At The ARK Rescue, we believe every animal deserves a second chance — and you can be a part of that transformation by volunteering with us. As a passionate, mission-driven organisation based in the small town of Omaruru, Namibia, we are dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and finding forever homes for neglected and abandoned dogs and cats. We prioritise saving animals that would typically be euthanised, focusing on those battling cancer, severe injuries, and abuse. Our goal is to provide a safe and loving space where animals can heal and thrive whilst awaiting rehoming.
The ARK Rescue Volunteer Project
Details
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Min. 10 days and max. 20 days within a month period.
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3 volunteers per project cycle (4 volunteers if a couple shares a cabin).
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Yes, 21 years old.
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Individual cabins on ARK property. With a bedroom, bathroom, shower and kitchen area.
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In Omaruru, a safe town in the Erongo Region of central Namibia. Occasionally spay days will take place in nearby towns and villages which will require travelling and potentially overnight accommodation.
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Yes, all meals are included except on the day of arrival.
Breakfast: A variety of convenient breakfast options will be available in each cabin, including breakfast bars, fruit, and cereals. Tea, coffee, and milk will also be provided.
Lunch: A selection of meals, including sandwiches, pasta, jaffles, Roh Hack Brötchen, and more that will be made by the ARK team. Juice will also be available. While the water on the farm is safe to drink, bottled water can be purchased upon arrival at the shop if desired.
Dinner: The dinner routine will alternate between volunteers cooking over the fire and meals prepared by The ARK staff. Volunteers will cook over the fire for five nights, while The ARK team will prepare meals for four nights. This is done due to how busy the volunteers will be on certain days e.g. spay days are very tiresome and TNR is carried out at dinner time.
Expect a mix of hearty, comforting dinners such as lasagna and grilled meats, African-style dishes, like potjie kos, will also be featured.
Vegetarian and vegan options will be available when requested.
Any additional food and drink will be at your own expense..
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Yes, Sunday will be a day off. However, if there are orphans, emergency rescue missions, or extremely sick animals, you’re welcome to assist on this day.
Our core programs
Rescue & Rehab
From those battling cancer, severe injuries, or Parvo virus, we are dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating animals that others might give up on. We have our own clinic on the property to accommodate these animals and with over 100 rescues and counting, there’s always an animal in need of care, love, and attention.
Population Control
We run frequent TNR projects, humanely trapping, neutering, and returning stray cats to their original locations. You’ll also assist with Spay Days in low-income communities. These initiatives are vital for controlling overpopulation and promoting better community health in Omaruru and surrounding communities. Sponsored by Have a Heart Omaruru.
Educate
Through our ‘Inspire with the ARK’ project, we teach children in low/no-income communities about animal welfare, responsible pet ownership and kindness. Through interactive lessons, presentations, and hands-on activities, you’ll help foster a sense of compassion. Education is key to empowering children to become advocates for animals and their communities.
We are excited to begin this new chapter in 2025 and to welcome international volunteers to The ARK Rescue. Your time and expertise will help us grow, allowing us to assist more animals, strengthen our connections within local communities, and inspire lasting change for both animals and people. Whether you're educating children about responsible pet ownership, assisting with rescue and rehabilitation efforts, or contributing to our spay and neuter campaigns to tackle overpopulation (in collaboration with Have a Heart Omaruru), you’ll be part of something much greater — a powerful movement for positive change.
Itinerary
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Arrival: Volunteers should arrive at Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek, Namibia.
Transportation: Our trusted taxi driver will collect you for transport to the project location in Omaruru. Flights should arrive as close to 12 noon as possible.
Transportation Costs: The taxi fee is N$1,600 in total, hopefully to be shared among the 3 volunteers arriving at a similar time.
Travel: The drive to Omaruru will take approximately 2.5 - 3 hours. The taxi will stop by a food shop in Omaruru for any snacks.
Arrival & Briefing:
Evening: Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed, shown to your accommodation to freshen up and relax.
7:00 PM: We will then travel to Kashana (restaurant) in town for a project briefing, including the mission, itinerary, and safety protocols.
Dinner: You are welcome to eat dinner at Kashana during this time at your own cost.
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8:00 AM – 1:00 PM:
Morning: Tour of the ARK and introductions to the 100+ rescue animals. Tasks will include feeding the clinic animals and any other rescues that require special care due to illness, as well as cleaning the clinic, cattery, and kennels to maintain a safe and hygienic environment. Please note that these duties are subject to change based on the arrival of orphaned animals, ongoing rescue missions, vet visits, and the needs of sick or recovering animals. Flexibility is key as priorities may shift throughout the day.
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Break
Rest, lunch, and relaxation.
3:00 PM – 5:30 PM:
Afternoon: Enrichment activities, such as dog walking, socialisation, training, making toys for the animals, basic rehabilitation for abused animals, medicating, playing. Assist with feeding. Please note this is subject to change depending on orphan animals, rescue missions, vet visits, sick animals and operations.
6:00 PM: Cook dinner on the fire.
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Itinerary will be made specific to each volunteer project. However each project will include these key activities:
KEY ACTIVITIES
Feeding and Cleaning Rescues: Volunteers will assist with feeding and cleaning the animals at the ARK, which can include 100+ rescues at any given time. This includes ensuring proper sanitation in living areas, feeding schedules, and providing fresh water.
Enrichment and Exercise: Volunteers help provide mental stimulation and physical exercise for the animals through activities like enrichment games, walks, playtime, basic training, socialisation. These activities are essential to the rehabilitation process, helping the animals to adjust to new environments and improve their chances of being rehomed.
