We’re KEEN-ly aware you’re in need of a heart healthy vacation. As such, we are running an exciting contest with the chance to win a week-long volunteer vacation at an animal rescue society near Cape Town, South Africa.

The trip is being organized by i-to-i, a U.K.-based volunteer travel company who has sent more than 20,000 people to volunteer in Africa, Asia, Australia and Latin America since 1996. The winner will volunteer at TEARS, an animal shelter that provides pet food parcels, veterinary treatment and animal care education for community members with animals that could not otherwise afford these goods and services. The society also works with children who have had extremely hard lives and teaches them to care and be responsible for animals. Learning these nurturing skills helps to break the cycle of abuse in these children’s lives.

Valued at about $4000, the trip include: roundtrip coach class air transportation, provided by South African Airways, for one between a major U.S. gateway city and Cape Town South Africa to volunteer with animals in Cape Town, South Africa; and a shared dormitory room in volunteer house for a minimum of one week and up to two weeks. The travel must be completed by September 30, 2010. Beyond the volunteer opportunities, the winner can explore an amazing range of other activities – from surfing to hiking to shopping in and around Cape Town.

In addition to KEEN, additional contest sponsors include National Geographic Society, and i-to-i Volunteer Vacations.

Entries are being accepted until August 21, 2009 by clicking here.