Animal Rescue, Assistance & Care

It is advantageous if the volunteer or intern has already worked in an animal shelter or a veterinarian clinic, is a veterinary student or a dog walker, etc. But even with little experience, you will be of great help! It is important to keep in mind that the work includes some physical work like cleaning kennels and being outside. Nevertheless, the animals’ love and affection that you will be met with are worth all of the effort!

You will have multiple opportunities to be involved with and we encourage you to choose activities that fit your skills, abilities, and preferences. We are constantly adapting our activities to community needs and volunteer numbers and capacities. If you wish to specialize in a particular activity we will do our best to accommodate your personal preferences, but you can be asked to be involved in a combination of activities while being placed in this program

Although project work will be provided, volunteers are encouraged to come up with their ideas and initiatives. This is an excellent opportunity to practice all your skills and learn new ones!

HOLIDAYS: Christmas Holidays from December 16 until January 06, 2025.

Attention: Volunteers are welcome to stay at our Volunteer Guesthouse during the Dominican Christmas and New Year holidays! Even though working and business life comes to a halt through this two-week period when the whole country is celebrating Christmas, our volunteers are welcome to celebrate Christmas and New Year together with us and the Dominican people!

COSTS & BENEFITS: Aldeas de Paz works hard to keep the required financial contribution to an absolute minimum and to offer financial transparency by practicing an open book policy. The minimum contribution starts at €155 per week (after the second week) and includes Spanish language classes and accommodation at our fully equipped guesthouse apartments, a special program donation as well as a personal welcome service and pick-up at the airport, transfer to the bus, bus fare and free transfer to your placement location.

SPECIAL OFFER: Spanish language classes – volunteers and interns receive free language lessons every week. The classes focus on developing communication skills so that students can put their knowledge to practical use as soon as they step outside the classroom. Our teaching method enables students to develop four basic skills: listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. The idea is to learn Spanish naturally and spontaneously, just as students have learned their mother tongue. Our students are encouraged to speak Spanish right from the very first day, using it in typical real-life situations: the basic syllabus is supplemented by special exercises, such as role-play, situational dialogues, and work projects. Outside the classroom, the learning process continues as you are immersed in the Spanish language and the Dominican culture.

The key requirements for a volunteer or intern are initiative, enthusiasm, and readiness to work in unfamiliar circumstances. This program is suitable for a wide range of students, professionals, and everybody who loves animals!
It is also available to pre-university students interested in a career in animal medicine. More specialized skills will allow for more specialized activities. Basic Spanish skills are welcome, but not mandatory. To enhance your experience as a volunteer/intern we offer free Spanish language lessons every week.

Please bring these items: Gloves, Hand sanitizer, Masks, Work clothes.
Optionally /additionally you can also bring: Small bags of dog or cat treats, Food and water bowls, Plates and bowls, Chew toys, Bones and treats, Brushes and combs, Towels, Cotton and gauze, Paper towels, Cat scratchers, Collars and leashes, ID tags

Volunteer placement or Internship?  As a volunteer, you are free to commit any number of hours per week. That’s up to you! As an intern, however, you probably have to fulfill requirements set by your school or university. Just mark the tab on the inquiry form and inform us of your school or university internship requirements in advance so that we can work out your personalized work plan together. Also, tell us about your expectations and goals and we will see how we can help you achieve them.

Availability: This program is ongoing throughout the whole year

Placement Locations: Las Terrenas, RD

Time Commitment: A minimum time commitment of 4 weeks is required.

Important:
Each traveler to the Dominican Republic is required to fulfill correctly the information on the electronic ticket for the General Directorate of Migration. After entering the data, you will receive a QR code that has to be presented already at the airline check-in. Please click here before you take your flight: eticket.migracion.gob.do