World Vets will operate a pilot project in Tropojë, Albania. A pilot project is a location where World Vets has not previously worked and/or sent a team. As such we will send our very first team to the town of Bajram Curri to operate an animal health campaign which will provide free spay/neuter surgeries and other needed veterinary services for dogs and cats. To aid in the delivery of such assistance, we have volunteer opportunities that not only facilitate quality veterinary care but also enable individuals to be a part of the work that we do around the world.
For this field project, volunteer opportunities are open to vets (both surgical and non-surgical), techs (both licensed and non-licensed), students, and general assistants (individuals with no previous vet experience). Please read more about volunteer positions and project details below.
How much will it cost?
The project fee associated with this veterinary field service project is $1975 USD. Before you register, please ensure you do not have any scheduling conflicts that may impact your participation as project fees are non-refundable and/or non-transferrable to other trips and/or persons. We highly encourage our volunteers to purchase travel insurance, in case of cancellation due to personal injury/illness, flight delays, inclement weather, etc.
What’s included in the Project:
World Vets logo scrub top, volunteer kit, pre – trip planning and coordination per the project itinerary, accommodations for 8 days and 7 nights, including breakfasts and lunches on clinic work days, airport transfers per established meeting times on official arrival/departure days, ground transportation related to veterinary work, a group excursion/activity, veterinary and volunteer permissions and authorizations, as well as all supplies and full participation on the project.
What’s NOT included:
International airfare*, optional excursions, travelers’ insurance, health insurance, World Vets membership fee, lunch on non-work days, dinners and snacks, required travel documentation to enter/exit Albania (i.e. a passport that does not expire for at least 3 months past the planned departure date, visa if applicable), incidentals and anything not specifically outlined as included.
*Go to the “Itinerary” tab above for more information about booking flights.
Please Note: We will need copies of current veterinary license certificates from both veterinarians and licensed technicians (RVT/CVT/LVT). Veterinarians and technicians also need to submit a “letter of good standing” from their respective state veterinary board. Please email your license certificate and letter of good standing to info@worldvets.org after your registration. You may send your flight itineraries later in April.
What will I be doing?
This is a small animal veterinary field project. For this particular project, World Vets veterinary team will carry out a spay/neuter campaign targeting both owned and unowned animals. We may also see health consultations, perform other types of surgeries and/or treat injuries on a case-by-case basis. World Vets will be working in a remote location with rustic field conditions, which will include outdoor surgeries under pop-up tents and canopies. Many of the animals will be trapped prior to the campaign and will be released same day of surgery, so we need fast, competent surgeons, who came make small surgical incisions. Technicians and any others involved in animal restraint should be prepared to handle feral cats and street dogs.
Veterinarians
As a veterinarian, you primarily will be performing sterilization surgeries for dogs and cats. You may also be involved in the following:
- Medical diagnosis and treatment and/or in providing health consultations
- Performing other surgeries that may be deemed necessary on a case-by-case basis (based on your comfort level and/or ability)
- Providing instruction to students and/or local volunteers or pet owners
The veterinarian volunteer category may be filled by a licensed DVM who is both competent and comfortable in performing routine spay/neuter surgery. Rotating and non-surgical veterinarians will be helping in induction, monitoring anesthesia, and/or working in recovery. PLEASE NOTE: We will require copies of licenses and letters for veterinarians volunteering on this project – please send your documents as soon as possible after registration.
Veterinary Technicians (Licensed and Non-Licensed) | Veterinary Nurses
As a veterinary technician, you will lead and/or be involved in running the pre-med/induction station to induce anesthesia and prepare patients for surgery, as well as assist with recovery. This includes:
- Administering, monitoring and managing the pre-medication given to surgical patients
- Administering, monitoring and managing the anesthesia given to surgical patients
- Assisting with surgical prep and patient monitoring
- Monitoring patients after surgery, administering appropriate post-op medications per protocol chart, and grooming.
The “Tech” (LVT/RVT) volunteer category may only be filled by a veterinary technician that is either certified, licensed and/or registered. Proficiency in IV catheter placement is essential in this position. Veterinary technicians and assistants who are not licensed, but who have experience in a veterinary clinic setting, should register under the “Tech” or “Tech/Student” category. PLEASE NOTE: We will require copies of licenses and letters for RVT/LVT/CVTs volunteering on this project – please send your documents as soon as possible after registration.
Students
As a veterinary student, pre-veterinary student, or veterinary technician student, you may be involved in any of the following activities:
- Premed/Induction: Assisting with prepping patients for surgery (i.e. animal handling/restraint, expressing bladders, assisting with catheter placement, shaving and sterilizing surgical field, positioning patient for the surgeon).
- Surgery: Assisting a veterinarian in surgery, cleaning up surgical area for the next patient, and/or observing surgery.
- Recovery: Monitoring patients after surgery, administering appropriate post-op medications per protocol chart, and grooming.
The student volunteer category may be filled by veterinary students, pre–veterinary students, and veterinary technology students. When registering select the “Tech/Student” category and further classify your position on the registration form to reflect the student type that you are filling.
