Animal Rescue and Farm Maintenance
Coordinator | Manfred
Coordinator | Manfred
Book with Flex Option!
Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
Highlights
Experience the Dominican style of live and chill by the rhythm of Caribbean music!
Gain Spanish fluency with the help of our free Spanish classes and share daily life with locals
Become more passionate about your studies and propel your career with international experience!
Make memories you never forget during weekend excursions with your fellow participants!
Enjoy the gorgeous beaches of Samana, climb the mountain peaks of pico Duarte and visit historical sites in Santo Domingos' colonial town!
Perfect for animal lovers and aspiring veterinarians, help rescue neglected animals and assist the veterinary service. There is always a lot to do and support is needed.
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 16+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+
ANIMAL CARE & FARM MAINTENANCE – Help rescue neglected animals, provide care and assist maintaining the farm!
Program Description
In the Dominican Republic there are plenty of dogs in need of being rescued, cared for and placed at a loving home.
Many dogs are homeless and sick, and you often also find neglected and malnourished horses, mules and cats. It is rare that anyone cares about these animals or gives them the affection and nurturing that they need. The local Veterinary Service provides emergency veterinary services, home and finds dog lovers overseas who are willing to adopt rescued dogs! This Dog rescue project is the perfect placement for volunteers and interns. Volunteer positions are for people without a veterinary background who are dog lovers and would like to be part of a great project that takes care of the well-being of man’s best friend. By raising awareness and educating children about how animals can increase our well-being if we take care of them, you can also contribute to improving the situation in the long run. There is always a lot to do and your support is much needed to be able to continue providing care to the animals and finding new homes, especially for the dogs. You can become a part of this project by taking care of the animals, training them and assisting in maintaining the Kennels. The team also always needs experienced vets or vet students that can assist during surgeries, neutering campaigns or similar. If you are a veterinarian or veterinary student you will love this program.
Volunteer placement, apprenticeship or internship
You can join this program as a volunteer, apprentice or intern. As a volunteer you are free to commit any number of hours per week. That's up to you! As an apprentice or intern however you probably have to fulfill requirements set by your school or university. Please 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 personal expectations and goals. We are happy to give students academic credit or provide a report outlining the learning outcomes and deliverables achieved during the placement.
Requirements
Overall there is no previous experience required to participate in the program, but of course you have to be an animal lover. A typical Animal Care & Farm Maintenance volunteer or intern has already worked in animal shelters, is a student in a veterinary school or a dog walker, etc. However, a person without any specific experience or training who just really loves animals and wants to help care for them is welcome as well. He or she needs to be enthusiastic, proactive, ready for a challenge and willing to do maintenance work. It also includes physical work like cleaning kennels and stables and being outside a lot. Nevertheless, the animals’ love and affection that you will be met with are worth all of the effort! Friendliness, commitment and patience are among significant qualities. Basic Spanish skills are helpful, but an advanced level of Spanish experience will open up more opportunities. In order to enable deeper integration into the community, we provide free Spanish classes on a weekly basis, full support and 24/7 backup.
Intern abroad
Animal Shelter
Horse
Language Course
Veterinary Training
Cats
Horse Sanctuary
Dogs
Learn Spanish
Typical day
What to expect
It is of advantage 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 farm includes some physical work like cleaning kennels and stables and being outside. Nevertheless, the animals’ love and affection that you will be met with are worth all of the effort!
Activities can include but are not limited to
- Caring for dogs, maintaining the kennels and taking them for a walk
- Developing and executing awareness rising and educational activities and improve the situation of neglected animals in the long run
- Supporting the veterinarians during medical treatments or operations to neuter or spay animals
- Participation in the annual castration campaign
- Support for the admission of new patients and other administrative procedures
Free-time activities
Program Highlights
- Experience the Dominican style of live and chill by the rhythm of Caribbean music!
- Gain Spanish fluency with the help of our free Spanish classes and share daily life with locals
- Become more passionate about your studies and propel your career with international experience!
- Make memories you never forget during weekend excursions with your fellow participants!
- Enjoy the gorgeous beaches of Samana, climb the mountain peaks of pico Duarte and visit historical sites in Santo Domingos' colonial town!
What makes the Dominican Republic and Samana such a special destiny?
