Volunteering at Animal Shelters in Ireland - Take care of dogs, horses and donkeys

Studies have shown that more than two-thirds of all Irish households own either a dog or a cat. Racing and sport horses from Ireland are known worldwide. At the same time, however, Ireland has many stray dogs, and racehorses have a definite expiration date and then end up in a sanctuary.

Working with animals in Ireland is diverse and multifaceted! We enable volunteer placements in various facilities:

Dog Shelters: Ireland is struggling with a large stray dog problem. Even though the Irish government is committed to responsible pet ownership and the number of stray dogs has been reduced by 50% since 2004, thousands of homeless dogs still end up in Ireland's animal shelters annually. We work with dog shelters that care for abandoned, abused, or neglected dogs, nurse them back to health, and try to find new homes for them.

Shelters for Horses, Donkeys, and Ponies: The Green Isle is known worldwide for its horse industry. However, at the end of their competition careers, there is often no further use for the animals. We work with various animal shelters and sanctuaries that specialize in horses, donkeys, and ponies. These facilities are usually run unpaid by local volunteers and financed by donations and membership fees. As a volunteer, you make an important contribution to maintaining the irreplaceable work of these facilities.

Pet Shop and Pet Groomer: In an Irish pet store chain, you take on important tasks such as cleaning cages, aquariums, and terrariums, changing water, and feeding the animals. You also advise customers on all questions about pets. If you are interested in dog grooming, you can help out in the attached dog salons and learn the craft of dog grooming from scratch. Further services include treatments against fleas, ticks, and worms, as well as professional pet nutrition counseling.

Please note that this is a voluntary and unpaid position.