Volunteer
Love wild horses? Want to make a real difference?
Join us.
Volunteers are the heart of WHOAS—from mucking pens to managing social media, every hand helps us protect Alberta’s wild horses and care for those in need.
Whether you're an experienced horse person or just someone who believes in our mission, there's a place for you here.
What Volunteers Do
There are many ways to help. Here are some of them.
Horses first. Feeding, daily care, mucking pens, and facility maintenance are the foundation of everything we do. These roles don't require horse experience — just reliability, a willingness to work, and respect for the animals.
Handling and groundwork. If you have horse experience, there are opportunities to work more closely with horses in rehabilitation — supporting the patient, consistent handling that helps wild horses build trust with people. This is skilled work and we are selective about who we place in these roles.
Tours and visitors. We welcome help hosting our Into the Herd tours — greeting visitors, sharing the horses' stories, and representing WHOAS to the public. Good people skills matter more than horse skills here.
Communications and social media. If writing, photography, or digital content is your strength there is meaningful work to do off-site. We always need people who can help tell the WHOAS story well.
Fundraising and events. From our annual dinner to community outreach, events take people. If you are organized, energetic, and good with people we want to hear from you.
Volunteering at WHOAS is real work.
Early mornings, unpredictable weather, and animals that don't follow a schedule. It is also genuinely meaningful — the kind of work that stays with you.
There is no fixed schedule requirement for most roles but we ask for consistency and communication.
If you are local to the Sundre area or willing to make the drive, reach out. If you are further away and want to contribute remotely, tell us what you do well and we will find a way to use it.
International Volunteers
Come for the horses. Stay for the prairie sky.
We welcome experienced horse handlers from around the world to volunteer with Alberta's wild horses. Whether you're here for two weeks or two months, you'll be part of daily care, training support, and the quiet, meaningful work of helping these horses find their futures.
What We Offer:
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Onsite accommodation in a trailer (depending on availability)
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Hands-on experience working with wild horses at their pace, with patience and respect
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Work that matters
What We Can't Provide:
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Meals (kitchen facilities available; you'll cover your own groceries)
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Payment or stipend
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Visa sponsorship
What You'll Need:
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Demonstrated horse experience
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Appropriate visa or work permit (see International Experience Canada for options)
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Self-sufficiency and comfort with rural living
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A willingness to muck, learn, and work alongside a small, dedicated team