Samana is the name of both the peninsula and its biggest town located at Samana bay in the northeastern part of the Dominican Republic. It is a dramatically beautiful peninsula, like an island unto itself, of coconut trees stretching into the sea. The town of Samana is a scenic, beautiful and peaceful port, with friendly and easy-going Dominicans, living their life with tourism, agriculture and fishing activities, all set to the beat and rhythms of Merengue, Bachata and Salsa music. The Malecon (seaside promenade) of two kilometers length is perfect for strolling by day and night. It is the perfect place to while away the evening in a relaxing atmosphere in one of the many surrounding restaurants and bars. Hundreds of fantastic beaches surround the peninsula of Samana, which can be explored during a day trip or for the whole weekend. Experience the Dominican style of live and chill by the rhythm of Caribbean music!
Other highlights nearby are:
- Las Galeras y El Rincon - A small fisherman's town with beautiful beaches surrounded by nature. Travel by Bus (45 minutes / US$ 2,-)
- El Limón - Famous waterfall and swimming. Travel by Bus (20 minutes / US$ 1,50,-)
- Cayo Levantado - Small Island with beautiful beaches just of the coastline in Samana. Travel by Boat (15 minutes / US$ 2,-)
- Parque National de los Haiteses - Park made of mangroves, caves with ancient paintings and beautiful bays with pristine beaches. Magnificent limestone caves to explore. Travel by Boat 60 minutes / US$ 10,-
- Playa El Valle - A small fisherman's settlement with a beautiful beach surrounded by pristine nature. Travel by Moto Concho (MotoTaxi) (20 Minutes / US$ 3,-)
- Great Kitesurfing beaches near Las Terrenas only an hour from Samana! The whole Peninsula of Samana is a wild and precious natural gem! People are extremely friendly and nature is gorgeous!
- Whale-Watching - From mid-January to late March the bay is home to some of the world's best whale-watching
Water Sports
Swimming
Concert/
Music
Music
Sightseeing
Diving/
Snorkling
Snorkling
Shopping/
Souvenirs
Souvenirs
Climbing
Safari/
Zoo
Zoo
Hiking
Museum/
Opera
Opera
Sports
Riding
Yoga/
Meditation
Meditation
Requirements
In order to join the program you need to be at least 16 years old on the program start date.
You need to speak English (basic level)
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
No previous experience required but of course you have to be an animal lover. A typical Animal Care & Farm Maintenance volunteer has already worked in animal shelters, is a student in a veterinary school or a dog walker, etc. However, a person without any specific experience or training who just really loves animals and wants to help care for them is welcome as well. He or she needs to be enthusiastic, proactive, ready for a challenge!
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
What's Included
Financial Contribution & Benefits
Aldeas de Paz works hard to keep the required financial contribution to an absolute minimum and offers financial transparency by practicing an open book policy. We encourage longer stays, recognizing that longer stays lead to more productive volunteer work, whereby more energy and time is donated in place of money! We offer free Spanish language classes, a double room at one of our fully equipped guesthouse apartments, personal airport welcome, pick-up & transfer to the bus, bus fare and free transfer to your placement location in Las Terrenas or Samana. If you wish a single room upgrade add €50 per week and an all in Host Family homestay upgrade is €150 per week, including a private bedroom and two meals per day. This is included:
- Volunteer or Internship placement
- Personal airport welcome, pick-up & transfer to our location
- Fully equipped Accommodation, free WiFi & and laundry
- Placement introduction, supervision, certificate, student credit
- Free regular Spanish lessons throughout your placement
- Full support and 24/7 backup from local staff
- Information about adventure packages & in-country travel
Special Offer
Volunteers and interns receive free language lessons throughout their placement duration. Classes focus on developing four basic communication skills: listening, comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. Students are encouraged to speak Spanish right from the very first day, using it in typical real-life situations as soon as they step outside the classroom where learning continues as they are immersed in the Spanish language and the Dominican culture.
About your Placement Location
The Aldeas de Paz Foundation headquarters are located in the villages of Samana and las Terrenas, located at the heart of Samana province and peninsula in the north-eastern corner of the Dominican Republic. These villages with about 15000 inhabitants are very peaceful and safe and are constituted by a community with a strong sense of social responsibility. The people themselves consider their towns very safe, there is no more crime here than in any average small European town. The Dominican Republic's countryside as a whole is very peaceful, and certainly one of the safest regions in the Caribbean.
