Volunteer with BARC
Share your veterinary skills.
Change lives.
BARC welcomes volunteers from around the world, especially veterinary professionals who can support our medical programs and animal care operations. We accept licensed veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and nurses for volunteer placements, preferably for three months or longer. BARC’s Center for Animal Happiness is located in the beautiful valley of Tshaluna, about 45 minutes outside the capital city of Thimphu, Bhutan.
As a small organization, we rely on volunteers across everything we do — from preparing for and assisting with treatments and surgeries, post-operative care, rehabilitation programs, to animal rescues, clinic upkeep, and supporting the training of our local staff.
What to expect
Your Role
✓ Assist with surgeries and treatments
✓ Provide post-operative care
✓ Support rehabilitation programs
✓ Clinic upkeep and case documentation
✓ Help support the training of local staff
✓ Participate in community outreach for animal welfare programs
Requirements
✓ Licensed veterinarians, veterinary nurses, veterinary technicians
✓ Preferably commit to a minimum of three months
✓ Comfortable with limited resources
✓ Flexible and adaptable; able to problem-solve when equipment, supplies, or infrastructure fall short
✓ Respectful of Bhutanese culture and ways of working
Volunteering at BARC gives you something no tourist itinerary can: genuine immersion. We provide housing, connect you with partner organizations and local community members, and help you navigate daily life in Thimphu — so you're not just passing through Bhutan, you're living it. The culture, the people, the rhythms of a place most visitors never reach.
Learn more about volunteering at BARC by downloading this PDF.
“I volunteered with BARC for 6 weeks. I was so impressed by the level of Marianne’s dedication to the animals of Bhutan – she never turns an animal down and will give them all of her time, attention, and love. She is so knowledgeable and resourceful, and I greatly enjoyed working with her and brainstorming ideas together for tough cases.”
— Dr. Chloe Donovan, UK Veterinarian
via Vets Beyond Borders Australia
Our volunteer partners
Vets Beyond Borders
Worldwide Veterinary Service
Apply to volunteer
Frequently asked questions
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BARC welcomes volunteers from around the world, especially veterinary professionals who can support our medical programs and animal care operations. We partner with Vets Beyond Borders Australia and Worldwide Veterinary Service for medical volunteers, and remote volunteers can help with communications, grant writing, and development. On-site volunteers should preferably commit for three months.
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On-site volunteers in Bhutan should commit to preferably three months to allow sufficient time for meaningful contributions to our programs and to adjust to the local environment and culture.
Remote volunteers can contribute on flexible schedules based on specific project needs and their own availability.