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Trunks & Tails Rescue

4.9(41 reviews)
Experience
Volunteer
Destination
Thailand
Duration
3 to 12 weeks
Ages
18 to 85

43 others looking at this too. Next opening is Jul 2023, with limited spots.

Trip overview

Embark on an unforgettable volunteer trip and experience Thailand’s lifestyle whilst making a real difference to abused and mistreated animals. On this amazing adventure, you’ll volunteer in authentic Thai villages and cities, rescuing and rehabilitating dogs and elephants. Picture yourself improving the living conditions of stray animals, nursing injured animals back to health, educating locals on conservation efforts and contributing to important, real-world rescue and rehabilitation projects.

We offer the complete package for those looking to volunteer abroad and, best of all, we have joined with exclusive project partners to secure you a guaranteed volunteering placement overseas. You’ll be contributing to different conservation projects with both confidence and purpose. Our team will help you with all the essentials, from visa assistance to airport transfers, volunteer accommodation, onsite training and so much more.

Make a sustainable impact on animal rescue and rehabilitation, meet new friends from all corners of the world and break away from your routine back home as you embark on this incredible volunteer travel opportunity. This trip is perfect for anyone ready to make a difference and lasting impact on Thailand’s wildlife whilst channelling that relaxed beachside lifestyle at the same time.

Inclusions

Volunteer project placement

We’ll score you a guaranteed volunteering placement so you can start on your journey to make a difference to our planet.

Dedicated Trip Coordinator

Handpicked from an experienced team who’ve been there, done that and ready to guide you through your entire journey and leave no question unanswered.

Pre-Departure Guide

Our in-depth pre-departure guide will have all the information you need about your trip & destination, at your fingertips.

Trip visa guidance

Get your visa approved as cheap and easy as possible with advice and assistance from your Trip Coordinator.

Personal Travel Concierge

You'll get a personal Travel Concierge to plan your flights, insurance or any add-ons to synchronise perfectly with your trip. Deal with a real human and get a personalised booking experience that ticks all your boxes.

Return airport transfer

To take you straight to your initial volunteer accommodation in the Khao Tao. Return transfer to the airport upon completion of your volunteer placement.

Comfortable accommodation

For your street dog rescue project, relax in a western-style shared room, located a two-minute stroll from the beach and complete with a TV and free WiFi. For your elephant rescue project, stay in comfortable onsite tribal-chic accommodation. For those volunteering past 4 weeks, you’ll experience living with the local Karen Tribe in a shared tribal hut.

‘Welcome to Thailand’ orientation

Get familiar with the country’s history and culture, plus you’ll learn more about your volunteer project and your responsibilities.

Project supplies

Get equipped with all the supplies and materials you need to perform your volunteer duties.

Meals

Enjoy three typical vegetarian Thai meals per day, prepared fresh for you by the staff during your elephant rescue project. Whilst at your street dog rescue project, you can explore local fresh food markets to taste the traditional cuisine.

Local cultural experiences

You will join other travellers as you take part in all or some of the cultural activities, including a Thai cooking class and visit to Phraya Nakhon Cave.

24/7 Global Emergency Line

Feel confident knowing we have a worldwide emergency team on standby, 24/7/365, so you can feel safe and secure throughout your whole trip no matter where you are in the world.

Certificate of completion

In recognition of your hard work and dedication throughout the experience, and, it goes very well with your future resume. Employers will love this addition!

Ongoing local team support

Think of us as your family away from home. Whether you need advice or a shoulder to lean on, our team will provide you with unlimited support.

gWorld access

Stay organised with your personalised portal where you can keep all of your important documents and trip details in one spot and gain insider access to everything Global.
NEW

Social

Travel alone but never lonely with Social! An exclusive social network inside our gWorld app to talk, share & meet-up with other Global Travellers in your region, with a dedicated Community Manager.

NEW

Global Academy

Gain access to an ever-growing range of skills & languages to learn before & whilst you travel.

NEW

Marketplace deals

Get exclusive access to deals and discounts through our online Marketplace. Save big on a huge range of products and services from our brand partners worldwide.

$250 off your next trip

The “Travel Bug” is a very real thing! Once you catch it, it really doesn’t go away! Book any other trip with us later and save $250. Why would you ever stop travelling?

Global Academy

Gain access to an ever-growing range of skills & languages to learn before & whilst you travel.

Qualification

To qualify for this trip you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be between 18-85 years of age
  • Be a citizen of an eligible country
  • Have no criminal convictions in the past 5 years

Ask a question

Chat with us online now, or we can call you back for free, 24 hours Mon-Fri.

Trip details

Our Trunks & Tails Rescue Volunteer trip in Thailand is designed to get you volunteering overseas in a safe and fun environment and with a genuine and rewarding purpose. Our expert team and local partners take care of everything you need to start making a positive impact, from volunteer placement to accommodation and ongoing support throughout your entire journey.

Whether you’re doing gap year volunteering or taking a volunteering holiday from work, you’ll arrive in Thailand with the confidence that absolutely everything has been pre-arranged for you. You’ll be able to jump straight into your volunteer duties, relax into the chilled Thai lifestyle and start making new friends with all the logistical details sorted, from airport transfers to accommodation.

