Quick Facts
Program code
CL-VOL105
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
The streetscape of Chile's capital Santiago (and many other cities) is unfortunately dominated by stray dogs and cats. These animals are forced to be real survivors, as you can see from the fact that they have learned to wait side by side with the pedestrians at the traffic lights and then cross the street in the protection of the crowd with green! But many survive more badly than right: Due to the food from the garbage, untreated diseases and injuries, the health of these animals is often miserable.
Fortunately, there are people with a big heart for animals who are committed to saving and protecting them. You can be one of them when volunteering in this project!
In our volunteer project in Santiago de Chile, local volunteers work alongside volunteers from around the world to improve the situation of the animals on the street. The aim is always to take care of the dogs and cats to such an extent that they find a new home with loving owners.
If you love animals and want to help improve the lives of dogs and cats in Santiago, this project is for you. Combine your passion for animals with a good cause!
Tasks
In our project for street dogs and cats, you can show your big heart for animals and give them affection and care - perhaps for the first time in their lives.
- Caring for the animals (feeding, bathing, combing, walking dogs)
- Feeding weak and young animals (puppies and kittens) with a bottle
- Cleaning the cages and enclousures
- Drug administration and support with sterilization procedures (if possible)
- Assisting with rescue activities where animals are brought in from the street
- Distributing of food for animals that live on the streets
- Public relations, educational work and maintenance of the websites
- Supporting the adoption process
Although no previous experience in animal care is required for this type of volunteer work, you should be patient and have a high sense of responsibility. Likewise, you should not be afraid of dogs and/or cats, as they will be the primary focus of your volunteer work in Chile.
If you are fond of animals and like dogs and cats around you, this volunteer service may not seem like work to you at all. Nonetheless, there are, of course, tasks that must be done responsibly
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) 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
Placement fee: US$ 100 (minimum duration 2 weeks)
Extra week: US$ 10
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
Placement fee: US$ 475 (minimum duration 2 weeks)
Extra week: US$ 175
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: A donation of CLP 50.000 (ca. US$ 50) can be paid directly to the project in cash or by means of food for the animals. This donation is voluntary, but very much needed.
Our tips (experience more + see more = save $$)
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All our stay abroad programs can be combined with each other: So, you can combine different volunteer projects in the same country or in different countries, or you mix Working Holiday with volunteer work or Farm Stay with Working Holiday ...and so on âŠ
Your creativity knows no limits. The longer your stay abroad in Latin America, the greater the discount you get from South America Inside. Below you can see how much you can save:
If you need assistance in putting together your personal experience abroad, then please contact us. Our experienced staff will help you to set up your tailor-made stay abroad.
Volunteer Guide
Find valuable information about volunteering abroad in our program guides. Find out about all the benefits, possibilities and challenges, that a stay abroad offers you. Read more about the great opportunities that South America Inside has at your disposal.
Browse through our section Reading Matter!