Registered Veterinary Technologists (RVTs) play a vital role across many areas of veterinary medicine, and their skills, knowledge, and compassion are invaluable beyond the clinical setting. Through volunteer involvement, RVTs can support animal welfare, advance the profession, and make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.
Several organizations across British Columbia, Canada, and internationally seek RVT volunteers to help provide care, education, and technical expertise. Volunteer opportunities can range from hands-on animal care to education, advocacy, governance, and project-based support. Whether you have a few hours to give or are looking for a longer-term commitment, there are many ways to get involved.
RVT volunteers may contribute by:
Assisting with medical and surgical care
Supporting spay/neuter, shelter medicine, or outreach programs
Providing technical expertise in wildlife, exotic, or rehabilitation settings
Participating in education, mentorship, or community outreach
Supporting professional organizations, committees, or working groups
Contributing to disaster response or international aid initiatives
Canadian Animal Assistance Team – Pelly Crossing, YT 2025
Volunteering allows RVTs to expand their skills, connect with like-minded professionals, and give back to the profession while supporting animal health and welfare. Opportunities vary in time commitment, setting, and scope, making it possible to find a role that aligns with your interests, experience, and availability.
British Columbia Based Groups
BC SPCA
- Kamloops Spay/Neuter Clinic organizes a feral cat day twice yearly (March & October), in partnership with TRU VTEC program. They aim to have 4+ RVTs volunteer per clinic.
Email bmigueles@spca.bc.ca if interested in volunteering or for additional information! - Victoria SPCA
Canadian Animal Blood Bank
The Canadian Animal Blood Bank saves dogs’ lives. Working with pets and people across the country, CABB collects, processes and distributes high-quality canine blood products to veterinary hospitals and clinics; educates industry professionals about transfusion medicine; and increases public awareness about animal blood banking.
CABB is excited to announce they will be coming to Vancouver, BC for clinics in March 2026! They are currently looking to hire an RVT to help assist CABB programming in BC, as well as volunteer RVTs and donation animals.
- March 5, 11-3: A Niu Veterinary Hospital (Richmond)
- March 6, 12-4: VCA Canada Vancouver Animal Emergency & Referral Centre (Vancouver) *full for volunteers
- March 7, 12-5: Canada West Veterinary Specialists & Critical Care Hospital (Vancouver)
- March 15, 10-2: Kitsilano Animal Clinic (Vancouver) *full for volunteers
- March 28, 8:30am-12:30pm: Tsawwassen Animal Hospital (Delta)
- April 11, 9-2: Ellwood Park Animal Hospital (Abbotsford)
Find out more about how to get involved and upcoming clinics: https://canadiananimalbloodbank.ca/volunteer/
Community Veterinary Outreach
CVO is a registered charity that supports people who are unhoused, under-housed, or vulnerably housed by providing accessible veterinary care alongside human health services through a “One Health” model. Clients must meet specific eligibility criteria, including housing vulnerability, referral through a case or health worker, limited financial resources, and no recent relationship with a veterinarian. CVO works closely with community partners to improve the health and well-being of both people and their pets, strengthen community connections, and advance knowledge around social issues involving animals. While CVO offers pro-bono veterinary care, its primary mission is to support the overall health and welfare of clients, using the human–animal bond to increase access to essential health and social services.
https://www.vetoutreach.org/kelowna-bc
https://www.vetoutreach.org/vancouver-bc
Helping PAWS – Nanaimo Community Animal Clinic
More info here
Vets 4 Pets – Victoria
Get involved!
Canadian Based Groups
Canadian Animal Assistance Team
Animal Health Care Projects are the core of our work. Our teams travel to the location where we are needed and set up a temporary field hospital right in the community to provide the services needed to animals that would otherwise not have access to veterinary care. We also work with communities to assist in building a community driven animal management and welfare plan toward sustainable solutions.
There are many communities in Canada and internationally that simply do not have access to veterinary services, either due to location (remote communities) or financial or both. Our goal is to bring much needed veterinary care right to the animals in need. We also work with the community leaders to support locally defined and locally run animal care plans.
Our team consists of veterinarians, veterinary technicians, assistants and educators that volunteer their time and expertise to set up and run our Animal Health Care Clinics. Our temporary clinics are set up right in the community which allows all animals access to the care they need. Our team members travel to the community, set up the temporary “MASH” style hospital, and provide the services needed.
