from 985€

Great 4.4rating (78)

Animal Care Taker in a Dog Shelter

location
4 - 24 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Great 4.4  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Good response rate

Highlights

  • Experience the Chilean way of life and learn about the local culture
  • Boost your CV with international work experience
  • Gain Spanish fluency by living in a local homestay
  • Visit amazing cultural and historic sites and explore breath taking landscapes
  • Make memories you will never forget during your stay abroad

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
50+

About the program

Volunteers do not need any special skills or previous experience caring for animals, but they should have a high sense of responsibility. And, you should LOVE dogs.

This volunteer project takes place at a private foundation that helps stray and mistreated dogs. The foundation started when a very animal friendly Chilean lady rescued dogs in the South of Chile after the devastating earthquake in 2010. She brought the dogs to Casablanca in order to ...

About the program

This volunteer project takes place at a private foundation that helps stray and mistreated dogs. The foundation started when a very animal friendly Chilean lady rescued dogs in the South of Chile after the devastating earthquake in 2010. She brought the dogs to Casablanca in order to rehabilitate and care for them.

Today, the dog shelter cares for stray and mistreated dogs in the Casablanca region, as there are so many dogs that are in need. Unfortunately, in the countryside, dog keepers do not always act in a respectful manner towards animals. The current dog population at the center is about 120 dogs (number may vary). The rehabilitation center for dogs strives to improve the relationship between humans and animals through animal welfare. In the upbringing of the dogs, the physical and emotional protection of the animals is especially important at the center, as they want to make sure the animals are healthy and well-trained prior to adoption.

The foundation wants to be part of an effective cultural change that not only benefits animals, but also humans. They believe that, through the promotion of responsible pet ownership and the concept “One Health” (healthy animals, healthy people), this change will be possible. They also run a small social project that was specifically made for pet owners living in the socially disadvantaged regions around the center. People can bring in their pets and animals to be checked, vaccinated, and sterilized at the pet clinic. This clinic belongs to the shelter and offers services for a very low cost or even for free. In addition to the rehabilitation center in Casablanca, the foundation has an administrative office in Santiago de Chile.

The volunteer program will mostly take place in Casablanca, but volunteers might also be deployed to Santiago from time to time to help with adoption events or other administrative work.


Typical day

For this program, volunteers do not need any special skills or previous experience caring for animals, but they should have a very patient personality and high sense of responsibility.

Furthermore, you should not be afraid of dogs, because they are the central focus of this volunteer project.

Among ...

Typical day

For this program, volunteers do not need any special skills or previous experience caring for animals, but they should have a very patient personality and high sense of responsibility.

Furthermore, you should not be afraid of dogs, because they are the central focus of this volunteer project.

Among your responsibilities are:

  • Caring for the dogs (bathing, grooming, etc.)
  • Walking the dogs
  • Feeding the dogs
  • Cleaning of the compounds and facilities
  • Playing with the dogs
  • Training and rehabilitating the dogs
  • Supporting adoption events
  • Supporting dog projects

Note: The tasks may vary. They depend on factors such as number of volunteers, weather, season, current needs of the project, as well as self-motivation. Not every volunteer may be fully involved in all these tasks.


Free-time activities

The small town of Casablanca with about 21,000 inhabitants is located in the wine valley of the same name, between Valparaíso and the capital Santiago de Chile. Santiago can be reached in about an hour, Viña del Mar and several Pacific beaches in 45 minutes to 1 hour and the World Heritage ...

Free-time activities

The small town of Casablanca with about 21,000 inhabitants is located in the wine valley of the same name, between Valparaíso and the capital Santiago de Chile. Santiago can be reached in about an hour, Viña del Mar and several Pacific beaches in 45 minutes to 1 hour and the World Heritage City of Valparaíso in about half an hour.

You live quietly in the country in Casablanca, but you have all options open to experience exciting places, nightlife, culture, hustle and bustle and holiday feeling on the beach in your free time.

Excellent wine is grown all around the Casablanca Valley and many of the beautiful wineries are open for tastings, wine tours and other activities such as trekking or horse riding in the vineyards.

