Help look after man's
best friend in Tanzania
Provide care & love to dogs whilst immersing yourself within the Maasai
-
Duration
1-24 weeks -
Accompanied age
5+ -
Minimum age
17+ -
Start dates
1st & 3rd Saturday -
From
$275
-
Duration
1-24 weeks -
Accompanied age
5+ -
Minimum age
17+ -
Start dates
1st & 3rd Saturday -
From
$275
Tanzania Dog Sanctuary
Quicklinks
When you think of Tanzania, African wildlife and world class safaris quickly comes to mind. But it is Tanzania’s domestic animals that need our help most. As in many countries around the world, the unfortunate reality is that domestic and farm animals are often abused and abandoned. In a country where many locals are suffering at the hand of poverty, domestic animals are sadly not prioritised for their welfare.
You will have the opportunity to spend time within our purpose built dog sanctuary, helping to look after, train and eventually re-home any dog that is in need. Not only this, but you will be able to immerse yourself in the culture of Tanzania as you spend time working along side the unique Maasai. With their iconic brightly coloured wraps and their distinctive dances, interacting with the Maasai is as every bit as memorable as any landscape or big five encounter.
Everyone will have ample opportunity to explore everything this amazing country has to offer as well. Tanzania is one of our most popular destinations, not only for our worthwhile programmes, but because of all of the things you can see and do in your free time! From searching for the big five on safari to relaxing on the golden beaches in Zanzibar, to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to swimming under waterfalls – you will not want to leave!
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Background to the dog sanctuary
Unfortunately, there are many dogs in Tanzania that are severely neglected, especially in the more rural areas around Moshi & Kilimanjaro – where our volunteer programmes are based. There are a growing number of dogs roaming the streets that go unfed, untreated and unloved.
As you drive around Moshi and the surrounding countryside, you will come across many sick, starving, and injured dogs who limp aimlessly along rubbish-strew roads looking for scraps of food in a desperate struggle to survive. With many dogs being unhealthy, they are more susceptible to diseases such as rabies, which in turn makes the locals fear them and treat them even worse.
To tackle this huge and ever-growing street dog population, the government have in recent years started shooting stray dogs within local communities. What is even worse, is that the local community need to pay for this service from the government, which has resulted in dogs being euthanized by locals – creating even worse scenarios for these helpless dogs.
We cannot stand by and watch this happen and so our local team have started a non-profit organisation called the Tanzania Animal Rescue. With the help and funds from volunteers like you, we can help save and rehabilitate as many dogs as possible!
Where will I be volunteering?
Started in 2023, the local team have created a non-profit organisation called the Tanzania Animal Rescue. The volunteer programme aims to provide immediate intervention, by rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing as many dogs as possible.
The purpose built dog sanctuary is located within the Maasai village, around 30 minutes from the volunteer accommodation. Eventually the dog sanctuary will be able to house and look after upwards of 100 dogs at a time, ensuring each and every dog's life within our care is transformed.
The local team believe that dogs deserve:
- Freedom from hunger and thirst
- Freedom from discomfort
- Freedom from pain, injury or disease
- Freedom to express normal behaviour
- Freedom from fear and distress
On top of looking after and rehabilitating as many dogs as possible, the programme aims to spay / neuter and provide rabies vaccinations to all street dogs in the local area. Not only this, but the local team and volunteers will use education as the foundations to a long term and sustainable solution to ensure street dog populations decline.
What is my role?
This is your change to play a vital role within the early stages of our street dog rescue and sanctuary programme.
Be prepared to get dirty, as you spend your days caring for the dogs and providing maintenance within our sanctuary. You and other volunteers will provide much needed assistance and funds to provide care for all dogs within our care and to extend our reach to even more animals in need. You will provide a major contribution to the welfare of animals in the city and no two days will be the same. You will get to contribute in many ways including:
- Preparing food and feeding the dogs
- Cleaning kennels, enclosures and outdoor areas
- Ensuring all dogs have received any required medication
- Walking, excising & training the dogs
- Sitting and interacting with the dogs, ensuring each and every dog feels loved and wanted
- Assisting with transport of dogs to and from the sanctuary, vet appointments and adoption events
- Helping with paperwork and record keeping
- Planning and co-ordinating events to raise awareness and funds for the project
- Providing education within the local schools and kindergarten
What will a typical day look like?
You will be expected to volunteer from Monday to Friday between 8:30am and 1pm.
Once you have finished your placement for the day, all volunteers (across all programmes) always meet back at the accommodation and spend the rest of the day together. There are always activities organised each week, including hikes through the jungle to waterfalls, relaxing at the hot springs, group bike rides, painting lessons and more!
Transport to and from the sanctuary is included within the programme fee and is provided by tuk tuk or private car. The journey takes around 25 minutes, depending on traffic.
Where will I be staying?
You will be staying within our volunteer house just five minutes from the centre of the tourist town of Moshi. We cannot think of a better base for your stay in Tanzania, where you will have access to all of the local amenities as well as enjoy spectacular views out to the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro from your bedroom window.
During your free time, you can easily head out on safari in search of the famous Big Five, relax on the golden sandy beaches in beautiful Zanzibar, climb Mount Kilimanjaro (or just look in awe from it’s base!) or trek through the rainforest to find hidden waterfalls.
Other things to consider
Early stages – The programme is in it’s early stages, where we are currently looking after around 10 dogs. As the project gains more volunteers and therefore funding, we will be able scale up as quickly as possible.
Helping on multiple projects - Whilst in Tanzania, you will also have the opportunity to assist with our childcare and teaching programmes for no additional costs. All of our programmes in Tanzania are located in the same region and everyone shares the same accommodation.
Weekends and free time - You will have every weekend off from volunteering and this is the perfect time to explore everything this beautiful country has to offer. You are more than welcome to simply relax around the accommodation and amenities in Moshi, but most volunteers will use this time to travel and see the country. Further down this page you will come across many suggestions and ideas on where you could go. Alternatively, if you are looking to see as much of the country as possible during this time, travel with other volunteers and be accompanied by one of our local team members, then you may be interested in one or more of the organised weekend trips we run.
Further Information
