Charity (or NGO) work in the field of veterinary medicine is very popular. It ranges from taking care of shelter dogs, neutering and vaccinating stray animals, conservation medicine, assisting with public health programmes and much more. There are many veterinarians and veterinary students who are interested in supporting such charities in order to combine foreign travel and cultural immersion with training and the provision of services to the community.
In this document, we outline the main legal, ethical and professional considerations for charities, veterinarians, and veterinary students to consider before starting volunteer work.