The Black Sheep Animal Sanctuary

Support the Sanctuary – Volunteer

There are many creative and meaningful ways that you can get involved with the sanctuary. Offering the gift of your time can be extremely fulfilling, so please explore the options below. We'd love to hear from you!

Stay at the Sanctuary

We welcome live-in workers who are prepared to volunteer with us for at least a month in exchange for food, accommodation and animal caresses.

We especially seek those with skills in animal care, construction, gardening or fundraising.

We have lots of interest in these positions so we can't guarantee you a place. However we'd still love to hear from you! 

Please contact us if you would like to volunteer.
Sanctuary Support Crew

Live in the city but want to get your regular country fix? Then sign up to the Sanctuary Support Crew, get your gumboots on and come and cuddle the animals with us.

We need regular volunteers to help with routine chores around the Sanctuary. These tasks will vary from season to season but could include infrastructure projects, gardening and animal care.

Volunteers should be prepared to work independently,  outdoors and in all weather conditions. The work can be physically demanding so volunteers are required to be at least 18 years old or accompanied by a legal guardian.

We ask you to commit to working at least once a month on an ongoing basis.

Please contact us if you would like to join the Sanctuary Support Crew

Working Bees

During the summer months we try to have regular working bees at the sanctuary. This is a great opportunity to meet all the animals at that live at the Black Sheep, find out about their histories, and learn more about animal rights. It is usually a fun day that includes some hands-on practical work, a tour of the sanctuary and a delicious vegan lunch.

Join our mailing list to be kept informed on our upcoming working bee dates.
Opportunity for Animals Op Shop
Sales Volunteers

Be part of Wellington's coolest op-shop by volunteering as counter crew at one of our three Opportunity for Animals Stores in Ōtaki, Newtown or Miramar.

Our charity shops sell quality secondhand clothing and household goods to fundraise for the Black Sheep Animal Sanctuary. We are an ethical business that works to promote animal rights and well-being, along with environmental sustainability, equality and justice.

Please contact us if you are interested in becoming a sales volunteer at one of our Opportunity for Animals Op-shops, or call our shop manager Kirsty on 04-389-3891.

Read more about Opportunity for Animals Op-shops here.
Sorting and Stocking Volunteers

Passionate about fashion and animals but prefer working behind the scenes? Join the Opportunity for Animals secret society of stockers and sorters.

Regular volunteers are essential to keep our Opshops in Newtown, Miramar, and Ōtaki vibrant and well stocked. This role will involve sorting and/or re-stocking the stores with donated items including clothing, shoes, linen, books and kitchenware. We ask that you commit to a regular half-day shift every week, on an ongoing basis.

Our Opshops are a vegan space and volunteers are asked to eat vegan while on site.

Please contact us if you would like to help stock the shops!