We are always in great need of people to help, either for an hour or if you would like to stay and help long term, we appreciate your help!  We currently house and care for approximately 250 cats and dogs. Animal care volunteers main responsibilities will be dog walking and socializing with the animals at our shelter.
We are looking for self reliant and motivated individuals and if you are looking to help animals in Japan,  HEART provides long-term volunteers with free accommodations that is equipped with microwave, gas range, fridge, washer, futons, and towels, etc., everything needed to live comfortably*. Accommodations may be shared if there are more than one overseas our out of town volunteers with us at any one time.

Please fill in our volunteer application below

Please note:
Volunteers will be responsible for the upkeep of the accommodations. You are expected to clean up after yourself by washing dishes you dirty, keeping your living area organized and being respectful of shared bathroom. 
*Please help us save water and electricity.

Food: We do not provide meals/food but if we receive donations there may be some basic staples such as rice, noodles, instant food volunteers can help themselves to.

​Transportation: 
To/From the shelter: Shelter staff/volunteer can pick you up from the volunteer accommodations. 

To volunteer accommodation upon arrival in Tokushima: If you give us your schedule in advance, shelter staff/volunteer can pick you up at Tokushima station.

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.

Visas:​ we do not provide nor help with visas. 

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!
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Language: Most of the local volunteers and regular staff members are Japanese speakers. The founder of HEART, Susan and some volunteers can speak English.

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.

The Perfect Place to Adopt Your Dog or Cat