Channel all your energy into immersing yourself in your volunteer placement, as well as taking time to get to know the local area. Roam through Chiang Mai’s picturesque cityscapes, swim in Khao Tao’s deep water and try the local cuisine instead of sweating the logistical stuff - that’s exactly why we’re here. Feel confident and proud you are contributing much-needed help to a meaningful cause and save yourself the time, money and even the risk of being stranded in a foreign country by having us on your side. Make your time count on this life-changing opportunity to volunteer in Thailand and arrive home knowing you've made a lasting and positive impact on the lives of stray and mistreated animals. 

Requirements 

To qualify for this trip, you must be able to undertake laborious duties.

What extra costs will I have? 

Flights, travel insurance, visa, vaccinations, criminal background check, souvenirs & spending money.

Trip itinerary

Day 1

Once you have touched down at Bangkok International Airport, your pre-arranged transfer will take you straight to your initial volunteer accommodation in Khao Tao, south of Hua Hin.

Day 2

Head to your orientation with the other volunteers and get a real insight into Thailand’s history, customs and culture. You’ll also get the chance to test your culinary skills in a Thai cooking class where you’ll learn how to make a traditional Pad Thai and Papaya Salad for your friends back home. Take a tour of the mystical Phraya Nakhon Cave, dotted with walking trails, mangrove forests and limestone islands. Travel deep enough into the cave and you’ll reach a skylight shining onto a small temple inside! 

Week 1+

Your first weeks of volunteering will begin at the Street Dog Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre in Hua Hin, followed by the Elephant Rescue Project in Chiang Mai. If you’re volunteering for over 4 weeks, you’ll have the chance to go deeper into the Chiang Mai mountains and volunteer with elephants and the local community in the Thai jungle amongst the Karen Tribe. 7.00am: Rise and shine, it’s time to start your day. Indulge in traditional Thai breakfast and head to a morning meeting with your fellow volunteers and staff. 8.00am: Head to your current volunteer project for your morning shift. Street Dog Rescue - Your responsibilities could include kennel cleaning, helping out with feeding time and administering sick pups with their medication.  Elephant Rescue - You could be cutting grass, working in the elephant kitchen, washing and preparing watermelons or pumpkins, unloading trucks and cleaning enclosures. If you volunteer for 4 weeks you could walk with them in the jungle! 12.00pm: Take a well-deserved break from your volunteer duties. Enjoy a prepared meal if it’s included, or packed lunch at your project location. 1.00pm: Spend the afternoon partaking in more important volunteer duties. Street Dog Rescue - You could be observing surgery, helping with parasite treatments,  visiting and feeding the local dog packs or visiting local schools and educating them about stray dogs.  Elephant Rescue - You may be feeding, planting trees and grass, cleaning up from the free-roaming elephants or building a dam depending on the time of year. If you volunteer past 4 weeks, your responsibilities could include building clean village toilets, water tanks, running water pipe systems, bridges for school children, temples and nursery schools.  3.30pm: Work is done for the day. Head back to the volunteer accommodation and relax or go on optional tours and adventures in the afternoon. 6.00pm: Dinner time - depending on your project, enjoy a prepared meal at your accommodation or head to the nearby market stalls and restaurants to taste a local dish. Weekends: You’ll have weekends and evenings off, which gives you the perfect opportunity to head to the seaside with your new friends, island hop the white-sand beaches and dive into the crystal-clear waters. If you’re lucky, you’ll paddle beside some sea turtles!

Ongoing

Our dedicated team will check in regularly and keep in touch with you throughout your stay but, if at any point during your trip you need travel advice or assistance, we’ll be here to answer all your questions. Don’t forget you can always jump on our social media pages too or buzz our 24/7 emergency support line for urgent matters.

Reviews

Kinga D
Very professional and friendly, easy to communicate with about any questions or concerns, get excited for you, have an easy to use website, highly recommend ❤️
Sadie D
Amazing service by the team especially Jacob. Walked me through step by step would be involved.
Megan H
This is a great service that really explains how they work in full detail.
Jaemie S
Kate and Ashley have been so super helpful in organising everything for me & answering any questions I had related to the trip itself and the travelling. Over the phone they both sound bubbly and enthusiastic which I love because this is a very exciting trip for me! Everything on the website is easy to use and GWorld is very handy for keeping everything I need to know in one place - can’t wait to go in October!
Michelle P
Wonderful!!

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Frequently asked questions

Why go with Global Work & Travel?

As the world’s leading gap-year and “work & travel” company, we offer you the ability to not only choose from a number of awesome experiences all over the world but, we'll be your support system from the very first moment you become a Global Traveller! We provide a premium service that allows you to pick the destination of your dreams, get our visa & pre-departure assistance, book great flights and organise the perfect travel insurance or tours for when you arrive. Plus, we’ll back it all up with some cool and exclusive tech features that are with you the entire time.

