Give Your Time

Offer some of your time to our animals

With over 500 rescued residents across our sanctuary in Eastern Ireland, caring volunteers keep our daily feeding, building, and shelter routines running smoothly.

Get in Touch to Volunteer Meet Our Residents

Flexible schedules

Half-day and weekend sessions

Community-driven

Join a warm, compassionate team

Volunteer caring for a friendly rescued goat at Back Into Daylight sanctuary

Sanctuary Community

Hands-on care, enrichment, and love for every rescued resident.

Join the Sanctuary Team

Every day brings a meaningful way to help.

Whether you want to get your boots muddy in the paddocks or lend a hand behind the camera, your time gives rescued farm and domestic animals the safe, peaceful life they deserve.

Daily Care

Hands-on animal care

Prepare fresh feeds, top up clean water, groom sheep and donkeys, and spend calm social time with residents.

Weekly or bi-weekly shifts

Sanctuary Life

Cleaning and habitat upkeep

Muck out barns, lay fresh straw bedding, clear paddocks, and keep living spaces comfortable and hygienic.

Flexible morning slots

Site Works

Building, fencing and repairs

Help build field shelters, secure perimeter fences, repair gates, and maintain safe outdoor enclosures.

Weekend work parties or as needed

Outreach

Events and community days

Welcome guests on visitor days, help coordinate charity stalls, guide visitors, and run seasonal fundraisers.

Occasional weekend events

Home Care

Temporary foster care

Open your home to domestic animals recovering from medical procedures or awaiting forever adoptions.

Short to medium term placement

Behind the Scenes

Administration and logistics

Assist with volunteer scheduling, feed orders, donor thank-yous, email queries, and supply coordination.

Remote or on-site, 2-4 hours weekly

Storytelling

Photography and media

Take high-quality photos and videos of residents for sponsorship updates, appeals, and awareness campaigns.

Monthly sanctuary visits

Ready to start?

Have a specific skill to offer?

We welcome specialized help like veterinary nursing, plumbing, legal advice, or carpentry. Tell us how you would like to help.

Apply to volunteer

Sanctuary grounds, Eastern Ireland

Volunteers in action

A glimpse into routine mornings, building sessions, and daily enrichment with the residents.

Sanctuary volunteer gently grooming a rescue donkey in the paddock

Morning grooming in the meadow

Two volunteers installing wooden fencing for rescued pigs

Building secure shelter enclosures

Sanctuary volunteer carrying fresh hay to sheep at feeding time

Getting to know one another

First time volunteering at a sanctuary?

We provide full on-site inductions, safety briefings, and buddy shifts so you always feel confident and supported.

Ways to help Register your interest

Volunteer briefing

Essential guidelines for every helper

Review these practical considerations before joining us on the sanctuary grounds in Eastern Ireland.

Reviewable starter content

The policy statements below are starter templates. Please review and tailor each subsection to reflect Back Into Daylight's exact operational guidelines.

Sanctuary safety

Part 01

Age Requirement

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old to work directly with large resident animals. Young helpers aged 16 to 17 may join when accompanied by a designated parent or legal guardian.

Note:Site owner note: Confirm your minimum age criteria, guardian consent rules, and any age exemptions.

Field preparation

Part 02

What to Bring

Bring sturdy waterproof boots or wellies, warm weather-appropriate layers, puncture-resistant work gloves, a reusable water bottle, and a packed lunch for your shift.

Note:Site owner note: Adjust this checklist to reflect specific seasonal kit, biosecurity gear, or PPE provided on-site.

Travel & stays

Part 03

Accommodation

On-site accommodation is not provided for standard day shifts. Volunteers traveling from further afield are advised to arrange lodging in nearby village guesthouses or bed & breakfasts.

Note:Site owner note: Update with your exact residential program terms or partner local lodging discounts.

Have specific accessibility questions or group volunteering inquiries?

Contact the sanctuary team View all ways to help

Rescued calf and sheep resting safely in the sanctuary pasture

See you in the pasture.

Every fence repaired, bowl filled, and quiet moment shared brings peace to our rescued animals. We cannot wait to welcome you to the grounds.

Get in Touch to Volunteer