Every dog at Baan Maa has a story — rescued from the street, recovering from injury, or simply waiting for someone to notice them. Volunteers are how we give them the care, exercise and attention they need every single day.
This isn't a big sanctuary or a polished volunteer resort. It's a small, working rescue, and when you volunteer with us, you become part of its daily life — mess, mud, love and all.
Life at a Small Rescue
Baan Maa Dog Rescue is based in rural Thayang, Phetchaburi, Thailand. We're not a large commercial sanctuary or a voluntourism operation — we're a small, hands-on rescue, and volunteers become part of our day-to-day life rather than guests on a programme.
At any one time we have around 25 dogs on site, though the number changes constantly as dogs are rescued, rehabilitated, adopted, or returned to their communities.
The dogs in our care include:
- •Permanent residents
- •Dogs waiting for adoption
- •Dogs undergoing medical treatment or rehabilitation
- •Disabled dogs who need extra daily care
- •Short-term rescue and medical cases
Baan Maa also supports dogs out in the surrounding community — through feeding, veterinary treatment, sterilisation and rescue work.
Ways to Volunteer
On-Site in Thailand
Join us at the rescue in person — spend a day helping with the dogs, or stay longer as a residential volunteer.
- •Dog walking & exercise
- •Feeding & cleaning
- •Socialisation
- •Medical assistance
Remote Support
Help from anywhere in the world! We always need support with digital tasks and outreach.
- •Social media management
- •Fundraising & events
- •Graphic design
- •Translation
- •Administrative support
Foster Care
Provide a temporary home for dogs awaiting adoption or recovering from medical treatment.
- •Short-term foster (1-4 weeks)
- •Long-term foster
- •Medical foster
Transport & Logistics
Help us move dogs to vet appointments, adoption meetups, or international flights.
- •Local transport
- •Airport runs
- •Flight volunteering
On-Site: Two Ways to Join Us
Day Volunteers
Living locally, or just passing through? Spend a day at Baan Maa helping with the dogs — no stay required.
Residential Volunteers
Want to stay for one or more weeks and become part of the daily routine? Arrange your own accommodation nearby, or stay with us on-site.
See residential volunteering details →What You'll Help With
Every day at a rescue is different. Depending on what the dogs need, you might find yourself doing any of the following:
With the Dogs
- •Walking and exercising dogs
- •Group and small-group walks
- •Dog socialisation
- •Play and enrichment
- •Helping dogs become comfortable with leads and handling
- •Supporting adoption preparation and socialisation
- •Bathing or rinsing dogs when required
Daily Care & Cleaning
- •Feeding
- •Preparing dog food
- •Refreshing drinking water
- •Cleaning kennels and dog areas
- •Washing bowls
- •Garden and yard clean-up
- •Laundry, including dog towels and bedding
Medical & Extra Care
- •Helping care for disabled dogs
- •Changing bedding for disabled dogs
- •Cleaning dogs' eyes
- •Basic health checks
- •Assisting with wound care or medication where appropriate and under direction
Beyond the Kennels
- •Helping at adoption events
- •Photography, video and social media content where useful
- •Other practical jobs around the rescue
You'll never be asked to carry out veterinary procedures beyond your own experience or competence.
This Is Real Rescue Work
Rescue work isn't just cuddling puppies — although there's some of that too. Thailand can be extremely hot and humid, dogs get muddy, laundry is constant, and some of our medical cases need extra cleaning and care.
We're upfront about this because we want volunteers who are genuinely up for it. Most people find the mess is easily outweighed by watching a dog they've cared for grow in confidence.
A Day at Baan Maa
There's no fixed timetable — every day depends on which dogs are with us and what they need — but the day tends to move through a loose rhythm:
Morning
Fresh water, breakfast where needed, medication, health checks, and cleaning and care around the dog areas.
Exercise & Enrichment
Walks, lead training, socialisation, play and enrichment for the dogs who need it.
Throughout the Day
Cleaning, laundry, medical care, one-on-one time with individual dogs, projects, and the unexpected jobs that come with rescue work.
Evening
Feeding, medication, final checks, and settling the dogs down for the night.
Exactly what this looks like on any given day depends entirely on the dogs currently in our care.
Residential Volunteering
Residential volunteers stay with us for one or more weeks and become part of the everyday rhythm of the rescue. You're also very welcome to arrange your own accommodation nearby and come to us as a day volunteer for as long as you like — accommodation with us is never compulsory.
For those who'd like to stay closer to the action, Baan Maa has volunteer accommodation on site, in a host-family style arrangement. You'll be staying within the home environment of the people who run Baan Maa, rather than in a hostel or commercial volunteer centre — a chance to get to know the people behind the rescue and become part of everyday life here.
