Vets Beyond Borders Australia

Volunteering in VBB Projects - some general information

How long will it take to process my registration to volunteer?

Vets Beyond Borders is a small not-for-profit charity staffed mainly by volunteers.  We will try to process your application as quickly as possible but please try to be understanding that this process may take up to four weeks. If your application is urgent for some reason please contact VBB directly at the same time as completing your application form.

To make sure your application is processed in a timely manner, please take care when filling in the 'register to volunteer' form to make sure that all details are correct and that you provide us with as much relevant information as possible. Also please contact your nominated referees to inform them that they will be receiving an email notice to provide a reference for you and that they need to complete this form as soon as possible. They may need to check their spam filters if they do not receive that email within one week of you submitting your application. Generally it is a delayed response from referees that slows the processing of an application.

You will receive an email to inform you that your application has been formally approved. This email will also introduce you to the relevant Project Manager, with whom you will liaise on veriosu aspects of your visit to volunteer. If you are not contacted within a week or so, or have any other concerns or queries, please let us know.

Travel and Volunteering

Travelling in Asia is certainly a challenge. In some areas the spectre of widespread human hunger, sickness and suffering is something many visitors will never forget. For many of us, the plight of the animal population is also distressing. Whilst many aid agencies are providing effective humanitarian assistance, not so many attach a high priority to animal welfare. Encouragingly, animal welfare and veterinary projects have become established in the last few years. Your efforts as a volunteer will help in many ways to continue the work of these pioneering programmes.

Through an arrangement with Campus Travel – a subsidiary of one of the best brands in travel - Flight Centre Ltd – VBB can now offer volunteers access to exceptional deals on all travel arrangements, whilst also giving the opportunity to support VBB as Campus Travel will refund 1% of all your expendtiure to VBB! Please do note however that VBB volunteers are free to make other travel arrangements as they wish.

Safety

Although thousands of foreigners travel safely in Asia every year, sensible precautions should be taken. Vets Beyond Borders cannot accept responsibility for your personal safety should you decide to travel foriegn locations to volunteer - this is one reason why one of the obligations we place on volunteres is to take out appropriate level of travel insurance which also covers you for volunteering with animals (check before you purchase your insurance). It is also essential that VBB volunteers have appropriate levels of protection against rabies - we will require documented evidence of this. Your Government websites should be visited to obtain up-to-date travel warnings, for example:

• The Australian Government’s Smart Traveller advisory and consular assistance service.
  It is advisable for Australian volunteers to register with the Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
• USA Bureau of Consular Affairs
• UK Foreign Office

Medical Information

Contact your doctor before planning the trip, to obtain current advice on appropriate vaccination and medication, especially rabies and hepatitis vaccination. Please take out comprehensive travel medical insurance that is appopriate for volunteering overseas and for working with animals as there are no other provisions for medical cover when volunteering for VBB.

Heed medical advice for travellers to Asia to minimise the risk of preventable illness. The old maxim, ‘don’t drink the water’, is certainly true.

What to Bring with You

Clothing

Many Asian cultures are quite modest. Women, please do not wear shorts and singlets. Long thin cotton trousers or skirts and loose fitting cool cotton tops with sleeves are appropriate in summer. Warmer clothes may be required in winter or in high altitude regions. A hat is essential especially in summer. Clothing may be purchased cheaply and is usually locally manufactured, so perhaps travel light and take home some new clothes as souvenirs.

Personal Items

Good quality mosquito repellent should be brought from home. Toiletries can be purchased in Asia. Any personal medication, eye glasses and contact lenses should be brought with you, including a repeat prescription for medication and eyeglasses in case of loss whilst overseas.

Books

English bookshops exist in many large towns and cities. A good book makes those travel delays more bearable.

Veterinary Equipment

By all means bring your favourite surgical kit or needle holders. Stethoscope and scrub top would be helpful.

Most programmes rely on donations so if you are able to collect donated goods and equipment to transport to the program- fantastic. Please contact them first to make find out what they need - eg., 40 bottles of expired cattle antibiotics are of no use to a dog program!  VBB can provide a letter which may be helpful if border controls ask for evidence that the goods you are carrying are not for resale and will be used for a charitable project.

For more specific project information please visit Our Project information. You will also be provided with more detailed information on your particular project, how to get there and local conditions, etc. upon request and/or confirmation of your placement.