Volunteer Abroad Thailand: Ko Lanta Animal Welfare
Join this project to make an active contribution to animal conservation by caring for stray dogs and cats on the island district of Ko Lanta in Southern Thailand. Several of the animals were left behind by workers who helped to rebuild the island after the devastating tsunami in 2004. This project is dedicated to providing safety and care for needy dogs and cats. Become part of a team of volunteers and get ready for enriching experiences as you take care of animals every day.
Highlights
- Join a dedicated animal welfare project in Southeast Asia
- Become involved in protecting stray cats and dogs on Thailand’s beautiful island of Ko Lanta
- Work together with volunteers from all over the world
- Experience unforgettable moments in the daily animal care
- Witness Ko Lanta’s untouched beauty
Locations
Plan your trip
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Included in the programme fee
- Placement in the programme
- Assistance with travel arrangements
- Assistance with selecting travel insurance
- Assistance with booking flights
- Risk coverage certificate
Chrissy, your travel agent for Thailand
You are interested in joining this adventure? I am happy to help you! From the first steps until the end of the trip – I answer all of your questions and support you throughout your time abroad.
Animal welfare volunteering in Thailand
As a volunteer in this programme you get the chance to become actively involved in animal welfare on Thailand’s beautiful island of Ko Lanta and to dedicate yourself to protecting street dogs and cats in need.
Arrival and orientation on Ko Lanta
In order to get adjusted to the suptropical climate and the time shift, we ask you to travel to Thailand a few days before the project starts. Our team is happy to advise you on routes and accommodation options and to help you plan your stay.
To get to Ko Lanta, you need to book a flight to Bangkok, then take a connecting flight to Krabi, Trang or Phuket, which you can probably book so that it leaves just a few hours after you have arrived in Bangkok. When the plane arrives in Krabi you can either continue by bus to Ko Lanta or the project management will organise a private taxi for you. Within two hours you will be in Ko Lanta, during which time you will have made two ferry crossings. Alternatively you can fly to Trang or Phuket and continue from there by bus and ferry to Ko Lanta. You should reckon on at least five hours for this part of the journey. After your arrival you can meet the team and learn more about the project, its aim and the upcoming tasks.
Volunteer activities during the animal welfare project
Doing voluntary service in the animal protection project on Ko Lanta is an exciting experience: no two days are the same and the international participants fulfil a wide range of duties. You will take the dogs for walks on the beach, play with kittens and wash the animals.
You will soon have a good relationship with them as you will also feed them and administer medication. Other typical tasks involve cleaning the centre and scouring the island for more animals in need. The animal welfare centre also has a veterinary practice which works on a charitable basis. If you are a prospective or trained vet, then you can help here too.
You work on six days a week with different shifts. Once per week you have a night shift between 7pm and 7am. Your typical day shifts vary between a very early one and a late one (7am until 1pm and 1pm until 7pm).
Accommodation as a volunteer in Southeast Asia
The aid programme in Ko Lanta provides you with accommodation which you will share with someone else of the same sex. A much appreciated refreshment in the Thai heat are the cold showers in the accommodation. The room is equipped with a ventilator. Bed linen is provided but you must take your own towels. The very basic accommodation is directly on site and has a WLAN connection. During the project you'll be provided with breakfast and lunch in a nearby restaurant five days a week (Monday through Friday). At the weekend and in the evening you need to take care of your meals yourself.
Leisure time during your stay abroad in Thailand
Ko Lanta’s long, white, sandy beaches are waiting to be discovered and the turquoise blue water is predestined for swimming. You can go snorkelling in the crystal-clear sea and marvel at the diversity of the underwater world. Equally as exciting are the typical long tail boat excursions through the mangrove forests. A historic fishermen’s village gives an insight into local culture, while the many bars and discos provide a perfect end to the evenings. When the project is over, volunteers frequently decide to explore other popular destinations in Thailand together, including Krabi, the Phi Phi islands and Phuket.
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Arrival
Arriving in Thailand
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Project
Your stay in the animal welfare project: A typical volunteer day
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Departure
Last day in the volunteer project and departure
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1. Ko Lanta
The beautiful double island of Ko Lanta lies in the southwest of the southern region of Thailand. It consists of the larger island Ko Lanta Yai and the smaller, quieter island Ko Lanta Noi.
Compared to nearby Phuket or the Koh Phi Phi Islands, Ko Lanta is characterized by tranquillity and relaxation. It is one of the most picturesque islands in the country and impresses with its fantastic beaches, turquoise waters and idyllic bays. Ko Lanta radiates a very special magic and will certainly make the heart of every visitor beat faster.
Purpose of the animal welfare project in Thailand
Ko Lanta consists of two islands: the larger and livelier Ko Lanta Yai, and the calmer Ko Lanta Noi. Life here is still tranquil as the islands have not been affected by mass tourism.
The 2004 tsunami hit Ko Lanta hard, but major reconstruction work has removed any indication of the destruction. The only reminder of the rebuilding work is the large number of stray cats and dogs which were left here by workers. The increasing number of stray cats and dogs became more and more of a problem for the locals.
For this reason, the project was launched in 2010 to take up the cause of stray animals. The project tries to improve the situation for stray dogs and cats through an extensive sterilisation programme and in 2010 an Animal Sterilisation Centre was built. In this way, uncontrolled breeding can be prevented and the animals are no longer exposed to hunger, injury, disease and violent death. This animal welfare project also deals with sick and injured animals. A mobile clinic visits the neighbouring islands to sterilise and inoculate the animals there. At the same time, the initiative endeavours to make the locals aware of the strays’ predicament and respect them. To do this, the situation is explained to children in schools in order to create a better relationship between man and animal.
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