• Life On Land

Dog and Cat Shelter Supporter

location
2 - 24 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
rating  Perfect 4.6  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Moderate response rate

Highlights

  • Unlimited love, hugs and cuddles from our 4-legged residents.
  • Gain significant experience in all aspects of animal welfare working alongside people equally as passionate as you.
  • A unique experience where you truly make a difference. For the animals and for yourself.
  • Experience everything that Spain (and in particular the Andalucia region) has to offer with its culture, its climate, its food, its fiestas and its welcome to everyone.
  • Make new friendships and international connections that will last a lifetime.

Especially good for

Age 18+
Singles
Couples

About the program

Do you have a passion for caring for animals and want to work alongside a great team? Our animal-rescue shelter is dependent on our team of dedicated volunteers.

Working at our shelter is a unique experience where you truly make a difference. For the animals and for yourself. It is such rewarding work and our dogs are extremely grateful to you. Lots of cuddles guaranteed! Whether you have a lot of experience or not, we are happy to train you. The most ...

About the program

Working at our shelter is a unique experience where you truly make a difference. For the animals and for yourself. It is such rewarding work and our dogs are extremely grateful to you. Lots of cuddles guaranteed! Whether you have a lot of experience or not, we are happy to train you. The most important thing is that you love animals, enjoy being part of a motivated international team and are fit for the physical work.

Our shelter relies on teams of passionate local and international volunteers. All with a big heart for animals as well as knowledge and experience in animal care. We are helped by foster carers who look after our animals at home when there is no more room at the shelter. On average, about 100 dogs stay at the shelter. Our shelter volunteers help ensure that everything runs smoothly on a daily basis and this includes:-

  • General care: feeding, cleaning kennels/playing areas, washing & medicating
  • Socializing: playing, training and dogwalking 
  • Assistance with our clinical teams 
  • Preparing dogs for adoption or foster care
Our dogs and cats stay at the shelter until they are adopted. Fortunately, many dogs and cats are able to quickly find nice homes.

Tips:
We recommend that you get a tetanus shot prior to your arrival. Please bring:
  • plenty of appropriate work clothes (you will get wet and dirty). 
  • good, sturdy and waterproof shoes. No flip-flops are allowed while working. 
  • earplugs if necessary. The dogs may bark at night. 
  • your international health insurance card/ internationale health card. 
  • plenty of sunscreen with a high sun protection factor. There is a lot of bright sunshine here. If you come in winter, be sure to bring rain gear as well.

Typical day

  • We work a morning shift (9 am - 1:30 pm) and an afternoon shift (3 pm - 6 pm). These times may change depending on the number of dogs staying at the shelter. 
  • Daily duties include cleaning the kennels and play areas, feeding the dogs, giving them medication, walking, training and socialising ...

Typical day

  • We work a morning shift (9 am - 1:30 pm) and an afternoon shift (3 pm - 6 pm). These times may change depending on the number of dogs staying at the shelter. 
  • Daily duties include cleaning the kennels and play areas, feeding the dogs, giving them medication, walking, training and socialising them.  
    • General care: feeding, cleaning kennels/playing areas, washing & medicating
    • Socializing: playing, training and dogwalking 
    • Assistance with our clinical teams 
    • Preparing dogs for adoption (transport) or foster care

  • We train everyone who comes to work with us. During your first shifts in a new department, you will always be working alongside an experienced volunteer. This allows you to really get to know the shelter, all of the departments as well as our dogs. 
  • If you live at the shelter you will have 4 shifts off per week, these could be given as full days or half days. 
  • The shelter is located in a quiet area, not far from the beach and pleasant Spanish villages (Mojácar, Vera, Garucha and Villaricos) and places of interest. So there is plenty to do on your days off. Our local volunteers are happy to help you with transport for grocery shopping, a day at the beach, or other outings in the area. Mojácar and Vera also have public transportation. 