Become a member and get information on volunteer opportunities today! https://www.caat-canada.org/membership/
Canadian Animal Task Force
The Canadian Animal Task Force (CATF) is a volunteer-driven registered charity dedicated to improving the health and well-being of companion animals while supporting community safety. Working in partnership with communities, CATF provides mentorship, training, and resources in areas such as humane enforcement, animal bylaws, licensing, sheltering, re-homing, and preventative care programs including spay and neuter services. Supported by a team of licensed veterinarians, veterinary technologists, and volunteers, CATF takes a compassionate, collaborative approach—often acting as a connector between animals in need and trusted rescue partners. Through prevention, education, and community-based support, CATF strives to create a more humane future where people and animals can thrive together.
*RVT’s that would like to volunteer with CAFT and perform RVT related tasks, must be registered in Alberta, otherwise you can apply as a general volunteer*
https://cataskforce.org/
Canadian Animal Blood Bank
The Canadian Animal Blood Bank is a not-for-profit (CRA registered Charity) that saves the lives of dogs by leading education in transfusion medicine and making the highest quality blood available to veterinarians, dogs, and their families.
We engage pet owners to volunteer their qualified dogs to participate in whole blood collections. The blood is collected, locally processed, and then made available to veterinarian hospitals and clinics across Canada.
Find out more about how to get involved: https://canadiananimalbloodbank.ca/volunteer/
Veterinarians Without Borders – Northern Animal Health Initiative
VWB/VSF uses the One Health model to partner with remote communities in the Canadian territories upon their invitation. We work with each community to identify needs and build a plan with community representatives to build local capacity to address animal care needs year-round. This includes offering temporary veterinary clinics with a team of volunteers.
While at these clinics, we offer:
- Vaccinations against deadly diseases, including rabies
- Spay and neuter surgeries
- Consultations with pet guardians/animals and general veterinary check ups
- Community training programs, including pet first aid and lay vaccinators
Learn more about the NAHI here!
North American/International Groups
Veterinarians Without Borders North America/Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Amerique du Nord (VWB/VSF) is a non-profit, charitable organization that focuses on animal health as a way to improve the health of communities. Put simply, we believe healthy animals, healthy humans, healthy planet.
Globally, we focus on a few key issues – controlling rabies, promoting equality, responding to disasters where animals are present, and training and educating community animal health workers in areas where there is no veterinarian. Throughout this, we always keep in mind the One Health perspective, where we consider animals, people and environment before making changes, because changing one thing, can change everything.
We are the North American affiliate of VSF International, and are registered charities in both Canada and the U.S. We operate in countries all over the world offering everything from spay/neuter programs, to gender equity seminars, depending on what is important, needed and wanted in a community.
This small but mighty organization is made up of generous volunteer and dedicated staff. All work is made possible due to the kindness of individuals donors, as well as corporate and government grants. VWB/VSF Canada is close partners with Global Affairs Canada.
Find out more how to become a volunteer here!
Wild Tracks / Wilde Tracks
World Vets https://worldvets.org/volunteer/opportunities-for-veterinary-technicians/
Worldwide Vets provides the opportunity to not only help animals in need across 13 projects worldwide, but also gain CE points whilst doing so! Provide your expertise and skills to the clinics and animals that need it most, and join one or more of our incredible projects. We provide opportunities including, but not limited to;
- Performing daily surgeries on domestic animals including high case load spay and neuter clinics, as well as surgeries ranging from enucleations to double amputations.
- Working with African wildlife in the heart of the bush. Volunteers will directly work with a wildlife vet and assist all animals in need. This can range from removing snares and treating wounds in giraffes, to dehorning rhino or castrating lions.
- High case load of equine medical care in Egypt – treating medical issues that you will likely not see in a typical practice. Operating a free clinic in an area where the horse’s welfare is less than desired results in volunteers treating issues such as wounds, infections, colic, malnutrition and improper hoof care on a daily basis.
- As a result of the illegal animal trade, deforestation and hunting, there are many wildlife species in need and they find this love and care in our sanctuaries. Volunteers work with the vet to complete health checks, surgeries, orphan feeding and learn the art of blow darting!
We offer projects for vet and vet nurse/tech, as well as to those with no prior education or experience whatsoever so friends and family are more than welcome to join. Our projects can count towards educational credits for those studying, as well as being RACE approved for those already licensed and practicing.
More information on the 13 projects that Worldwide Vets works with can be found on the website (www.worldwidevets.com/volunteer) and interest can be sent to kasey@worldwidevets.com