Quick Facts
Program code
CL-VOL107
Category
Volunteer Work, Animal Welfare
Country
Chile
Location
Santiago de Chile
Program start
flexible start and end dates all year-round
Minimum duration
2 weeks
Minimum age
17 years
Contact us
Happy to help you
(+1) 954 762 7607
(+56) 9 7516 9816
(+49) 7735 425 339
skype: chileinside
8 am - 4 pm EST
Program details
If you arrive in Chile as a visitor and especially in the state capital Santiago, you will quickly notice a sad fact: Lots of dogs and cats have been abandoned and live in very poor condition on the streets.
Do you love cats? Would you like to show your heart for animals abroad? Volunteering in our shelter for stree cats is your chance to be surrounded by these little cute tigers all day long and to care for them.
This volunteer project was founded in 2010 and is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and resettlement of stray cats in Santiago.
The focus of this project is cats, so cat lovers will greatly enjoy being able to offer their love and attention to many cats that have been rescued from the streets. The shelter provides a foster home and much needed veterinary care to the abandoned, neglected, and abused kitties. The organization regularly carries out adoption events for the nearly 200 cats that are cared for by the shelter.
Most of the cats are rescued from the streets, while others have been removed from dangerous living conditions by concerned citizens. Many of the cats that arrive are pregnant and need a safe place to give birth. There also needs to be a safe environment where the mother can be cared for and fed as she nurtures the newborns.
Others arrive extremely sick, malnourished, or with serious injuries after having been abused or having lived on the streets for many years. Once in the shelter, the cats receive basic care, such as food, water, vaccinations, socialization (with other cats and humans), and treatment for their injuries/illnesses. Additional veterinary help is given, if needed, such as sterilization, medical therapy, and more.
The organization survives on public and partner donations, receiving nearly all the goods provided to the cats (food, cat litter) via donation from known domestic animal goods brands.
Tasks
This volunteer project would not exist without the help of local volunteers. Their help is extremely important in keeping this project alive and maintaining happy and healthy cats at the shelter. They also carry out adoption events and continue to rescue cats from the streets. There are very few programs in Chile dedicated to street cats, as most are committed to street dogs, which is also a huge problem in Chile due to the lack of education regarding pets, sterilization, and general animal care.
If you love cats and want to support a local shelter with their daily activities, this opportunity is perfect for you, and your help will be invaluable.
As a volunteer, you will help with various activities, such as:
- Feeding the cats
- Cleaning and maintenance of the facilities and cages
- Cleaning blankets and cat beds
- Cleaning and refilling feeding bowls
- Cleaning litter boxes
- Accompanying veterinary treatments (not possible for all volunteers)
- Help with adoption processing (not always possible)
You will have the chance to actively work with all types of cats and improve their living conditions. If you have veterinary experience, or additional experience working with domestic animals, you can also assist with giving them medication, vaccinations, and other common treatments.
In addition, your simple actions can make a big difference, such as socializing with them, giving them affection, and supporting their general rehabilitation after a hard life on the street. This will improve their behavior and health and prepare them to be handled and adopted by loving families. You don’t have to be a cat expert to participate in this volunteer program in Chile. A genuine love of cats and willingness to help is all you need to make a vital contribution to the well-being and future of cats in Santiago. These abandoned animals truly depend on the commitment of animal-lovers like you. If you are a vet, vet student, or someone who just loves cats, please join this volunteer program!
Working hours are between 20 and 40 hours / week.
This project is also available as a half-day position in connection with a Spanish course in Santiago de Chile.
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.
Accommodation
During your volunteer work in Chile, you will be accommodated in a local homestay. You will have a single room and share common areas with your house mates. Our homestays are of different size, some only rent one room others rent several rooms. Half-board (breakfast + dinner) is not usually provided but can be added upon request.
We carefully select the accommodations and make sure that they are located in nice and safe neighborhoods with good infrastructure and public means of transportation. Typically, you can find supermarkets, restaurants, bars, and shopping centers nearby. Internet access is available at 100% of our accommodations.
Note: Only our premium package includes the accommodation.
Location
Santiago de Chile is located almost exactly in the middle of Chile, halfway between the north and south and also about half way between the Argentine border and the ocean.
The capital of Chile is an amazing city and one of the few metropolises in the world where you can actually ask yourself the question: "Going to the sea today and skiing tomorrow, or would you prefer the other way around?" since beautiful beaches are at the same distance like world-class ski slopes (and trekking routes during summer) in the Andes Mountains. Santiago de Chile divides Chile into the fertile south and the dry, mineral-rich north.
And the city itself has something for everyone: there are beautiful places to relax, old colonial buildings and a lively urban culture with museums, street artists, theaters and more; small craft markets and green meadows, countless restaurants and pubs in beautiful nightlife areas.
And above all, there is the flair of an up-and-coming metropolis that combines the characteristics of a modern capital with those of a colonial city steeped in history.
This is where the heart of Chile's economy and progress beats and about a third of the Chileans are at home here. The Santiaguinos are usually friendly and helpful people and as a foreigner you can quickly find a connection. Santiago is also home to numerous universities, which has led to a lively international student life, especially in the past two decades.
Language skills
Spanish at communication level. For optimal preparation for your volunteer work in Chile, we advise you to take a Spanish course before the program starts. This gives you the opportunity to slowly get used to the language, culture and mentality.
You can book your Spanish course in Chile directly with us!
Requirements
- Spanish skills (book your Spanish course in Chile!)
- Minimum age 17 years
- Application at least 4 weeks before the desired start of the program. Read more about our application process here.
- Completion of a foreign travel health insurance (get your travel insurance here!)
Pre-departure and in-country support
Before arrival, our experienced team will be at your disposal to assist you throughout the booking process and travel planning. With the booking confirmation you will receive our 24-hour emergency number, so that you can reach us 24/7 in case of emergency.
In addition to the assistance given by our office in Santiago de Chile you will be supported by an on-site volunteer coordinator.
Costs & Services
Volunteer Work Basic includes:
- 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
Application fee: US$ 150
Program fee: US$ 100 (minimum duration 2 weeks)
Extra week: US$ 15
Additionally, you can book:
Volunteer Work Premium includes:
- Single room in homestay
- Internet access at homestay
- Airport pick-up in Santiago
- 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
Application fee: US$ 150
Program fee: US$ 455 (minimum duration 2 weeks)
Extra week: US$ 170
Additionally, you can book:
- US$ 75/week for half-board suplement (breakfast & dinner)
- Spanish course in Chile
- Spanish courses in Latin America
- Travel Health Insurance
Note: Volunteers are encouraged to make a donation of CLP 25.000 (ca. US$ 30) to buy animal food and vet supply.
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Volunteer Guide
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