Volunteering at PACS

Want to join us?

With only three full-time staff members, PACS relies heavily on the support of our volunteers to continue providing critically needed medical care for Koh Phangan’s sick and injured animals. Whether you are on the island for a few days or looking for a more long-term volunteer opportunity, we would greatly appreciate your help. See below for different ways you can get involved at PACS.

PACS’ Veterinary Volunteers

PACS accepts qualified vets and vet nurses/vet nurse assistants as volunteers to assist our resident clinic team. Priority is given to experienced vets and nurses as they are of most benefit to our team, especially during mobile clinics when skilled cover is required at the centre. All veterinary volunteers report to, and perform tasks under the direction of staff veterinarians and Centre Director.

The clinical team cannot provide veterinary training programmes for new graduate vets as LAW does not have adequate staffing or time capabilities. Applicants requesting surgical training are directed to Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS) International Training Centre, Chiang Mai.

New graduate vets will take an assistant role in the clinic, under supervision of the staff veterinarians. It is at the discretion of the staff veterinarian and Centre Director as to the tasks they are able to perform.

PACS does not accept non-Thai veterinary students for clinic placements. They may apply as General Volunteers on
Selected students will gain experience during one day per week observation in the clinic.

PACS is keen to support veterinary training and improve animal welfare within Thailand so will accept Thai veterinarian
graduates and undergraduates for clinic placement.

PACS’ Volunteers

PACS’ volunteers are absolutely essential members of the team, working alongside PACS’ full-time Head Nurse – it is impossible for PACS to give it’s many patients adequate care, without the help of volunteers.

For full-time volunteers, this is not a holiday; it is a dedication to helping Koh Phangan’s delightful animals (like none you have ever met) to recover from illness & injuries, and returning them to their home environment. It is hot, sweaty, dirty, tiring, and incredibly rewarding. It is therefore vital that PACS’ volunteers are serious, committed to hard work & complete all scheduled tasks – the animals & the team are relying on you, so please do not consider volunteering if you are not willing to commit wholeheartedly for the entire period.

PACS’ Schedules

PACS’ schedules full working days from Monday to Friday, starting at 8.30am and closing at 4.30pm.

Weekends require morning and evening visits for feeding, cleaning & medicating. The weekly schedule depends on the volunteer’s role and pre-agreement but is generally 5 days a week with 2 consecutive days off. We try to have at least two full-time volunteers and two medically trained volunteers working together, at any one time.

The PACS’ Team

There are only 3 permanent members of staff, which consist of a Foundation Manager, Head Nurse and Groundskeeper, so there are times when everyone needs to roll up their sleeves and do some of the dirty work. We all need to be ready to do whatever it takes to keep our patients safe and comfortable. While we want to make the most of each volunteer’s special skills and knowledge, everyday tasks such as cleaning and feeding still need to be completed.


 

PACS’ Accommodation

In return for your help, PACS may be able to offer discounted accommodation, depending on availability, for only 2,500 THB per month  (4,000 THB per couple) This includes your own room,  shared kitchen, hot showers, cold water washing machine, drinking water, wifi and all bills covered.

Watch this short video about PACS volunteering

PACS’ Day Volunteer

If you cannot commit to volunteering, but would like to help out as a day volunteer, please contact us to explain the time & skills that you have to offer, and we will check our schedule & jobs list and try to find a suitable arrangement. Please understand that training an unskilled volunteer may take more time than can be gained from having a volunteer, so it is preferable to all concerned to commit for a specific period of time.

PACS’ Experience

Koh Phangan is a beautiful island and volunteering at PACS gives you the opportunity to stay for a while, and deeply experience the beautiful beaches, jungle, wildlife and culture. PACS’ volunteers often make lifelong friends during their time here, and many volunteers come back to volunteer again. PACS experience has often been a life-changer, with several past volunteers even joining the field of veterinary medicine after their time at PACS.


 

Apply to Volunteer

Applicants must be at least 21 years old. What are you waiting for? Come and volunteer by clicking the link below.

Application Form

Clinic Assistant

Application Form

Veterinary Nurse

Application Form

Veterinarian

Application Form


 

First time to the island?

To find out what is in store for you on this beautiful island, visit

We Love Koh Phangan, www.phangan.info and www.phanganist.com

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