The climate in Casablanca is warm and temperate, in summer the daytime temperatures are around 25 degrees, in winter they fluctuate around 12 degrees. Rain practically only falls in winter (May-August).


Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak Spanish (intermediate level)

Required Documents

CV and Volunteer Questionnaire

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

What's Included

What's Included

Services by South America Inside

  • Single room in Homestay
  • Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  • Advice from our experienced staff
  • On-going support via WhatsApp, phone or mail
  • Elaboration of your application profile in Spanish
  • Your placement in the volunteer project
  • Pre-departure information
  • Packing list
  • Country handbook
  • Intercultural guide
  • On-site volunteer coordinator
  • 24/7 emergency number
  • Advice on travel insurance
  • Certificate of participation

Accommodation

During your time in the volunteer project, you will live in a local household. Your hosts will also take care of your meals so that you can try Chilean home cooking and also have the opportunity to exchange culture and train your Spanish skills. You will be amazed how quickly you will start pickung up the real "Chilean"!

The hosts in Casablanca mostly live in one-story houses that are simple but equipped with everything you need to live. You get a single room and have access to all common areas such as living room, kitchen, garden, etc. The bathroom is most likely shared.

Food & Beverages

The volunteer program includes daily breakfast, lunch and dinner. Special diatry requirements can be taken care of. Vegan and vegetarian options are available upon request.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Airport Pickup at Arturo Merino Benitez Airport

An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Arturo Merino Benitez Airport (SCL) in Santiago. We assist you to find cheap flights to Chile. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Chile provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Chile you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Chile. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

The project can be started year round, start and end dates can be set flexibly.

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

4 weeks (min. stay) 985€
5 weeks 1,124€
6 weeks 1,262€
7 weeks 1,401€
8 weeks 1,539€
9 weeks 1,678€
10 weeks 1,817€
11 weeks 1,955€
12 weeks 2,094€
24 weeks (max. stay) 3,757€
Average fees 201€/week

Program fees

201€ per week 4 - 24 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

4 - 24 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with South America Inside during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

South America Inside

Great 4.4 rating (78 reviews)

Agency - founded in 2003

Verified by Volunteer World

  Good response rate

Coordinated by

Marion

Spoken languages: German, Spanish, English

About the project

South America Inside promotes intercultural, linguistic and educational exchanges. Its volunteer programs are addressed to students, professionals and retirees.

Meet your organization

South America Inside is an intercultural management agency, founded back in 2003, which specializes in the promotion of programs abroad, language travel and educational programs throughout Latin America.

Since 2007, to enrich the experience of our global-minded clients and to provide them with even more possibilities, South America Inside has been expanding their program offerings throughout South and Central America.

Working together with some of the best language schools in Latin America, South America Inside provides high quality language courses in almost every Latin American country.

Thanks to a professional team of motivated and friendly staff, South America Inside has been very successful over the past several years and have been able to establish an outstanding network of what we call "Insider Contacts." To enrich the experience of their clients and to provide them with more possibilities, South America Inside has been expanding our program offerings throughout Central and South America, in addition to our well-established Chilean programs.

Volunteer Work

Do you dream of staying abroad while doing something positive? Are you looking for a unique experience that will leave a mark on your life? Then a Volunteer Work program in South America or Central America is perfect for you!

With South America Inside you can combine an adventure abroad with social commitment, and create lasting memories in Latin America. Support the protection of endangered species; help a local community construct new homes; give new hope to impoverished children.

The possibilities to lend a hand are diverse, as there are the many places where help is needed. We have classified our volunteer projects in different areas so you can easily find the one (or more!) projects that best match your needs and interests.

Why with us

There are many persuasive reasons that speak in favor of South America Inside when it comes to selecting your perfect provider of language, study and volunteer travel abroad. Following, we have prepared a short summary so that you can get us to know a little better.

Our Insider benefits at a glance:

  Regional Experience
Over one decade (established in 2003) of dedication to language, work and study travel programs in Latin America. Thanks to our long standing work and life experience in the South American continent, we know this region really well. Therefore, we can help and inform you in a professional and competent way.