Travel Logistics
The Foundation will do everything to make sure our volunteers remain safe during their arrival and stay in the Dominican Republic. On arrival at the airport you will be welcomed by our english speaking driver who will help you personally during your transit from the airport to the bus terminal granting you peace of mind and tranquillity. The driver will purchase your bus ticket while you catch the direct and comfortable bus to Samana, your placement location. Travel-time on the bus is two hours only. On arrival at the placement location, fellow volunteers and our Staff will welcome you and bring you to your accommodation.
Our Volunteer Guesthouse Apartments
The Foundation’s popular volunteer guesthouse apartments are located in the center of the seaside towns of Samaná and las Terrenas, both scenic, laid back and peaceful towns, with friendly and easy-going Dominicans, living their life with tourism, agriculture and fishing activities, all set to the beat and rhythms of Merengue, Bachata and Salsa music. Our Volunteer Guesthouse Apartments are extremely conveniently located only a few minutes from school or the hospital, the village center and to the beaches and the Malecon, the gorgeous seaside walking promenade, where you will find a lot of restaurants, bars and shops. The villages and their surroundings are very safe and our apartments in Samana and Las Terrenas have lovely neighbors who constantly look after us. All important locations are only minutes away and it’s safe to walk at night. A shared room with two beds is the standard option. Upgrades are available for single room occupancy. Free wifi and use of a washing machine is, of course, standard at all Aldeas de Paz facilities. All our apartments are fully furnished and have WIFI and washing machines. Living together with volunteers from all over the world is a unique chance for cultural exchange and can be an exciting and new way of living compared to anything you’ve ever experienced before. It has certainly been a key experience in the lives of many past volunteers! Volunteers work and live together and learn how to be empathetic and considerate of others’ needs. They often share their free time, house cleaning tasks and cooking (optional). It means they also become close, develop lifelong friendships and have immense fun along the way! We feel that it is important to highlight that we have created an environment of respect and consideration.
Good access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
Food, snacks or beverages are at extra costs.
The nearest airport is Las Americas International Airport (SDQ) in Santo Domingo. We assist you to find cheap flights to Dominican Republic.
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Dominican Republic provides security and is a plus to have.
If you are intending to volunteer in Dominican Republic you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Dominican Republic.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Details on arrival
Availability
This program is ongoing throughout the whole year
Time Commitment
A minimum time commitment of 2 weeks is required and can be extended up to one year
Placement Location
Las Terrenas
About your Placement Location
The Aldeas de Paz Foundation headquarters are located in the villages of Samana and las Terrenas, located at the heart of Samana province and peninsula in the north-eastern corner of the Dominican Republic. These villages with about 15000 inhabitants are very peaceful and safe and are constituted by a community with a strong sense of social responsibility. The people themselves consider their towns very safe, there is no more crime here than in any average small European town. The Dominican Republic's countryside as a whole is very peaceful, and certainly one of the safest regions in the Caribbean.
Travel Logistics
The Foundation will do everything to make sure our volunteers remain safe during their arrival and stay in the Dominican Republic. On arrival at the airport you will be welcomed by our english speaking driver who will help you personally during your transit from the airport to the bus terminal granting you peace of mind and tranquillity. The driver will purchase your bus ticket while you catch the direct and comfortable bus to Samana, your placement location. Travel-time on the bus is two hours only. On arrival at the placement location, fellow volunteers and our Staff will welcome you and bring you to your accommodation.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
2 - 50 weeks
Program fees
2 weeks
(min. stay)
$1,427
3 weeks
$1,614
4 weeks
$1,802
5 weeks
$1,987
6 weeks
$2,174
7 weeks
$2,361
8 weeks
$2,547
9 weeks
$2,734
10 weeks
$2,921
11 weeks
$3,107
12 weeks
$3,294
13 weeks
$3,481
50 weeks
(max. stay)
$3,660
Average fees
$393
/week
The organization charges its fees in EUR. The price table in USD is subject to currency fluctuation.
Fundacion Aldeas de Paz
will let you know about the final price during your application process.
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.
Your final payment will be agreed with Fundacion Aldeas de Paz during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
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We refund your fees if Fundacion Aldeas de Paz cancels your trip
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Our services are free of charge!
All program fees are charged directly by Fundacion Aldeas de Paz.
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Animal Rescue and Farm Maintenance
Perfect for animal lovers and aspiring veterinarians, help rescue neglected animals and assist the veterinary service. There is always a lot to do and support is needed.
$323/week
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