You’re nearly ready to join Thai Island Dog & Cat Shelter.

This volunteer program takes place on Koh Lanta Yai, an island in Thailand where stray dog and cat populations have historically been affected by overpopulation, abandonment, injury, illness and limited access to veterinary care.

The shelter works to control the local stray animal population humanely through sterilisation programs, while also providing medical attention to sick, injured and recovering dogs and cats. Its work also includes community education, helping improve awareness around animal care, respect and responsible treatment of local dog and cat populations.

As a volunteer, your role is to support the daily care environment for dogs and cats at the centre. This may include dog walking, cleaning, feeding routines, socialising animals, laundry, centre upkeep, and helping the team maintain safe, clean and compassionate care spaces.

This is a practical animal welfare placement. The work is rewarding, but it can also be hot, physical, emotional and repetitive. Volunteers are expected to take the work seriously, follow centre procedures and support the animals with patience, consistency and kindness.

Please read this before completing your booking.

This program is best suited to mature, practical and emotionally resilient volunteers who genuinely care about dogs and cats and are willing to help with daily shelter work.

Please only continue if you understand that:

• volunteers must be at least 25 years old

• the minimum stay is currently 1 month

• the maximum stay is currently 3 months, with possible extensions considered case-by-case

• new volunteers complete a one-month probation before any extension is confirmed

• on-site rooms are limited and offered first-come, first-served

• if an on-site room is not available, you will need to arrange your own accommodation on Koh Lanta

• the volunteer program operates 5 days per week

• shifts are usually 7am–1pm or 1pm–7pm

• volunteers generally receive two days off together, scheduled around the rota

• the work can involve 15,000–20,000 steps per day in hot, humid or wet conditions

• the shelter works with sick, injured, recovering and sometimes traumatised animals

• animal interactions must always be safe, humane and compassionate

• the centre uses positive reinforcement and training methods only

• mobile phones are not permitted while on shift unless approved

• smoking is not permitted while dog walking

• drug use is not tolerated

• misconduct may result in your placement being terminated

This is not a tourist animal encounter. It is a working animal welfare placement supporting the daily needs of rescued dogs and cats.

On-site volunteer rooms may be available, but they are limited and offered first-come, first-served.

Volunteer rooms have two single beds, but volunteers are not usually required to share unless travelling as a couple or with a friend. Rooms include a fan, shelves for personal belongings and a mosquito machine. Mosquito nets and additional bedding may be available from the office if needed.

Volunteers are responsible for keeping their own rooms clean and tidy. Shared spaces, including the volunteer kitchen, must also be kept clean and respectful.

If on-site accommodation is not available for your selected dates, you will need to arrange your own accommodation on Koh Lanta. O2E will advise you once availability is confirmed.

Once your booking is received, O2E will review your details and confirm the next steps for your selected dates.

We will also advise whether an on-site room is available. If on-site accommodation is not available, you will need to arrange your own accommodation on Koh Lanta.

Before arrival, please read your project information carefully and complete any required tasks. This will help you prepare for the shelter environment, shift expectations, accommodation arrangements, health considerations and animal welfare protocols.