Volunteer at Thailand's Only Shelter for Disabled & Special Needs Animals

Care for 550+ rescued dogs and cats in Khon Kaen, Thailand — including paralysed dogs, wheelchair rehabilitation and dog meat trade survivors. Stipend available for vet students.

First, a huge thank you.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us. The hard work and dedication of our volunteers is absolutely essential — and brings real hope to the 550+ dogs and 45 cats in our care.

Witnessing injured or sick animals can be emotionally challenging, but know this: the difference you make will last forever, both in your heart and in theirs.

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WHO WE ARE

Saved Souls Foundation is a registered non-profit animal sanctuary in Khon Kaen, northeastern Thailand, founded in 2010. We shelter over 550 dogs and 45 cats — rescued from abuse, the streets, the illegal dog meat trade, or simply abandoned with nowhere else to go.

Among them are approximately 80 special needs animals: paralysed or amputated after road accidents, living with blindness, or recovering from severe trauma. We are one of the very few shelters in Thailand — and one of the rarest in Southeast Asia — that opens its doors to disabled animals. Because we believe every soul deserves a chance.

With only 8 keepers for over 500 animals, volunteers are not optional. They are the backbone of the care we provide.

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YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Daily care: clean enclosures, wash bowls and feed 550+ animals every morning alongside our staff
• Socialisation & training: spend time with animals of all temperaments — from playful to fearful. Practice basic lead training to improve adoption chances
• Special needs care: help paralysed dogs exercise using wheelchairs, assist with physiotherapy and hydrotherapy in our dedicated therapy pool
• Health monitoring: report any changes in behaviour or signs of illness to our vet team immediately
• Content creation: photographers and social media volunteers are encouraged to capture shelter life and boost our visibility

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FOR VETERINARY STUDENTS & NURSES — READ THIS

With only one part-time vet and over 80 special needs animals, the gap between what we can offer and what these animals need is real and urgent.

A private individual — not the foundation, not donations meant for the animals — has set aside a personal fund specifically to attract qualified veterinary help. This person believes that skilled people deserve recognition, and is willing to put their own money behind that belief.

Veterinary students and nurses who stay for a minimum of 1 month and make a genuine, demonstrable difference may be considered for a one-time stipend of €500, awarded after completion of the placement. A maximum of 2 stipends are available per year.

This is not a salary. It is not guaranteed. It is one person saying: we need you — and we mean it.

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WHAT WE OFFER

• Free accommodation (shared volunteer house, gender-separated, or private bungalow)
• Breakfast and lunch daily (vegetarian)
• Communal dinner — we provide ingredients, you cook together
• Swimming pool, free WiFi, washing machines
• Hands-on experience with disabled and special needs animals — rare anywhere in the world
• Reference letter upon request (after minimum 1 month)
• Certificate of volunteer service from Saved Souls Foundation
• An experience that will stay with you for life

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REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum age: 20 years
• Good physical health — this is active, physical work in a hot and humid climate
• Basic English communication
• Minimum stay: 2 weeks
• Valid travel insurance (mandatory)
• Recommended vaccinations: Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Rabies — consult your doctor before arrival

The shelter is located 40 minutes from Khon Kaen City, accessible by taxi (±350 baht) or motorbike.

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