clinics will be able to share their knowledge and experience with you.  You will gain valuable general and specialist animal experience sure to boost your resume in a highly competitive field.

    When you volunteer with animals, you’ll assist with the general running of animal centres.  Feeding, training, exercise, bathing, grooming, and loving the animals will be your main tasks, however volunteers with specialist skills can get involved in procedures and operations.  There is always a need for administrative assistance in the office as well as marketing and advertising support campaigning and educational materials.  In conclusion, you will see first hand how the running of a animal shelter works.

    IMPORTANT: As we are a non-for-profit charity organisation, all volunteers are required to meet a minimum fundraising commitment in addition to the program fees, to assist with the running costs of our organisation. The fundraising commitment is FJD 200 if you are placed for one week, FJD 350 for two weeks and FJD 500 for placements of three weeks or longer. The fundraising commitment can be either a cash donation or alternatively supplies to the equivalent value.

    *Stays over over 4 weeks will need to be approved on a case-by-case basis.

    Location
    Nadi is the main tourist hub with lots of back-packers places and night life. It’s also well known for for Denerau Marina where many large 5 star resorts are and western style shopping. Denerau is the gateway to the Fiji islands, which is the most popular choice for most holiday goers’ to Fiji. We’ll likely take you here and show you around as part of the orientation or if you’re heading out to the remote island teaching placement.

    Lautoka, located 20 min north of Nadi, is a lovely and safe working class harbour city with many areas to explore (eg. hiking trails, mud pools etc). You will be spending time in the working class areas where the genuine needs exist.

    Project Tasks
    Daily Tasks include the following below
    – Cleaning out Kennels
    – Feeding Animals
    – Vaccinations
    – Operations and inspections
    – De-sexing education
    – Cuddling and caring for the animals
    – Applying ointment and oral medications
    – Adoptive services
    – Phone & administration

    Periodic Tasks may include the following below (only sometimes required) 
    – Sanitation projects
    – Helping to run a pet fair 
    – Training local people
    – To teach young people skills in animal care. (When required)
    – Work on the development of material on pet care and the marketing of pet care for example, developing (When required)
    – School visit packages (including posters and talks) you will find entertaining and interesting.  

    *Please note

    The distance from the Host Family to the Animal Shelter is 20km.  There is no direct bus Service from the Host Family to the Animal Shelter so there are a few options to get and from the Animal Shelter;

    1. Option 1 includes walking and catching the Bus which can take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes one way and will cost around $FJD4 one way.
    2. Option 2 is a combination of taxi and Bus which will cost you around FJD$15 one way and will take approximately 1 hour one way.
    3. Option 3 is door to door taxi service which will cost you FJD$30 one way and will take approximately 30 Minutes.

    Typical day

    7-8am – Breakfast and leave for volunteer project
    Break and lunch
    2-5pm – volunteering ends and then back to accommodation (you will volunteer for 4-6 hours each day)
    6-8pm – dinner

    Typical day

    7-8am – Breakfast and leave for volunteer project
    Break and lunch
    2-5pm – volunteering ends and then back to accommodation (you will volunteer for 4-6 hours each day)
    6-8pm – dinner


    Free-time activities

    Weekends are always free for relaxing or sightseeing of your choice. Our ground operators will help you organize additional trips with special (non tourist) rates which can be paid directly in local currency.

    Volunteers based in Nadi & Lautoka can choose from a wide variety of options with Nadi being ...

    Free-time activities

    Weekends are always free for relaxing or sightseeing of your choice. Our ground operators will help you organize additional trips with special (non tourist) rates which can be paid directly in local currency.

    Volunteers based in Nadi & Lautoka can choose from a wide variety of options with Nadi being the main tourist hub for Fiji and the Fijian Islands.

    Volunteers based in the Coral Coast can spend the weekends exploring Suva, visiting Colo-I-Suva or Mosquito Island and searching the craft and produce markets in Suva’s town centre. From Pacific Harbour you can organize activities, such as kayaking, white-water rafting, shark feeding, jet ski tours, zip lining and diving.

    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)

    Criminal Background Check

    required

    Required Documents

    Min fundraising requirement (see program info) and A Volunteer Visa is required for over 3 weeks duration

    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 and Friday

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    Return airport pickup/drop off
    Accommodation  (Home Stays – Sharing with other volunteers)
    2 meals p/day (Breakfast & Dinner)
    Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea daily
    Full day orientation & training + cultural sightseeing
    In country 24/7 coordination & emergency assistance
    Fundraising support
    University course credits (where applicable)
    Certificate of Completion    

    Airport Pickup at Nadi International Airport

    For home stay placements, arrival and departure airport transfers are included in the cost of your volunteer program for a pick-up from Nadi to the Nadi / Lautoka areas. 

    Transportation to/from your home stay to the placement each day is generally your responsibility, however your home stay family will assist you and ensure you receive local rates for any costs involved. We’ll place you as close as possible to the placement to limit daily travel times. Expect between 5-50 min each way for a small local transport fee.

    If arriving on the Saturday, you’ll need to book an extra nights accommodation in advance for an extra cost p/night, which includes meals. 

    Accommodation

    Enjoy living like a Fiji local. You’ll have your own single or twin share room within private, clean and safe western style homes. You will have a place to store your personal belongings, a private bathroom and toilet (where possible – not all placements include this), a fan and single mattress or double/queen if sharing with your partner. Some home stays have self contained flats separate from the main residence. You can choose this option if desired. Internet is usually not included with most volunteers purchasing a temporary 3G plan for their own device.


    Private Room Upgrade: please contact us directly for options and pricing

    *Please note: Upgrade prices can change, so please check the price with us first

    Food & Beverages

    Meals are included and served at the host family for breakfast and dinner with lunch on site. A typical day may consist of (subject to variation):

    Breakfast – cereal, bread, butter etc, tea, coffee, milo. Volunteers can make their own eggs should they wish.
    Lunch – Volunteers to prepare their own sandwich. Tuna, cold meat, salad, eggs. Some prefer to take left over dinner from the night before for lunch.
    Dinner – Cooked meal (eg. stews, soups, curries, fish, roast vegetables, taro, sweet potato, bread, rice etc.

    Internet Access

    Limited access at the project site
    You don't have to pay anything yet

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Nadi International Airport (NAN) in Nadi. We assist you to find cheap flights to Fiji. 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 Fiji provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

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

    Details on arrival

    Program starts every Monday. Arrivals on Sat/ Sun. If arriving on Sat, an extra night is charged.

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

    Program Fees

    $897 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

    Reserve your spot with just a few clicks and a small, secure deposit. You can pay by credit card, PayPal, or other convenient methods.


    Final Payment

    You’ll agree on the final payment method with your local organization during the application process. This final payment is only due closer to the start of your trip.

    You don't have to pay anything yet
    4.7
    Top Pick
    One of the top picks on Volunteer World, according to travelers
    2024
    "A fantastic and varied experience at the animal shelter with a welcoming team of colleagues. The shelter provides a meaningful opportunity ...
    Elke Wiget-Schwartz

    Animal Care and Shelter

    2023
    The volunteering was amazing!! I really enjoyed my time in Fiji working with all the staff members at Animals Fiji, they were all amazing ...

    Location

    Oceania > Melanesia > Fiji > Nadi

    Meet your project coordinator

    Lauren
    254
    reviews
    4.72
    Brilliant
    1989
    Founded

    Verified

      Very high response rate
    Spoken languages: English
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    Contact Lauren
      Very high response rate
    English

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    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

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