Medical Care and Assistance: Volunteers may assist with medicating and providing care for sick or injured animals, including administering medication, IVs, assisting with wound care, and helping with other medical treatments. This may also include monitoring vital signs and observing animal behaviour post-treatment.
Orphan Care: Bottle-feeding orphaned animals and providing them with the care, warmth, and attention they need for proper growth and development. Volunteers may also assist with weaning and transitioning orphaned animals to solid food.
Trap, Neuter, and Return (TNR) Projects: Volunteers will participate in TNR efforts, helping to humanely trap, neuter, and return stray cats to their original locations. This is an important part of reducing animal overpopulation and improving the health of local communities.
Spay Days: Volunteers will support spay/neuter days, either in Omaruru or in nearby communities. This may mean a sleep out in another town or village at an additional accommodation fee. This is a key initiative to help control pet overpopulation, prevent the spread of diseases, and promote responsible pet ownership.
Educational School Projects: Volunteers will be involved in our ‘Inspire with the ARK’ school project, where we teach low/no income children about animal welfare, responsible pet ownership, and the importance of being kind to animals. This may include interactive lessons, presentations, and hands-on activities with animals.
Additional Educational Initiatives: Volunteers may assist with other community education projects such as tick-dipping days, educating the public about Transmissible Venereal Tumor and other outreach efforts that promote animal care and health.
Rescue Missions: Volunteers may participate in animal rescue missions, often involving urgent rescues from various situations such as abandonment or neglect.
Vet visits: Volunteers have the opportunity to accompany us on veterinary visits, from operations to health checks and everything in between. While volunteers cannot assist during surgeries, it’s a valuable chance to learn about animal care and observe the Namibian veterinary process up close.
Additional Potential Projects:
Building Projects: Volunteers may help with the construction or improvement of animal enclosures, shelters, and other structures such as dog houses, cat enclosures, or isolation areas for sick animals. These projects can significantly improve the quality of life for the animals at the ARK.
Photography and Media Work: Volunteers with photography or videography skills can assist with documenting the animals, events, and daily activities at the ARK. This content is essential for fundraising, social media outreach, and showcasing the ARK’s impact on the community.
Animal Transport Assistance: Volunteers may be needed to help transport animals to and from the vets. This is an important aspect of ensuring the animals' health and safety while being moved.
Event Planning and Coordination: Volunteers may assist in planning or organising events such as fundraising galas, adoption days, or public outreach activities. These events play a key role in raising awareness and generating financial support for the ARK.
As the itinerary is subject to changes depending on day-to-day requirements, flexibility is key. The realities of working in a remote location may require you to adapt quickly to unforeseen circumstances, including: Nightime feeding, emergency rescue missions, delayed medication or supplies for spay days, caring for extremely sick animals 24/7, weather challenges and so much more.
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Wrap-Up and Departure
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM:
Morning: Farewell cooked breakfast
Reflective session on the project’s impact and individual contributions. Head to either Swakopmund or Windhoek in arranged taxis.
Your impact as a volunteer
Rescue and Rehabilitation: Help provide a second chance to neglected and abused dogs and cats by assisting in their rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming. From feeding and cleaning to walking and basic training.
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) & Spay Days: Actively participate in our efforts to control the stray animal population, reducing overpopulation and improving the health of both cats and dogs in the community. Funded by Have a Heart Omaruru.
Educational School Project: Work with local schools to raise awareness about animal welfare, humane treatment, and responsible pet ownership, empowering future generations of animal advocates.
Hands-on Animal Care: Learn essential veterinary skills, gain insight into third-world veterinary practices, and help manage the health and recovery of animals from trauma, disease, and injury.
Disease Awareness & Prevention: Learn about diseases affecting animals in our area and assist in preventing their spread through education and proactive care.
Animal Enrichment: Provide mental and physical enrichment to the animals, ensuring they have safe, stimulating environments that support their emotional healing and well-being.
Community Impact: Contribute to improving the lives of both animals and local communities through hands-on work and education, promoting compassion and responsible pet ownership.
Project location
The ARK Rescue is situated on a beautiful 11-hectare property just outside the small, safe town of Omaruru, Namibia. We are nestled on a plot just a short drive from the town, offering an idyllic retreat that complements the hard work of our volunteer project.
The town of Omaruru, with its friendly atmosphere and welcoming community, is known for its safety and quiet charm. Surrounded by wide-open spaces and stunning landscapes, the town is a peaceful gateway to the heart of Namibia. The weather in Omaruru is typically warm and dry, with clear skies and plenty of sunshine for most of the year. Winters are mild, with cool evenings and pleasant daytime temperatures, while summers can bring higher temperatures and occasional thunderstorms, adding a refreshing change to the landscape.
Surrounded by rugged beauty, The ARK Rescue’s land is alive with wildlife. It’s not uncommon to spot a baboon, a graceful dik-dik, or a majestic kudu roaming the area. Tortoises can often be seen moving slowly across the property, and the air is filled with the calls of a diverse range of birdlife, adding to the natural charm and tranquility of the surroundings. This environment offers the perfect blend of untamed wilderness and peaceful solitude.
Costs
You are welcome to volunteer with The ARK for a minimum of 10 days and a maximum of 20 days per month. The prices include accommodation and meals during the Volunteer Project. Please note, flights, insurance, taxi transfers, and meals on the day of arrival are not included in the price. However, we are happy to offer advice on how to secure the best deals and we will book taxi transfers for you prior and after the project.
Deposit and Payment
The total project cost must be paid to The ARK no less than 30 days before the start date of your project.