Accommodation
Baan Maa has volunteer accommodation on site. Which room you're given depends on how many volunteers are staying at the time:
Private En-Suite Room
A private room with its own en-suite bathroom, separate from the family home but within the Baan Maa property and garden. Includes air conditioning and a hot shower.
Private Room in the Family Home
A private room located within the family home itself. It isn't en-suite, but you'll have full use of a hot shower and bathroom just down the stairs. Includes air conditioning.
Either Way, You'll Have:
Prefer to arrange your own place nearby? That's completely welcome — plenty of volunteers do.
Stay With Us
4,000 THB/ week
There is no fee to volunteer at Baan Maa.
This contribution applies only to volunteers who choose to stay in Baan Maa's own accommodation. If you arrange your own accommodation nearby, you pay nothing to volunteer with us.
What the contribution covers:
- •Accommodation
- •Electricity
- •Unrestricted use of the room's air conditioning
- •Hot water
- •Use of household facilities
- •Use of the washing machine
- •Breakfast foods
- •Wi-Fi
Breakfast usually includes:
- •Homemade yoghurt
- •Bread
- •Eggs
- •Fruit
- •Cereals
- •Tea
- •Coffee
This is a breakfast provision, not a full-board programme — lunch and dinner are not included.
This contribution helps a small charity offer volunteers a comfortable place to stay, without taking resources away from the dogs.
Getting Here
Baan Maa is located in Thayang, Phetchaburi — a rural area rather than a major tourist destination.
If you're travelling through Thailand, Thayang is reachable by public transport and minivan services. Baan Maa is approximately 5–10 minutes by car from the main road / minivan drop-off point.
By prior arrangement, we can normally collect residential volunteers arriving in Thayang.
Who We're Looking For
You don't need to be a veterinary professional or an experienced dog rescuer. What matters more is:
Experienced dog handlers, veterinary professionals, photographers, content creators and people with useful practical skills are always welcome — but specialist experience is never a requirement.
Language
International volunteers are very welcome, and perfect English isn't required. You'll just need enough communication for basic instructions and safety around the dogs — we're happy to welcome people from all kinds of countries and backgrounds.
What to Know Before You Apply
Apply to Volunteer
Tell us a little about yourself and how you'd like to help. We'll be in touch to talk through the details before you arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Baan Maa?
Baan Maa Dog Rescue is a small, hands-on dog rescue based in rural Thayang, Phetchaburi, Thailand. We currently care for around 25 dogs — permanent residents, dogs waiting for adoption, medical and rehabilitation cases, and disabled dogs who need extra care — while also supporting community dogs through feeding, veterinary treatment and sterilisation.
Can I volunteer for just a day?
Yes. Day volunteers are very welcome — if you live locally or are travelling nearby, you can spend a day at Baan Maa helping with the dogs.
Can I stay at Baan Maa?
Yes. Residential volunteers can stay with us for one or more weeks in our on-site, host-family style accommodation. You're also welcome to arrange your own accommodation nearby and volunteer as a day visitor for as long as you like.
How much does accommodation cost?
Volunteers who stay in Baan Maa's own accommodation contribute 4,000 THB per week. There is no separate fee to volunteer.
What does the accommodation contribution include?
It covers your private room, electricity including unrestricted use of the air conditioning, hot water, use of household facilities and the washing machine, Wi-Fi, and breakfast provisions. It does not include lunch or dinner.
Is volunteering itself free?
Yes. There is no fee to volunteer at Baan Maa. The accommodation contribution only applies if you choose to stay in our on-site accommodation.
What is the accommodation like?
There are two private rooms, both with air conditioning and a hot shower, and which one you're given depends on how many volunteers are staying at the time. One is en-suite and separate from the family home, within the Baan Maa property. The other is within the family home itself, with full use of a bathroom just down the stairs. Either way, you'll have Wi-Fi and access to the family kitchen, living room, office/common area, swimming pool and washing machine.
Where is Baan Maa, and how do I get there?
We're in Thayang, Phetchaburi — a rural area of Thailand rather than a tourist destination. Thayang is reachable by public transport and minivan, and Baan Maa is around 5–10 minutes by car from the main drop-off point. By prior arrangement, we can normally collect residential volunteers.
Do I need professional dog experience?
No. We don't require veterinary or professional rescue experience — genuine care, reliability, patience and a willingness to get stuck in matter far more. Experienced handlers and professionals are welcome, but it's never a requirement.
What should I expect from daily rescue life?
A mix of dog walks, feeding, cleaning, laundry and hands-on care — some of it messy, hot and repetitive, alongside plenty of time with the dogs themselves. Every day looks a little different depending on who's in our care.
How do I apply?
Fill in the application form on this page with your details and how you'd like to help. We'll be in touch to talk through the details before you arrive.