Assistants
The assistant volunteer category is open to anyone who loves animals and wants to help. Our assistant position requires no prior experience, just a willingness to learn! Assistants often help in the post operation recovery area and in a variety of miscellaneous duties (based on your skills, experience and comfort level).
A few special notes:
Please refer to information on the US State Department website for travel to Albania as well as the CDC website for current information on international travel and health recommendations. Please read and fully understand the terms and conditions in the link below.
World Vets is not able to provide medical advice related to travel vaccines or other travel related medical questions. Volunteers are encouraged to consult with their family physician, nearest travel clinic and/or center for disease control regarding recommended immunizations and/or health precautions prior to the trip. It is recommended that volunteers be vaccinated for rabies for any international project, although is not a requirement for this particular project.
The gloves provided on World Vets projects are made with latex. Volunteers who have a latex allergy should plan to bring their own non-latex gloves.
Caps and masks are required to be worn by all surgeons as well as those assisting within the sterile field of the surgical patient. World Vets provides disposable caps and masks on field service projects, however, volunteers have the option of using their own surgical cap and/or mask.
Volunteers should expect to share a room. We will try to accommodate any roommate requests- please let us know when you register. Each room has a private bathroom/shower.
We highly recommend that you obtain travel and medical insurance for your trip. There are many reputable providers of medical evacuation & advisory services as well as general travelers/trip cancellation insurance providers. You must read the policy wording to ensure the policy is a fit for your needs. Policies must be purchased prior to your initial registration in order to qualify- check with individual provider for details.
Please read and make sure you understand World Vets Terms & Conditions
For other general questions about volunteering with World Vets, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Itinerary
Day 1 (June 13): Official Arrival Day
Arrive at the Tirana city airport (Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza; airport code TIA). One large airport transfer will be scheduled for the whole team. Please plan your flights to arrive before 4 PM local time. *Please be advised that volunteers may have to start traveling one day earlier (June 12). Upon everyone’s arrival, the team will take a 4-hour ride to accommodations and then have the rest of the evening to relax and/or explore.
Once you have booked your flight, please submit your flight itinerary through the link provided in your registration confirmation email. If you wish to be included on World Vets provided airport transfers, please send your travel information to us no later than Monday, April 27, 2026.
Day 2 (June 14): All-Day Group Activity | Free Time
Following breakfast, the team will take part in an all-day group activity (TBD). The evening will be free for volunteers to rest and recuperate.
*Breakfast provided
Day 3 (June 15): Free Time | Clinic Set Up | Group Meeting
The morning will be free for volunteers. World Vets does not have any activities scheduled, so volunteers will be responsible for making their own arrangements.
In the afternoon the field service veterinarian and a few team members will go to the clinic site with local partners to get orientated and set up for clinic work. Tonight, the team will meet up to go over details and plans for the following clinic days
*Breakfast provided
Days 4, 5, & 6 (June 16, 17, & 18): Veterinary Clinic Days
Hopefully you are well rested because for the next three days you will be operating a field condition sterilization campaign. The team will be picked up by 8:00 AM to be taken to the clinic site.
Bring your scrub top, headlamp and comfortable shoes and be ready to pitch in and help wherever needed to make the project a success.
*Breakfast and lunch provided
Day 7 (June 19): Leisure | Free Time
This day is free for volunteers. World Vets may have some excursion suggestions for this day, but volunteers are free to make their own arrangements.
*Breakfast provided
Day 8 (June 20): Official Departure Day
Today is the official end date of the project and signifies the departure of the team. Airport transfers back to Tirana will be scheduled for the whole team corresponding to morning or afternoon departures.
*Breakfast provided
For volunteers who wish to extend their stay, this is something that is not included in the project fee. Please know that if you stay past the official end date of the project, you will be responsible for your return transportation to the airport.
Accommodations
Team lodging offers clean and comfortable rooms with private bathrooms and showers. Additional amenities include daily breakfast (included with your stay), free Wi-Fi, an outside patio, and a full coffee and beverage bar on-site. Laundry service is also available. Accommodations will be shared.
General Packing List
*NOTE: This is a general packing list.
Please research your project's forecast information for weather permitting items.
- Shoes (anything comfortable w/ covered toes for clinic days)
- World Vets scrub top (required during clinic days)
- Scrub pants (optional)
- Pants
- T-shirts (weather permitting)
- Shorts (weather permitting - shorts are ok for surgery)
- Bandana/hat
- Swimsuit (weather permitting)
- Sweatshirt (weather permitting)
- Light jacket (weather permitting)
- Pajamas
- Underwear
- Socks
- Sunglasses
- Water bottle (highly recommended)
- Headlamp (highly recommended)
- Camera
- Tote bag
Toiletries:
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Shampoo
- Prescription medications
- Over the counter meds (Tylenol, Imodium, cold meds etc)
- Personal bottle of hand sanitizer (highly recommended)
- Soap
- Sunscreen (highly recommended)
- Bug spray (DEET) (highly recommended)
- Brush
- Band-Aids
- Glasses/contact lenses
Extras:
- Beach Towel (if applicable)
- Ear Plugs
- Flip Flops/Shower shoes/Water shoes