from 530€

Very Good 4.3rating (14)

Animal Rescue and Protection

location
2 - 50 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Very Good 4.3  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Help abandoned animals on the streets and prepare them to find a new home
  • Learn and practice Spanish while helping the animal population
  • Gain experience in veterinary activities and develop your profession passionately
  • Experience the satisfaction of being part of the difference helping to improve the quality of life of abandoned dogs and cats.
  • Enjoy one of the most beautiful cities in Latin America, its beautiful landscapes and friendly people.

Especially good for

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+

About the program

Rescue abandoned dogs and cats, take care of them and prepare them to reach a loving family. Participate in the organization of public awareness campaigns.

Currently, there are many abandoned animals on the streets of Ecuador, largely due to the lack of public awareness to care for, raise and give their pets a permanent home. In this project, every day you join the fight to rescue them from the streets, many times they are injured or show great signs ...

About the program

Currently, there are many abandoned animals on the streets of Ecuador, largely due to the lack of public awareness to care for, raise and give their pets a permanent home. In this project, every day you join the fight to rescue them from the streets, many times they are injured or show great signs of malnutrition and abuse. You help the team of veterinarians and volunteers to heal their physical wounds and with love and good daily treatment to also heal their emotional wounds so that they are able to trust people again. Then you take them to the shelter together to try to find them a new and lasting home.

This project promotes respect and solidarity towards all forms of animal life, without distinction of species.
The main objective of our partner project is to actively contribute to a civilizational transformation that enables planetary coexistence in a comprehensive framework of non-violence. To achieve this, the following strategic priority areas have been established: legal, educational, concrete actions, training of activists.
All programs designed in the various strategic areas respond to the policy of eradication of all human practices that involve abuse, exploitation and mistreatment of other animal species.


Typical day

In this program it is appreciated to have at least three hours of work daily (Monday to Friday). You usually start the day by having breakfast at 7am in the host family or volunteer house and then you can calmly head towards the project. Here, it is possible to help the whole day from 9am to 5pm but ...

Typical day

In this program it is appreciated to have at least three hours of work daily (Monday to Friday). You usually start the day by having breakfast at 7am in the host family or volunteer house and then you can calmly head towards the project. Here, it is possible to help the whole day from 9am to 5pm but it is also possible to help for a minimum of three hours a day.

This volunteer program allows you to transmit your love for animals during your stay in Ecuador. With daily tasks you help well-being and rehabilitation in a positive way after being rescued. In this program it offers you to experience volunteering but also an internship abroad. A typical day may include the following:

  • Support public awareness campaigns about animals.
  • If you have a study related to veterinary activities, you also help with the different medical needs of dogs and cats.
  • Help with the maintenance of the shelter
  • Clean the shelter
  • Give affection through trust games and activities
  • Feed the dogs
  • Sterilization campaigns to avoid overpopulation and abandonment of animals
  • Promote adoption instead of buying pets

Free-time activities

IN AND AROUND CUENCA
Volunteer participants have their meeting point in Quito or can fly directly to Cuenca. Cuenca is one of the most beautiful cities in Ecuador, it is also one of the favorite cities of many foreigners to retire, it is not called the little France of Latin America for nothing. This ...

Free-time activities

IN AND AROUND CUENCA
Volunteer participants have their meeting point in Quito or can fly directly to Cuenca. Cuenca is one of the most beautiful cities in Ecuador, it is also one of the favorite cities of many foreigners to retire, it is not called the little France of Latin America for nothing. This city has so much history! As you walk through the historic center and its characteristic streets, in addition to its architecture, you will constantly be attracted by the markets, the local works of art and people still wearing their colonial era attire.

The surroundings of Cuenca are full of wonderful small towns and cities, such as the Cajas National Park, the Ingapirca ruins of the Incas, Azoguez, Chordeleg and spectacular mountains and rivers. Despite being located in the Andes mountain range, Cuenca also enjoys a spring-like climate.

Participants in this project will stay with local families or in our volunteer house in an excellent location to visit local sites and venture out to explore the surrounding area and other tourist sites.

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 English (intermediate level) or Spanish (basic level)

Nationality Restrictions

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

Other Skills

To help as a volunteer with the different care and protection activities you just need to have a lot of love for animals. But if you want to help in the veterinary clinic, it is necessary to have related studies.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 09:00 - 17:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Foundation Local Dreamers

The mentioned costs involve room, board, airport pickup and preperation & guidance as well as a one-time contribution towards the project.

Airport Pickup at Mariscal Lamar International Airport

If you arrive in Quito, a member of our team will be waiting for you at the airport to take you to our office. There you will receive a lot of information and important details, you sleep in our volunteer house and the next day you can travel by bus or plane to Cuenca. In both cases or if you decide to go directly to Cuenca, you will be received by a member of the team in Cuenca who will guide you to your lodging and the next day will provide you with all the necessary advice to start the project.

Accommodation

You will stay in one of our certified host families, who will be delighted to receive you in their home and to share with you an unforgettable cultural exchange experience and you will experience the flavors of Ecuadorian food (breakfast and dinner included) There is also the option of staying in our volunteer house if you want to live more independently and share your free time with other volunteers like you. In both cases, basic services such as internet, water, electricity and drinking water are included. You will enjoy a good hot shower. The rooms and bathroom are shared.

