🇮🇹🐶🌱 European Solidarity Corps Individual Volunteering in Italy – Animal Welfare, Dog Care & Animal Rights Activism in a Shelter Environment in Arese 🇮🇹✨

Intro
A demanding but deeply meaningful European Solidarity Corps volunteering opportunity is open in Italy for young people who truly care about animal welfare. This project takes place in an animal shelter environment and requires strong commitment, physical readiness, and genuine compassion for animals.

Project Overview
Volunteers will actively support daily operations in a dog and animal shelter and contribute to animal rights advocacy activities. The work is practical, hands-on, and immersive.
🐕 Daily care of dogs, preparing food and taking them on walks
🧼 Cleaning dogs, sleeping areas, and shelter facilities
🧠 Learning each animal’s personality, background, and special needs
🐄 Supporting care activities for rescued farm animals in Magnago
📣 Assisting with animal rights events and awareness actions
📱 Supporting social media content and basic website maintenance

Activity Dates
26 January 2026 – 31 July 2026

Application Deadline
📅 Application Deadline: 08 January 2026 (12:00)

Eligible Countries
Austria 🇦🇹, Belgium 🇧🇪, Bulgaria 🇧🇬, Croatia 🇭🇷, Cyprus 🇨🇾, Czech Republic 🇨🇿, Denmark 🇩🇰, Estonia 🇪🇪, Finland 🇫🇮, France 🇫🇷, Germany 🇩🇪, Greece 🇬🇷, Hungary 🇭🇺, Ireland 🇮🇪, Latvia 🇱🇻, Liechtenstein 🇱🇮, Lithuania 🇱🇹, Luxembourg 🇱🇺, Malta 🇲🇹, Netherlands 🇳🇱, Norway 🇳🇴, Poland 🇵🇱, Portugal 🇵🇹, Romania 🇷🇴, Slovakia 🇸🇰, Slovenia 🇸🇮, Spain 🇪🇸, Sweden 🇸🇪

What Is Covered
🏠 Accommodation in a shared apartment (double room) with other volunteers
💶 Pocket money: 6 € per day
🍽️ Food support: 110 € per month + lunch on working days
🥗 Vegan diet required while working at the shelter
🩺 Health insurance covered by the ESC programme

Training and Support
📘 On-Arrival Training organised by the Italian National Agency
🐾 Task-specific training on animal care, hygiene, safety, and communication

Who Can Apply
👤 Aged between 18–30
🐕 Strong love for animals, especially dogs
💪 Physically ready for demanding daily tasks and outdoor work
🧹 Comfortable with cleaning, early mornings, long walks, and hands-on care
🌱 Willing to adapt to a vegan and antispeciesist environment during activities
📱 Basic understanding of social media (TikTok, Instagram) is a plus
🗣️ Motivated to learn Italian
📄 CV and motivation letter must be submitted in English

Location
The activity takes place in Arese, a small town located approximately one hour from a major city. Volunteers should be prepared for a quiet, rural environment closely connected to the shelter’s daily life.

Application Method
Application Link: https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity/opportunity/49395_en

⚠️ Important Notice
1️⃣ Source of Information
This announcement has been prepared based on the information provided by the project coordinator.
2️⃣ Responsibility for Content
The project coordinator is solely responsible for the accuracy, details, and updates of the opportunity content.
3️⃣ Right to Modify or Withdraw
Coordinating organisations reserve the right to make changes after publication — including dates, activity details, or application deadlines — or to withdraw the announcement entirely.
4️⃣ Disclaimer of Liability
YouthWorks Hub is not responsible for any such changes, updates, or cancellations made by the project coordinators.
💡 Final Note:
All listings are shared for informational purposes only. Please always verify details directly through the official project coordinator or programme website before applying.