  Multifaceted Offers
Over time we have developed new programs to offer a wide array of work abroad opportunities to our clients. We have been pioneers in launching new exchange programs, as we have been the first in offering Work & Travel/Working Holiday and Farm Stays in Chile and successfully introduced these programs into the market back in 2005. Since 2012, we are the only agency to offer this type of program in Costa Rica.

  Insider Advice
Despite living in the modern era of the internet, we know that reliable and competent advice is still an important criterion for most of us. At South America Inside, you will find the benefits of an internet provider and an independent travel agency. We will be glad to pass on our extensive knowledge and regional experience.!

  Location
It is difficult to run programs when there is nobody “on the ground” to evaluate existing options and search for new opportunities. So, we are located in Chile, on location, and we know everything that is going on first hand. We know what it is like to live as a foreigner in South America and will be happy to assist you in making your stay unforgettable!

  Independence
South America Inside is an independent provider of language courses, internships, volunteer work, Farm Stays and Work & Travel programs in Latin America. We neither depend financially nor structurally on any other company, language school, association or organization. Therefore, we are able to give personalized information in accordance to your needs and availability.

•  Multilingual Team

Our team is multilingual and international! We speak fluent English, Spanish and German, as well as some French and Portuguese. With our customers, we can communicate in their native language and we avoid misunderstandings with local partners by communicating in Spanish with them. You can be sure that there will be an English-speaking contact person for you before, during, and after your stay.

  Customer Service
Excellent customer service is one of the most important goals for South America Inside, and this is evident with the positive feedback we regularly receive from our many happy clients. Emails are answered within 48 business hours and every client is treated with the same friendliness and expertise.

  Gapless and Accurate Information flow
With South America Inside you will have one and the same contact person before, during and after your trip. With that said, we guarantee a gapless and accurate information flow and you will always be very well informed.

  Approved Program Places
Many of our program places, especially in the area of internships and volunteer work, are designed in the way that they will be recognized by most universities, colleges or academies.

78 reviews · rating4.4

lyne bourbonnais rating3.8

2024 at Eco Farm Worker

j'ai bien aimé mon expérience à Antigua qui est une superbe ville facile à visiter. Vivre dans une famille, y prendre les repas est une très belle incursion dans la vie guatémaltèque. et quoi de mieux pour l'immersion en langue espagnole! eco farm: bien qu'au départ je n'ai pas bien saisi ...
GERALDINE QUIRKE rating3.2

2024 at Work in a National Park

When I scheduled volunteer time the indication was that there was a limited number of volunteers based on the projects/work to be done. As more and more volunteers arrived i realized that we were more valued for the money we paid than for the limited amount of work to be done. Also, I felt that ...
Floriana D. rating5

2023 at Local Wildlife Helper

Hey there, I love my experience, it is amazing !!! Tomorrow I am going to visit and I am working, it's going very well ! Thank you for everything!! ...
Ich bin gut auf der Osterinsel angekommen. Wurde von dem Projektleiter am Flughafen abgeholt. Er hatte sogar eine Kollegin mit, die deutsch spricht, sollte ich mit spanisch nicht so gut umgehen können. Echt toll! Die Unterkunft ist gut und ordentlich und groß, sie liegt am Ende der Ortschaft, ...
Emilie Hasni rating4.2

2023 at Help Save Sea Turtles

Magnifique expérience avec les tortues et avec les autres volontaires aussi. Le cadre est magnifique, les couchers de soleil et les balades dans la nature autour du lieu du volontariat sont superbes. Petite info : si tu veux avoir internet, le seul réseau qui fonctionne est Kolbi. Nous on a ...
Laurence M. rating5

2023 at Wildlife Rescue Assistant

The country is magnifique and at this moment all the people who I’ve met are nice. The projet and his place is very cool and the family home stay too! Everything is OK thank you for ...

Location

Americas > South America > Chile > Casablanca

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Contact Marion
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German, Spanish, English

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