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Zanzibar Vet Clinic

Zanzibar

Sitting in the middle of the tropical island of Zanzibar, just off the coast of Tanzania, is the Zanzibar Veterinary Clinic. This project is for students and graduates who want to support the charitable effort to care for dogs, cats and farm animals on the island,  and learn from the busy caseload.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

 

  • Work on the stunning island of Zanzibar


  • Join a friendly team making a difference to animals in need


  • Project tailored to your knowledge and skills, we accept preclinical and clinical year students and vets. 


  • Join spay and neuter campaigns and help vaccinate animals on the island


  • Learn from medical and surgical cases with a range of domestic and farm species


  • Spend weekends on the beach, snorkling with dolphins or exploring the jungle


  • Dive deep in to Zanzibar's culture, mingling with Masai people, as you help their animals

Project video

The clinic is a hub of activity for local animals requiring treatment and no animal is turned away. Patients include donkeys, cows, goats, dogs, cats and birds. As a charitable non-government organisation the clinic aims to:


  • Establish care, support and animal protection services

  • Tackle the stray animal population

  • To stop animal overloading, beating, mishandling and animal cruelty.

  • Provide education and awareness to local communities


We split our volunteers with qualified vets and nurses joining outreach work, and vet student and nurse/tech students receiving training at the clinic and occasional outreach days. The clinic consists of a surgery room, consult room, and waiting room for owners and those who bring animals for our care. On any day there may be numerous dogs and cats coming to the clinic, and we may see  cows and donkeys as well as other farm species on outreach missions because as well as working on site at the clinic, you will also travel around the island treating animals in their homes, both those who belong to clients, and those who are strays but living well on the beaches. 

KEY VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

 

Husbandry Work

 

  • Kennel cleaning

  • Dog walking and grooming

  • Maintenance of clinic and kennels

  • Building enrichment for the cattery


Veterinary work

  • Spays and castrates

  • Vaccination programs

  • Emergency call outs

  • Routine house visits

  • Busy Saturday "open clinics"

  • Changing bandages

  • Providing medication to animals on long term treatment

  • Bathing animals suffering with parasite or skin problems

  • Gain a knowledge of fluid therapy and anaesthetic monitoring

  • Develop skills in wound care and management

  • Develop clinical confidence by participating in consultations

  • Understand how to diagnose, manage and treat tick and midge borne diseases

  • Learn to triage emergency cases

 

There is only basic medical equipment available on Zanzibar, so the style of work is often a very new experience for people coming from first world countries. Anaesthesia is done using injectable drugs and the monitoring equipment is basic. There is no xray or ultrasound machine at present. 

 

Please be aware that this is a busy clinic is a genuine working charity, with a varied annual schedule and workload. We love hosting volunteers, and you will gain a lot of experience with us, however this is not a student or surgery training course. Come prepared to join in with all aspects of the work, and do not expect your days to be solely based around surgery. All the members of this team are willing to dig in and get their hands dirty with all aspects of animal care and we ask our volunteers to adopt the same attitude. No one here is above grooming dirty dogs, picking up poo or cleaning kennels when it needs to be done. Whilst it will not be the focus of your stay, a can-do attitude is important when working as part of a small team for the good of the animals.


At the clinic the animals always come first, so you may work very long days if we are in the middle of a sterilisation drive, or spend many hours on the road when animals in need are far away. Volunteers are encouraged to participate in all aspects of the project, including medicine, animal rescue and inpatient care. As with all placements, the more you put in to your time with us, the more you will get out of it. 


Project Photos

ACCOMMODATION 


The clinic is based on a spice farm, surrounded by local villages. Volunteer accommodation is close to the clinic so there is only a very short and tropical commute to work with palm trees and sandy roads. Volunteer rooms have two single beds and an en-suite bathroom. Rooms are same sex unless you are coming with a partner. All rooms have mosquito nets, bedding, towels and fans. The house has a bright shared living room and kitchen where volunteers can relax, cook and kick back in the evenings.


