Volunteer applications for December 2025

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Animal Refuge Kansai. Our organization relies heavily on our network of dedicated volunteers who help make our shelter a more comfortable place for our animals and keep our facilities running.

Applications to volunteer for December 2025 are now open!

For those interested in volunteering at our shelter, please read the following information and apply via e-mail. We regret to inform you that we have temporarily suspended overnight stays at the shelter.

(For first time applicants)

Weekend applications: please be aware the number of people applying for weekend volunteer positions sometimes exceeds the number of posts available. Whenever possible, please apply for weekdays to increase the likelihood of getting your first preference. Thank you for your understanding.

It may be very cold at the shelter. Please dress warmly.

Please note:

• Public transportation to Sasayama ARK is very limited. There is plenty of space to park at the facility, should you wish to drive there. Alternatively, you may reserve a spot on the ARK shuttle service provided for our volunteers.
• Public transportation to Nose ARK is no longer available, due to the discontinuation of buses from April 2024.
• If you are coming to Sasayama ARK , take the Hankyu Bus leaving from Nissei-chuo Station at 9:30 a.m. (Sugio Line), get off at the Oshima Elementary Shogakko stop, and walk to Deai Koen. We will pick you up at Deai Koen. You can board the bus departing from Oshima Elementary School (Oshima Shogakko) at 16:10 (weekdays) or 15:40 (weekends) on the way back. It is a one-minute walk from Oshima Elementary School to Deai Koen. (Click here for location details)
• Timetable for Sugio: https://www.hankyubus.co.jp/rosen/timetable/127101.pdf?6
• Timetable for Nissei Chuo Station: https://www.hankyubus.co.jp/rosen/timetable/023001.pdf?4
• Please arrive at ARK by 10:30 am
• Currently, we are only accepting groups of up to two volunteers at a time. You may choose to volunteer separately or as a pair. We regret that groups of three or more cannot be accepted at this time.
• If you feel unwell or are concerned that you will not be able to take part in volunteering, please inform us of your cancelation as soon as possible.
• We sometimes need to cancel shuttles because of inclement weather. Please check your email before leaving home if you are using the shuttle service.

Dates available for volunteering (December 2025)

December 1 – 31
(Applications to volunteer for consecutive days are also accepted)

Volunteering Application Deadline (for December 2025): November 20, 2025

Please send complete the following application form

When you will hear back from ARK:

Once applications close, we will review applications and allocate dates. You will be notified by email.  We will try to give all volunteers their first preference, but cannot guarantee to do so. We appreciate your understanding and patience.