A quiet veterinary treatment table covered with a neatly arranged, pale blue disposable pad, where a calm, short-haired tri-color cat rests on its side, eyes half-closed in comfort, a small bandage carefully wrapped around one front leg. Stainless steel instruments are organized in a tray at the edge of the frame, gleaming but not threatening. Overhead clinical lights provide bright yet softened illumination, creating clear visibility and minimal shadows. The background reveals clean white cabinets and a wall-mounted chart of feline anatomy, slightly out of focus. Photographic realism with a professional, reassuring mood, eye-level angle, medium shot, emphasizing compassionate medical care rather than drama, perfect for explaining treatment and donations on a rescue site.

Volunteer Hub

Volunteers are at the heart of Dahab Cats. Whether you’re visiting Dahab for a few weeks or looking for a longer experience, we would love to hear from you.

Volunteer Activities

Cleaning and feeding

Socialising cats and kittens

Photography and social media

Basic animal care

Adoption support

Fundraising (Off or onsite)

A close-up of a relaxed, rescued tabby cat with a slightly crooked tail and a faint scar above one eye, sleeping contentedly on a neatly folded, soft beige fleece blanket. Behind the cat, a small, clearly printed donation jar labeled for Dahab cat rescue sits on a smooth wooden shelf, slightly blurred but legible, containing a few visible banknotes and coins. Soft window light from the right creates delicate highlights on the cat’s whiskers and subtle reflections on the glass jar, while the background fades into a neutral, out-of-focus wall. Photographic realism, shallow depth of field, intimate and sincere mood, composed using the rule of thirds to draw attention to both the cat’s safety and the importance of donations.

What We Offer

Shared accommodation

Water and basic food supplied

Wifi

Onboarding, basic training and health and safety guidance

A supportive international team

An unforgettable experience by the Red Sea

What We Ask from You

A basic care understanding/experience with animals

A can do attitude and willingness to work

Reliability and trustworthiness

Two-week minimum commitment (for boarders)

4/5 hours work, 5 days a week (for boarders)

A close-up of a relaxed, rescued tabby cat with a slightly crooked tail and a faint scar above one eye, sleeping contentedly on a neatly folded, soft beige fleece blanket. Behind the cat, a small, clearly printed donation jar labeled for Dahab cat rescue sits on a smooth wooden shelf, slightly blurred but legible, containing a few visible banknotes and coins. Soft window light from the right creates delicate highlights on the cat’s whiskers and subtle reflections on the glass jar, while the background fades into a neutral, out-of-focus wall. Photographic realism, shallow depth of field, intimate and sincere mood, composed using the rule of thirds to draw attention to both the cat’s safety and the importance of donations.

Volunteer Testimonials

What a memorable month! After 10 years travelling, this experience will always stay with me: helping with the sweetest cats in the most beautiful place. The shelter is doing a great job of supporting Dahab’s street cat population. You will be working with cats with various ailments and varying levels of health, but they are all so friendly, inquisitive, and positive. They really need and deserve love and help from volunteers! At times, it can be hard if there’s an emergency at any time of day/night and, of course, you must be prepared for sadness if one does not make it. However, this is part of life, and it’s so worth volunteering here if you are a cat lover.

Shifts are morning and evening (9am-12pm and 5pm-7pm) and most likely you will share a bedroom and have access to a shared kitchen and bathroom.

The programme suits those who are genuinely committed to working hard and making a better life for the sweetest cats. It attracts genuine souls, both foreigners and local staff like Mahmoud, so you are bound to make lasting friendships.

It was easy to communicate with Gillian before the project and she helped me organise a taxi from the airport so everything was easy and seamless for me.

Dahab is a wonderful place with loads to do outside of your volunteering hours. Bring or buy a snorkel for hours of world-class snorkelling offshore. There is also great hiking and day trips. There are so many great cafes to relax, and the community of locals and foreigners is wholesome and easy to tap into. But beware – you will want to stay forever!

Rose, UK

It was my first ever work away so I wasn’t sure what to expect- the shelter is a warm and welcome place for volunteers and cats who are so in need of love and attention.

I was also very grateful to Gillian for organising my taxi from the airport and for always being a quick message away for any questions I had.

I spent most of my ‘shifts’ in the clinic room and got fully attached to the sweet cats receiving treatments for all sorts of illnesses. If you’re considering this workaway, do it out of compassion for the animals- not just for the sake of a bed and kitchen – this is so much more than a cheap way of seeing Dahab- you must put your whole heart into it! I came here a strict ‘dog person’ but I’m not sure i can claim that title anymore 😅🤣 the cats absolutely adore having volunteers around and make you feel fully valued and appreciated too 💚

Dahab is a beautiful place – bring a mask and snorkel with you- your hours off will be spent fish spotting 🐙

Would absolutely recommend this work away – thank you Gillian for giving me a great first look into the world of workaway

Elizabeth, UK

Gillian is doing truly wonderful work in Dahab. It was deeply meaningful for me to be able to join her team and volunteer.

​The typical work duty is split between 3 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the evening. After my morning shift, I often headed straight to the beach, which is only about a 15-minute walk away.

​I encourage everyone who reads this review to visit and volunteer, even if only for a short time. Extra hands are always needed!

​I wish all the cats in Dahab happiness.

Seunghwan, South Korea

I spent three amazing weeks volunteering here, and I’m so grateful for the experience. Taking care of the cats and kittens was deeply rewarding and something I genuinely enjoyed.

I learned a lot too, especially about how to look after their medical needs and spot when something’s wrong. I got attached to so many of them, and I still think about them every day.

I also met some amazing volunteers from all over the world who I immediately connected with. We shared similar values, and while our time together was short it really meant a lot to me.

Ivan, Italy

Volunteer form

If you’re interested to join our team, share details of your skills, experience, and availability and we’ll be in touch

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