As a Global Traveller, you’ll get exclusive access to gWorld, our personalised app where you can keep all of your important documents and trip details in one spot and gain insider access to everything Global. This is where you will find exclusive Marketplace deals for discounts with our brand partners, a unique social network to connect you with other Global Travellers when you’re overseas, access to our Academy with an ever-growing range of skills & languages to learn as you travel, invites to bucket-list side trips with other travellers, local meet-ups and so much more. Think all of your favourite apps merged into one, but like, better?

And it doesn't even stop there. We continue to be there from the moment you land with a dedicated 24/7 emergency team, over 100 staff and ongoing support ensuring that you have the tools you need to feel like a local. That’s why 65,000+ Global Travellers from all over the world have chosen to turn their travel dream into reality with us and we can proudly brag that we’ve got the most & best reviews in the biz!

Why should I book now?

Covid-19 threw us a curve ball and pretty much halted all travel. This means that we have a backlog of travellers, just like you, who are desperate to get out and explore the world! Global Work & Travel works on a first-in-best-dressed basis. Booking earlier ensures that you don’t miss out on the best intake, season, placements and more! We recommend our travellers take 6-12 months to plan their trip for a reason - to make sure you’ve got everything organised perfectly, stress-free.

As a Global Traveller you’ll get exclusive access to gWorld, our personalised app where you can keep all of your important documents and trip details in one spot and gain insider access to everything Global. This is where you will find exclusive Marketplace Deals, a unique social network to connect you with other like-minded Global Travellers, access to our Academy with an ever-growing range of skills & languages, and so much more. Think all of your favourite apps merged into one, but like, better?

Why not give yourself something to look forward to by booking that trip!

Can I travel with a friend?

Yes you can! Simply tell your Trip Coordinator after booking that your friend is also going and they can link your profiles. For most of our trips we should be able to have you and your friends placed together or nearby. Meaning that you can live, work, play & travel together!

But wait there's more! Not only can you travel the world with your besties at your side, you can also earn some extra cash towards your own trip just by referring your friends to Global Work & Travel. You can learn more about the great referral rewards program inside your gWorld account once you join.

And for those who decide to go-it-solo, we’ve made it easier to meet other Global Travellers in the same region as you. Just like any other social platform, you’ll be able to interact, share, chat and meet with some really cool people who are doing trips just like you!

What happens if COVID affects my trip?

If you have to make any changes to your departure date, you’re protected with our Lifetime Deposit Guarantee and our Ultimate Corona Booking Flexibility. With this, we will change your trip dates for free. If this doesn’t fit around you and you can’t go on your trip anymore, we will give you a 100% refund in the form of a Trip Credit with us (See terms). If you’re unable to use it, you can also transfer that credit to someone else for them to put towards any trip too.

If you’re affected by Covid-19 while you’re overseas, you will have all the support you need from our team or partners in-country as well as have access to our 24/7 Global Emergency Line. We recommend travellers purchase Global Travel Cover travel insurance that provides Covid-19 medical protection too.

Do I need to be vaccinated to book?

As border restrictions for countries begin to ease, being fully vaccinated will maximise the number of locations you can visit. So while you are not legally required to be vaccinated, and it’s also not a requirement to travel with us, it will limit some of the countries that you can visit and may make it harder to travel through over the next 12-18 months. We highly recommend our travellers look at the current travel restrictions of their destination, speak with a medical professional or get in touch with our team for travel advice.

What happens if I want to cancel my trip?

Our Ultimate Corona Booking Flexibility means you can change your trip’s start date up to 84* days before departure without incurring any charges when you rebook it for any time (or even any other trip) in the next 2 years from your original start date.

In the event that you want to cancel your booking altogether, if you give us over 84* days notice you can do so with only a 50% cancellation fee. Your refund of the balance will come in the form of a Store Credit which you can put towards booking absolutely anything travel related with your Travel Concierge within the next 2 years!

*Some select trips excluded, including Teach (Spain, Italy & Czech Republic) and USA (Summer Camp, Working Holiday and Hotel Professional), and others as listed in Booking Conditions.

How it works

Make your decision

Choose your trip style and destination, and confirm your spot with a deposit. Then, open your gWorld account and celebrate, the hardest part is over and the fun is about to begin.

We become friends

You’ll be matched with a personal Trip Coordinator who knows all the ins & outs. They’ll guide you through everything we need to do together, so you can leave your worries behind.

Time to go

We’ll get your tickets in-hand and your transfers ready. Then, our in-country team or partner will have everything prepared for your arrival. It’s now time for the real adventure to start.

24/7 support

Never stress, knowing we’re there with you when you need us with ongoing & unlimited local team support and check-ins. And just in case, we’ve got an emergency team on stand-by, 24/7.

Still have questions?

Why go Global

Flexible trips

The unexpected can happen sometimes. Can't travel right now? Swap your trip, gift it or save it for later with our Lifetime Deposit Guarantee.

Worldwide support

Know that someone is always ready to assist throughout the journey & they’re only a call, tweet, comment, text or double tap away, 24/7.

We're the experts

With over 10 years in the industry and a team of over 100 passionate pros, you can bet we know our stuff better than anyone else.

Partner network

We have over 1,200 partners around the globe, so we have access to plenty of exclusive opportunities to make your trip the best it can be.

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