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. 7 day project and max. 14 day project 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, 18 years old.
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Individual cabins on ARK property. With a bedroom, bathroom, shower and kitchen area.
On occasional out-of-town spay days, we will stay in basic accommodation available in the town or village where we are working.
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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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All meals are included, except on the day of arrival.
Breakfast: A variety of convenient options will be available, including breakfast bars, fruit, and cereals. Tea, coffee, and milk will also be provided.
Lunch: The ARK team will prepare a selection of meals such as sandwiches, pasta, jaffles, and roh hack brötchen. Juice will be available as well. While the farm's water is safe to drink, bottled water can be purchased upon arrival if preferred.
Dinner: Depending on the schedule, dinner will either be cooked over the fire by volunteers or prepared by the ARK staff. On particularly demanding days—such as spay days or during TNR operations, which often take place at dinnertime—ARK staff will handle meal preparation. Expect a mix of hearty, comforting dishes like lasagna and grilled meats, as well as traditional African-style meals such as potjiekos.
Vegetarian options are available upon request.
Any additional food and drinks 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.
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No two days are ever the same at ARK, making adaptability one of the most important qualities in a volunteer.
One day, you might be caring for orphaned kittens or puppies, which could mean late-night feedings and fluctuating routines. Another day, you might be out at dusk setting humane traps for a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) mission, with potential late-night returns at 10 PM to retrieve injured animals or vulnerable kittens.
Some days take us beyond our usual grounds, such as two-day spay events in different towns. Other days might be more relaxed, focusing on daily animal care—starting at 8 AM with feeding, cleaning, medicating, and tending to sick or injured animals. On these days, lunch is typically scheduled between 1-3 PM (hottest time of the day), before moving on to food preparation, dog walking, enrichment activities, vet visits, feeding animals and the occasional unexpected rescue mission.
Volunteering at ARK is unpredictable, rewarding and deeply impactful.
Adaptability is key.
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A suitable volunteer at ARK should be:
Adaptable & Resilient – No two days are the same, and plans can change quickly due to emergency rescues or unexpected challenges. Volunteers must be able to adjust to fluctuating routines and last-minute tasks.
Mentally Strong – The work can be demanding, involving long hours, heat, dirt and emotional challenges, as rescuing animals often means witnessing difficult situations.
Passionate About Animal Welfare – Volunteers should be committed to helping animals, whether it's bottle-feeding orphaned kittens, dealing with difficult excitable dogs, caring for injured rescues, or participating in spay days.
Comfortable with Basic Living Conditions – Since ARK is based in Namibia, accommodations are simple, and volunteers should be prepared for rustic conditions, including occasional out-of-town stays in basic lodging. ARK cabins are simple but comfortable—just watch out for the occasional cold showers!
Team Players with a Positive Attitude – Working at ARK requires collaboration, whether assisting with spay events, feeding routines, or emergency rescues. A good volunteer works well in a team.
If you're ready for an intense but deeply rewarding experience that makes a real difference in animal lives, ARK might be the perfect volunteer project for you!
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. The taxi fee is N$1,600 in total, hopefully to be shared among the 3-4 volunteers arriving at a similar time. Volunteers are responsible for this cost.
Travel: The drive to Omaruru will take approximately 3 hours. The taxi will stop by a food shop in Omaruru for any snacks or drinks you may want during your trip. Remember we cover three meals a day.
Arrival & Briefing:
Afternoon: Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed, shown to your accommodation to freshen up and relax.
7:00 PM: We will then travel to the restaurant in town for a project briefing, including what to expect during your trip, the specific itinerary, and safety protocols. And of course you will get to meet your fellow volunteers.
Dinner: You are welcome to eat dinner at Kashana during this time at your own cost.
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Each volunteer project is unique, with an itinerary tailored to the specific needs at the time. However, all projects will include a mixture of the following core activities:
Key Activities
Feeding & Cleaning Rescues – Volunteers assist in feeding and maintaining the hygiene of 100+ rescued animals, ensuring clean living spaces, proper nutrition, and fresh water.
Enrichment & Exercise – Providing mental and physical stimulation through playtime, walks, basic training, and socialisation to help animals adjust and improve rehoming chances.
Medical Care & Assistance – Supporting with medication, IVs, wound care, and post-treatment monitoring under the guidance of experienced caregivers.
Orphan Care – Bottle-feeding orphaned puppies and kittens, ensuring they receive proper warmth, nutrition, and early-stage care.
Trap, Neuter & Return (TNR) Projects – Assisting in humane trapping, neutering, and returning stray cats to manage overpopulation and improve community animal health.
Spay Days – Supporting spay/neuter efforts, sometimes requiring an overnight stay in another town (additional accommodation fee applies).
Educational School Projects – Teaching children in low-income areas about animal welfare, pet responsibility, and kindness to animals through interactive lessons and activities.
Rescue Missions – Participating in urgent animal rescues from situations of neglect, abandonment, or injury.
Vet Visits – Observing veterinary procedures, health checks, and treatments to gain insight into animal care in Namibia.
Building Projects – Assisting in constructing or improving shelters, enclosures, and isolation areas for sick or recovering animals.
Photography & Media Work – Capturing images and videos of rescues, rehabilitation, and daily life at ARK to support fundraising and awareness efforts.
Animal Transport Assistance – Helping to safely transport animals for medical care, adoption, or relocation.
Dip Day – Supporting Township Dogs - Where we visit a local township to tick-dip dogs. This initiative helps protect animals from tick-borne diseases, mange, and other parasites.
Flexibility & Adaptability
Working in a remote rescue environment requires adaptability. Your itinerary may shift based on urgent needs, such as:
✔ Nighttime feeding for orphaned animals
✔ Emergency rescue missions
✔ Delays in medication or supplies
✔ 24/7 care for critically ill animals
✔ Weather-related challenges
This hands-on experience is both rewarding and demanding, giving volunteers a deeper understanding of the challenges and triumphs of animal rescue in Namibia.
A 7-day volunteer project will include two of the four main initiatives, while the 14-day project will cover all four. These initiatives include the school project, spay day, TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) project, and dip day.
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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 us for a minimum of 7 days and a maximum of 14 days per month. These dates are pre-set, so please reach out for more details.
Your volunteer package includes everything you need during the project (accommodation, meals and so on). However, flights, travel insurance, and taxi transfers are not included. We will however arrange your transfers before and after the project for your convenience.
On arrival day, dinner is not provided, but we host a volunteer meet & greet at a local restaurant where you’re welcome to purchase food and drinks while connecting with the team.
Deposit and Payment
Upon acceptance into the volunteer project, a non-refundable deposit of 50% of the total project fee is required to secure your placement. The remaining 50% must be paid no later than 30 days before your arrival date.
For last-minute bookings made within 30 days of arrival, full payment is required at the time of booking.