Food & Beverages

With the host family you will have breakfast and dinner included. Allergies and vegetarian or vegan diets are taken into account. A typical breakfast usually includes bread, cheese, eggs, ham. Coffee, juice or tea. Dinners can include rice accompanied by vegetables, salad and different meats or meat substitutes. From time to time you can be surprised with a delicious and unique food typical of the country or the region. In addition, Cuenca has top quality water so you will always have clean and drinkable water available

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Mariscal Lamar International Airport (CUE) in Cuenca. We assist you to find cheap flights to Ecuador. 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 Ecuador provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

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

Details on arrival

Feel free to join us in every time of the year, our projects are open during the whole year. We don't have specific arrival days, just search your most ideal flight. Our coordinators are available to welcome you on every day of the week, also during the weekend.
Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

2 weeks (min. stay) 530€
3 weeks 762€
4 weeks 992€
5 weeks 1,224€
9 weeks 2,148€
17 weeks 3,997€
50 weeks (max. stay) 11,625€
Average fees 248€/week

Program fees

248€ per week 2 - 50 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

2 - 50 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 Foundation Local Dreamers during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Foundation Local Dreamers

Very Good 4.3 rating (14 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 2011

Verified by Volunteer World

  Excellent response rate

Coordinated by

Aldert

Spoken languages: Spanish, English, Dutch

About the project

Local Dreamers is an organization that was founded by a small group of young idealists. It is created out of the passion for South-America and Ecuador in particular.

Meet your organization

After the establishment of Local Dreamers in November 2011, our Dutch founders Aldert Schriemer and Jesse van Woestijne first ran a pilot project in Quito, Ecuador, in 2012. Six years later, we are still pursuing our dream every day: deploying talent development, sport, language and creativity to develop personal and social development, self-confidence and entrepreneurship. 

Our story

We are a young team that operates quickly, openly, involved, passionately and dynamically. Every day we try to share our dreams with the community and try to make the dreams of the community come true. We do this with a healthy amount of energy and fun, but above all with an important objective: to contribute to a world that makes people happy. Step by step.

Our top mission

To create an inspiring and safe learning environment in which Ecuadorian children, youngsters and international volunteers can discover, develop, share and connect their talents and dreams with each other. We focus on the needs of both worlds and connect their different cultures and people with one another.

We use talent, sport, education, creativity and communication in order to create social development, confidence and entrepreneurship. Our goal is to build fruitful, self-sustaining projects and to convey them to local project coordinators.

  • Create ties
We create ties that last between different worlds, cultures and people. We try to broaden one´s view on the world, both for involved Ecuadorians as for international volunteers.

  •  Offer a safe environment

We offer a safe environment in which Ecuadorian children and youngsters between the ages of 6 to 16 year, regardless of gender, race, socioeconomic background, can discover and develop their talents.

  • Create self-sustaining projects

We create self-sustaining projects, which will be governed by the inhabitants of the project areas within 10 years, after which Local Dreamers’ role in the projects will be limited to advising and controlling.

  • Contribute to a better world

We arouse the interest and enthusiasm of international ‘dreamers’ in contributing to a better world by sharing knowledge, experiences, passions and talents with one another.

  • Stimulate social development

We use sports and games, language, creativity and (intercultural) communication to stimulate the personal and social development of Ecuadorian children and teenagers.

  • Contribute to local initiatives

We contribute to small-scale local initiatives through the knowledge, experience, passion and talent of international volunteers. Projects which have enough basis to survive without our presence.

14 reviews · rating4.3

Michele Vigano rating4.6

2023 at Soccer Trainer at the Ecuadorian Coast

Sono stato in un periodo non semplice per l’Ecuador, inizio Gennaio 2024. Nonostante questo sono riuscito a godermi a pieno un paese magnifico, con delle problematiche ma tanto potenziale. La scuola calcio è gestita alla grande da Adrian, Joshua e Klever. Sono davvero delle persone stupende e ...
Local Dreamers is providing healthy meals for kids. It is creating a safe and fun place for children and family members. Volunteers prepared fresh food and healthy meals. ..
Lars Rumawatine rating5

2022 at Child Care Worker at Youth Center

Amazing project in the South of Quito for the children who need it the most. I really liked the companionship with my fellow volunteers while doing some of the groceries and preparing dinner for the children. The smiles on the children's faces, while they were eating and playing games, were ...
Ruth Sophie Schrapper rating5

2022 at Conservation of Nature

I had two amazing weeks at Hacienda la Soledad with Eduardo, Carlos and basically the whole family because we even ended up joining the barbecue with the whole family! In two weeks we did something new every day and still had the afternoons and weekend to explore San Cristobal and the other islands! ...
Simona Tamburrino rating1

2022 at Child Care Worker at Youth Center

# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # PROJECT STATEMENT BELOW # # # # # # # # # # # #Leider wurde mein Misstrauen nach nur einer Woche Aufenthalt in Quito gebrochen. Mein Weltanschauungsbild hinsichtlich Freiwilligenarbeit wurde von Local Dreamers komplett zerstört. Ich glaube nicht mehr daran, dass das ...
Stefanie Reiter rating2.2

2021 at Teacher at a Swimming School

***Project Statement Below*** I signed up for the project "Teacher at a Swimming School" and expected to work as a swimming teacher during my volunteering time. Surprisingly I've been told on my first day that I was also in charge of teaching English (to adults and kids) and soccer (to kids). As ...

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Contact Aldert
  Excellent response rate
Spanish, English, Dutch

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