You are responsible for buying and  preparing your own meals each day. Within walking distance from the  clinic there are a couple of small shops selling basic items (drinking  water, soda and basic food like fruit and bread. Local busses run regularly from the end of our drive and cost 500Tsh  (20 pence) to Stone Town. Here it is very  easy to buy all the food you require including fresh sea food, meat and  vegetables in both open air markets and supermarkets. On night when you don’t feel  like cooking, why not treat yourself to dinner at a rooftop restaurant,  or a cocktail on the beach, as you live as a local on one of the most  beautiful islands in the world.

LOCATION


Zanzibar is the largest island in the  Zanzibar archipelago. Situated less than 50km from the coast of the  African country of Tanzania, it is renowned for its stunning white sandy  beaches, crystal blue waters home to dolphins, whales and a rich and  diverse marine life. The Island is safe for travel and slowly becoming a  more popular destination for all ages of travellers. The vet clinic is  located in the middle of a spice farm just 45 minute drive from  the island’s capital, Stone Town. Stone Town is a UNESCO world heritage  site. It has a rich history of spice and silk trading which can be seen  in the architecture and buildings inspired by the Arabic and Portuguese  traders who used to use this island as a resting and trading point.


For most people, the quintessential image  of Stone Town is the huge wooden doors with large brass studs that  guard the entrance to many shops and houses. In the winding narrow  streets, little local shops sell spices, fruits, jewellery, rich fabrics  and clothes. There are many restaurants and bars, selling fresh local  produce and delicious meals. Our volunteers normally enjoy heading to  the roof top bars that overlook the harbour for sunset, or the beach  front bars where you can sip a cocktail with your toes in the sand.

ASSOCIATED COST:



2024 cost:


1 week: £611

2 weeks: £948

3 weeks:  £1,337

4 weeks: £1,700


2025 cost:


1 week: £611

2 weeks: £948

3 weeks:  £1,337

4 weeks: £1,700

5 weeks: £2,125

6 weeks: £2,550

7 weeks:  £2,975

8 weeks: £3,400

9 weeks: £3,825

10 weeks: £4,250

11 weeks:  £4,675

12 weeks: £5,100


2026 cost:


1 week: £524

2 weeks: £1,069

3 weeks:  £1,613

4 weeks: £2,157

5 weeks: £2,701

6 weeks: £3,245

7 weeks:  £3,789

8 weeks: £4,333

9 weeks: £4,877

10 weeks: £5,421

11 weeks:  £5,966

12 weeks: £6,510



In order to provide you with a fun, safe and rewarding stay, we have a project fee to cover your accommodation, food, and all transfers when staying with us. This cost also allows you to be covered by our public liability and professional indemnity insurance. We do not charge for your training or spending time with our vets. So you can focus on having an amazing time and we will take care of the rest. 


Want to know what’s included? Great news, it is pretty much everything! Including your:



  • Pre departure assistance with planning your trip from one of our destination specialists

  • All airport collection and returns 

  • All accommodation 

  • 24 hour support on every project and at the volunteer accommodation by onsite staff


OUR PRICES EXCLUDE:

  • Meals are NOT inclided in the cost of this project

  • Visa

  • Required: Personal medical insurance. Optional: trip/flight/luggage insurane

  • Flights to and from Zanzibar 


PROJECT SPECIFICS


  • AGE: 18 +, no upper limit

  • QUALIFICATIONS: Qualified vet, nurse, techs, plus students of vet, nursing or technician courses.  

  • EMS (other) CEMS, CPD, CE

START DATES

This project starts every Sunday the year. Volunteers arrive on Sunday and depart on Saturday. You will be picked up from Zanzibar airport. Alternative start dates can be accommodated with advance planning so please contact us if this may suit your plans. 

Volunteer feedback

Felicity Brein

May 2024

"The island was beyond beautiful, it was really rewarding work. I loved going around the island treating animals. It was busy and varied and taught me a lot. I made awesome friends, both with other volunteers and the animals. The rescue cats will forever hold a place in my heart! I "heart" Smudge, I wish I could have taken him home!"

Charlotte Ashfield

January 2023

"I really felt like I improved my surgical techniques with the practice and guidance of the team. It is different to work with so little diagnostic equipment available and definitely helped me work through cases without expensive tests. Best EMS ever"

WHAT NEXT?

 

We want you to join us in Zanzibar, to help the animals and have the adventure of a lifetime. Sound good?  If you think you can assist this project, please click the "apply now" button and we will be in touch with you shortly.

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