🐾 Volunteer at HEART – Help Animals in Japan!
We deeply appreciate people who want to help animals, and we welcome volunteers who are genuinely motivated to make a difference❤️
We are looking for self-reliant individuals who can take initiative and adapt to the realities of rescue work.
As a volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to help care for around 200 cats and dogs, including walking the dogs and socializing with the animals.
Your help will be invaluable in supporting our efforts to improve the lives of animals in need!
Our accommodations include all the essentials — a microwave, gas range, fridge, washing machine, futons, and towels — and are shared with other volunteers. We encourage you to come ready to adapt to our environment and contribute to the team with a positive attitude and a willingness to pitch in.
If you are passionate about animals and ready to take on a meaningful role with us, please fill out our volunteer application below.
💪 What You’ll Do
Volunteers support us with:
- Dog walking and socializing with animals
The work can be hard — it’s not always cute and cuddly — but it’s meaningful. Please watch this short video for an idea of what your days may look like:
📹
https://youtu.be/ocmjuxufnSU?si=iKnbNE9x792I83uX
🏠 Accommodation
We offer free shared housing for volunteers staying a month or more.
It’s simple and basic but equipped with:
Futons, towels, fridge, gas range, microwave, washing machine
Heating and air conditioning (please use mindfully to help us conserve funds for the animals)
Important:
The accommodation is not cleaned by staff — you are expected to wash your dishes, clean the bathroom, and keep shared spaces tidy
Our shelter and housing are old and not luxurious, but functional and filled with heart!
🧼 Expectations
We ask volunteers to:
Clean up after themselves and help maintain the shared space
Be respectful of others using the accommodation
Use water and electricity carefully, as these are very expensive in Japan
This is not a free place to stay — we’re a small organization with limited resources, and every volunteer should contribute positively, not create more work.
🌤 Weather & What to Bring
Summer is hot and humid in Tokushima
Winter is cold, especially inside — most Japanese houses are not insulated or centrally heated
Please bring clothes for both seasons and extra warm layers for sleeping. While heating and AC are available, they’re not always enough on their own and the cost of running them is expensive.
🚗 Transportation
We can pick you up from Tokushima Station if you share your arrival time in advance
Staff or other volunteers will transport you to and from the shelter each day
❗Other Important Info
We do not assist with visa applications — volunteers must have a visa that permits them to stay and help in Japan
Most of our team speaks only basic English, so communication may take a bit of patience — but we’re all working toward the same goal ❤️
We encourage open communication during your stay — please share concerns so we can address them in real time
Working Hours:
We expect volunteers to start shelter work around 10am and be there until the daily activities are completed in the evening. The closing time depends on the number of volunteers on any given day. Usually we have several volunteers to help dog walks and finish our work around 5pm.
We ask long-term volunteers to work at the shelter 5 days a week, with two days off. If you would like more days off to travel, please let us know and we can make arrangements.
Salary: HEART is run by volunteer basis, except for four part-time locally hired paid staff members. HEART does not provide volunteers with salary or compensation.
Activities: Dog walking is always needed.
Experience in building construction is also welcomed.
Attire: Wear sneakers. Bring sunscreen and hat/cap for summer.
Extra clothes and Rain gear are a must!
Insurance: Please make sure to have your travel insurance. HEART cannot provide financial assistance for hospital visits or illnesses.
Tokushima prefecture does provide "volunteer insurance" to help cover medical costs for injuries sustained during volunteering in the country. The cost is 500 yen per year.
We require volunteers to register for this insurance, so please provide your full name, address and contact information before arriving at HEART so we can prepare the paperwork.
We need independent individuals due to the amount of work we all have at HEART but we will can assist if necessary if you decide to join us.
Please contact us at susan@heart-tokushima.com for availability at the volunteer accommodations.