Free-time activities

  • The shelter is located just a few kilometres from the busy coastal resort of Mojácar. Mojácar has 9 km of amazing coastline with fantastic beaches and hundreds of bars & restaurants to suit all tastes. It is a very cosmopolitan town that attracts visitors from around the world. In addition to the ...

Free-time activities

  • The shelter is located just a few kilometres from the busy coastal resort of Mojácar. Mojácar has 9 km of amazing coastline with fantastic beaches and hundreds of bars & restaurants to suit all tastes. It is a very cosmopolitan town that attracts visitors from around the world. In addition to the Playa area, Mojácar also has its historic old-town which is the typical white-washed Andalucian 'pueblo' and offers a completely different experience to the the playa. 
  • There are other pleasant Spanish villages nearby like Vera, Garucha and Villaricos.
  • Within a 15 minute walk of the shelter is a popular campsite with many amenities including an outdoor pool where our volunteers can relax in their free time. 
  • In the area you can also do various outdoor activities.

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 (basic level)

Nationality Restrictions

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

Other Skills

Work at the shelter can often be physically demanding so we ask that you consider this when applying for the role. In order to work well together, it is important that you can express yourself in English.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 09:00 - 18:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by PAWS-PATAS

Our program fees include on-site accommodation, a minimal contribution to our energy & water costs, together with an end-of-stay cleaning charge.

A €25 security charge will be refunded if there are no damages or breakages identified.


Accommodation

There are opportunities for temporary housing at the shelter. Lots of fun with other international volunteers! Our facilities include:

  • two mobile homes (Casa Azul and Casa Verde) that you will share with other internsand volunteers. These mobile homes have their own kitchen including a refrigerator. There is a shared washroom (shower, sink, toilet) and a washing machine.
  • one caravan (Casa Ariana) with a kitchen and refrigerator. There is a shared washroom (shower, sink, toilet) and a washing machine.
  • two recently renovated studio flats (Casita Jungle and Casa Pablo)
    • Casita Jungle is a cosy little studio flat with its own cooking area and a refrigerator. There is a separate shower room including toilet and sink next to the studio. 
    • Casa Pablo is a spacious studio flat, with a kitchen, dining area, bathroom and double bedroom. This studio is reserved for administrators who work full-time at the shelter for an extended period.

Please contact us for details of the accommodation that will be available for the dates that you are considering.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Airport Pickup at Almeria Airport

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

Food & Beverages

Food, snacks or beverages are at extra costs.

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Almeria Airport (LEI) in Almeria. We assist you to find cheap flights to Spain. 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 Spain provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

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

Details on arrival

You can help us all year round. 

If you want to stay in one of our accommodations, please book in time so that they are available during the period that you want to stay at our shelter.  

  • If we are picking you up from the airport or bus station, we will make sure that you can do some grocery shopping either on the way to the shelter or after you have arrived.
  • If you are coming with your own transport, you can park your car at the shelter.
  • If you are staying at the shelter, we ask that you arrive between 9 am and 6 pm so we are able to welcome you and show you around.

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

Program fees

2 weeks (min. stay) 130€
4 weeks 210€
5 weeks 250€
6 weeks 290€
7 weeks 330€
8 weeks 370€
9 weeks 410€
10 weeks 450€
24 weeks (max. stay) 1,010€
Average fees 53€/week

Program fees

53€ per week 2 - 24 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES

Duration

2 - 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 PAWS-PATAS during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

Meet your organization

PAWS-PATAS

Perfect 4.6 rating (13 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 1989

Verified by Volunteer World

  Moderate response rate

Coordinated by

Antoinette

Spoken languages: English, Dutch

About the project

We operate an animal rescue shelter (dogs & cats) in south-east Spain. Animals either stay with us at the shelter or in foster homes until they find their forever home

Meet your organization

Hi everyone and welcome to PAWS-PATAS.

Who we are:- We are a local animal shelter, established in 1989, located in south-east Spain near the popular coastal resort of Mojácar in the province of Almería.

