Animal Rescue Volunteers Wanted
Ocean Acres Animal Sanctuary rescues, rehabilitates and re-homes rescue dogs and cats. With over 150 animals in our care, we welcome volunteers. We need your help and support and there’s many ways in which you can be involved. We’re located in St. John on the rugged and beautiful East Coast of Barbados, set in a scenic 4.5 acres of rolling hills with breathtaking sea view. Volunteering at Ocean Acres is an incredible experience, one like no other, everyone who visits never wants to leave. Come and have some fun, meet some amazing people and our truly amazing dogs and cats (and tortoises too).
As well as volunteering on-site at the shelter, we’re also recruiting volunteers in other departments. Here’s how you can help.
Volunteer with Dogs
With over 100 dogs (lots of puppies included), you’ll be spoilt for choice. From fun and playful, cute and cuddly to the nervous and fearful. They all need care, attention, exercise, and human interaction is vital to ensure they live a happy fulfilled life and prepare them for adoption and a brighter future.
- Dog Walking
- Dog Socialisation
- Dog Training
- Dog Grooming
- Foster a Dog
Volunteer with Cats
Ocean Acres is a very unique cat rescue shelter, all our cats live loose on the grounds, they’re are not contained to pens or cages. They have the freedom of the 4.5 acres of land. Their home-base, the 5400 square foot cattery, is a haven of fun, activity, peace and tranquility – with toys, climbing structures, lounge areas and more. Cats need love and attention. Come and socialise with them, cuddle and play. Bring a book, bring a friend or two, chat and relax, spend the day. With over 50 cats roaming freely, it’s truly a magical experience.
You can also help by fostering a cat or kitten – read more.
Travel Buddies Wanted
Volunteer as a Travel Buddy, flying dogs back with you from Barbados to Canada. We’ve partnered with a Canadian animal charity who find them foster carers until they’re adopted into loving homes. We organise everything, it costs you nothing, you only need to turn-up at the airport. Find out more about The Travel Buddy Program.
Repairs and Maintenance
We’ve an extensive list of building improvements and renovations. If you’re the handy hands-on type and can spare some time in helping us improve our facilities, we’d be very grateful of your assistance.
- Painting
- Plumbing
- Tiling
- Masonry
- Carpentry
- Electrics
- Fencing
- General Labour Tasks
- And LOTS MORE!
Gardening and Landscaping
Ocean Acres is an eco-friendly tropical paradise of plants, flowers and recreational areas, a beautiful picturesque community that everyone enjoys. We’re striving to develop this and we plan to grow and sell our own produce too. If you’ve a green-thumb, an interest in gardening and would like to volunteer, please contact us today.
Transport Volunteers
If you have a vehicle and are happy to drive, we’d like your help in various transport tasks from home checks, to foster/adoption follow-ups, pet rescue, vet transport, collection and delivery of goods and items and more.
Home Checks
Before any of our dogs or cats are adopted, prior to agreeing, we ensure the potential adopter is a suitable match and their home and garden is safe and secure. We’re recruiting home check volunteers across the island to cover all parishes. Can you help?
Marketing and Fundraising
Fundraising and marketing is fundamental to our success in building an audience, raising brand awareness and is vital to gaining global support and funding. Here’s just a few ways in which you can assist us.
- Web Development
- Graphic Design
- Social Media Marketing
- Fundraising Incentives
- Event Management
- Volunteer at Fundraising Events
Contact Us
If you can help in any way or have any questions – please do not hesitate in contacting us. Our volunteers are so very important to us. You are a key-part of the Ocean Acres Team. We could not do this without you!
How to Apply
Please download, complete and return the volunteer form via: email: oceanacresanimalsanctuary@gmail.com, in person or by post to: Ocean Acres Animal Sanctuary, Newcastle, St. John, Barbados.