We do not receive any regular statutory funding and so rely entirely on fundraising (through our retail outlets and individual events) and donations from our fantastic supporters. 

Almost all of entire organisational workforce is made up of volunteers who collectively dedicate thousands of hours every month to keep our shelter running and ensure that the animals receive the most amazing love and care whilst they're with us. 

The shelter has dedicated on-site accommodation for international volunteers and we offer a number of roles within our popular volunteering programme. 

What we do:- We care for dogs & cats that, through no fault of their own, have found themselves in need of a new home. They either reside with us at our shelter or are looked after by our team of amazing foster carers that provide temporary accommodation whilst we source their forever homes across the world.

Where we work:- We are based in the small town of Los Gallardos in the Almería region of Andalucía in southern Spain. We are just 15 minutes from the beautiful and popular tourist destination of Mojácar with its miles of beaches and extensive bars & restaurants & activities. Spain is considered to be one of the safest destinations for travel in Europe. 

Our mission/vision:- To provide the best care possible for the animals in need, and to do our upmost to find them their loving forever homes.

Who are we looking for?:- Energetic and resilient individuals with a passion for caring for animals and for connecting with people. It's a huge team effort here at Paws-Patas!

Why choose us?:- Volunteering at Paws-Patas offers such a wide range of experience. You'll get to meet a whole host of four-legged furry characters, each with their unique personality and each with their own story. You'll play a pivotal part in their life journey in helping them get to their forever homes whilst meeting other likeminded people from all around the world. You'll also sample life in one of the most beautiful regions of Spain with its culture, language and climate.

What you need to know: Unfortunately we cannot arrange visas or provide documents for this, so if you need a visa to come to Europe you will have to arrange this yourself.

13 reviews · rating4.6

Christiane Giorgiutti rating4.6

2024 at Dog and Cat Shelter Supporter

Le chiens sont bien traités, croquettes et nettoyage des boxes 2 fois par jour. Il manque des volontaires pour promener les chiens. Toutefois, j'aimerais attirer l'attention sur les panneaux métallique que vous mettez autour des boxes, qui chauffent en été, les chiens vont étouffer par la ...
Nina Benz rating2.2

2024 at Dog and Cat Shelter Supporter

I planned to stay for over 2 weeks at this shelter in Spain. After many things weren't as described I left after only 5 days. First: the shelter is in the middle of nowhere, if you don't have your own car, you can't to anything in your free time. The other volunteers can't take you anywhere if they ...
Suzanne Pero rating5

2023 at Dog and Cat Shelter Supporter

Paws Patas is an amazing dogshelter based near Mojacar in Spain. They are taking care of around 100 dogs and there is a different section for cats as well. You can stay on the terrain of the shelter in the provided caravans. Working hours are from 9.00-13.30 and from 15.00 -18.00/ 18.30. There is a ...
Sarah Allan rating5

2023 at Dog and Cat Shelter Supporter

My husband and myself arrived at paws at the start of January & we are still here now!! We live on site which has all the necessary facilities. After rescuing 2 girl Street dogs (1 was pregnant) in lockdown & later was joined by 8 puppies in our motorhome when we returned to Spain I just knew we ...
Jinte Kipping rating4.8

2023 at Dog and Cat Shelter Supporter

I had the best 15 weeks at paws! I was there for my internship and learned a lot for my education! They really want to help to improve the strays in Spain. They take good care and try to give them the best possible live!! I loved my internship there and would go again! ...
Belinda Verton rating4.8

2023 at Dog and Cat Shelter Supporter

Very welcoming staff, great accommodations and the sweetest doggies. I had a wonderful time when I volunteered. I learned a lot and if I needed help with anything, the staff was always happy to help. I really felt appreciated. The doggies are the best! They love the attention and cuddles you give ...

Location

Europe > Southern Europe > Spain > Los Gallardos

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Contact Antoinette
  Moderate response rate
English, Dutch

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