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Excellent 4.88rating (1322)

Peru Dog Rescue Volunteers

location
1 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
Verified
Volunteer project with the highest quality. This project sets unprecedented standards in quality - an unparalleled level of excellence.

Highlights

  • 70% of volunteers are 18-22 years old
  • Care for injured & abandoned street dogs & provide support for local staff
  • Support welfare awareness campaigns to educate the Cusco community

Highlights

  • 70% of volunteers are 18-22 years old
  • Care for injured & abandoned street dogs & provide support for local staff
  • Support welfare awareness campaigns to educate the Cusco community
  • Enjoy the local culture with salsa classes & Peruvian cuisine classes
  • Extraordinary travel opportunities to the sacred valley & Machu Picchu

  • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Groups

    About the program

    Get up close and personal while helping create a better life for Cusco's street dogs. If you love dogs this is a great way to give back and make an impact!

    As a Peru dog rescue volunteer, you will get up close and personal to these amazing animals. Create a better life for Cusco's street dog population. Not only this, Peru's volunteer programs provide a great foundation to improve your Spanish. If you love dogs, the Peru dog rescue volunteer project is ...

    About the program

    As a Peru dog rescue volunteer, you will get up close and personal to these amazing animals. Create a better life for Cusco's street dog population. Not only this, Peru's volunteer programs provide a great foundation to improve your Spanish. If you love dogs, the Peru dog rescue volunteer project is a great way to give back and make an impact!

    BACKGROUND TO THE DOG RESCUE PROGRAM

    As in many South American countries, Peru is home to many stray dogs. The sad reality is that many of these dogs are homeless and thus subject to illness, hunger and even abuse. The stray dog overpopulation is a growing problem in Peru.

    Free-roaming dogs (these are dogs with owners but left to their own devices) roam freely throughout the day. Furthermore, they mate with homeless strays and thus increase the number of strays on the streets of Peru.

    Cusco is the location of all our community projects in Peru. In addition, the city is one of the biggest hotspots of stray dogs across the whole of Peru. A tourist hotspot, authorities in Cusco typically have a pessimistic outlook toward stray dogs. More specifically, they see stray dogs as bringing illness and aggressiveness to the tourist population.

    A city like Cusco relies heavily on tourism to boost its economy. As a result, authorities traditionally adopted a more brutal approach to managing the strays dog population through culling mechanisms. In other words, they see stray dogs as a threat and a health hazard to the economic gains that tourism brings.

    Previously there had been no centralised government program in Peru to control the stray dog overpopulation. Consequently, the management process of controlling stray dog numbers was often left up to each local administration divisions.

    Naturally, many disagreed with the authorities tough approach line and protests were a regular occurrence in Cusco’s main square. November 2015 represented huge progress for animal welfare workers across Peru. Most importantly, the Peruvian Congress approved the Animal Protection and Welfare Law. This law classifies animals as sentient beings. Therefore, the law punishes those found guilty of animal cruelty with 3-5 years in prison.

    These days, dog lovers within the Cusco community take more humane approaches to save Peru’s street dogs. Examples of this include mobile clinics, educational outreach campaigns in local schools and setting up dog shelters. Peru is our only South American destination where you can embark on a wildlife volunteering abroad project.

    DOG RESCUE VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT EXAMPLE

    Cusco Dog Shelter - We have teamed up with a dog shelter in Cusco that takes care of rescued street dogs. The shelter is home to approximately 125 dogs that receive food and care daily. There are two staff members that work at the shelter full time. Subsequently, such staff members will be the local support for Peru dog rescue volunteers when at the project. Just like at your host family, good Spanish language skills are recommended to communicate fluently with the staff members.

    Our dog shelter project allows you as a volunteer in Peru to experience your love of animals. Working at the centre of the project as part of your international volunteering, your daily tasks will make a positive contribution. Moreover, the care and wellbeing these rescued dogs receive will greatly improve. Here is a selection of some of the main things you can expect to get involved in during the week:

    • Assisting the local staff with the care of the animals

    • Feeding the dogs

    • Playing and enrichment activities with select dogs

    • Cleaning the shelter

    • Helping with general maintenance

    • Local support campaigns within Cusco

    • Showing off your creative side to dynamically raise awareness about animal issues in Cusco

    Peru dog rescue projects typically receive little to no government funding or assistance. Therefore, volunteer support and contributions are a big help to the project that otherwise can receive limited help. In short, if you have a love for dogs, then this project is for you! We have availability from 1 week upwards on the project. Furthermore, you will volunteer typically across the morning periods Monday to Friday. Older clothing for the project is recommended as are shoes that you do not mind getting dirty!

    OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER VOLUNTEERING WITH DOGS IN PERU

    Return Airport Transfer - Your return airport transfer is not included in your Program Fee. The most common method is to use a ridesharing app or private taxi service. Participants can often be travelling across their final few days and therefore are not necessarily heading back to the airport directly from our accommodation. The costs depend on your method of transport and your final destination. This can often be split across multiple participants if you are travelling with someone else on the program.

    Spanish Requirements - For the dog rescue program in Peru, we recommend that you speak a reasonable level of Spanish prior to your trip. There are no specific language requirements in order to join the program and you can join as an absolute beginner. However, we find that the ability to speak a good level of the Spanish language and a passion to learn more will greatly enhance your overall experience. This is because English is generally not widely spoken and therefore our programs should be viewed as a broader language immersion experience. If you do not speak a reasonable level of Spanish then you will find it difficult to communicate. As a result, this could lead to a more frustrating experience.

    We also offer Online Spanish Lessons that you can take before your trip. The lessons provide you with the opportunity to receive one-on-one classes from a trained Spanish teacher. Classes are held via Zoom and can be worked around your schedule back in your home country.

    We also offer a learn Spanish in Peru program which you can take part in prior to your volunteer placement. This provides you with 20 hours-per-week of group Spanish lessons. Both of these options can be added during our online application process. They are highly recommended if you want to make the most of your volunteer placement.

    Once you are in-country then you are also able to organise additional Spanish lessons directly with our local team. Volunteer feedback suggests that it can often be tiring to complete Spanish lessons at the same time as your volunteer programs in Peru. Consequently, we generally recommend extending your Language Immersion Program.

    Experience - If you are a veterinary student you may be able to assist in more tasks. Naturally, this will depend on your level of knowledge, experience and qualifications in this area. You may be able to help with the sick, injured or disabled dogs. Furthermore, there may be more opportunities in advanced veterinary care such as vaccinations or neutering procedures.

    Project Donation - With each volunteer, there is a donation made directly to the volunteer project you join us in Peru. This donation fee is included in the Program Fee you pay before you depart for your trip.

    With that donation, the project is provided with increased financial support to improve resources, infrastructure and project environment. Such beneficiaries being the patients at the medical clinics, students at the schools, children at the kindergartens or the dogs at the dog shelter project.

    Weekends - Your project work in Peru runs from Monday-Friday and weekends are free. You are welcome to relax and hang out at the volunteer accommodation but most participants will use this time to travel and explore the country. As a result, you can check out our Peru Weekend Travel Guide for top tips on how to spend your weekend. We also run two separate weekend trips which you can sign-up to before you depart for Peru. We offer the Lake Titicaca & Islands Trip along with the Machu Picchu Trip with opportunities running every month.



    Typical day

    YOUR VOLUNTEER ROLE & TYPICAL WORK DAY

    When completing volunteer work in Peru at the dog shelter, you will be helping with the daily chores. As a Peru dog rescue volunteer, you will help with cleaning and feeding. Other activities include enrichment activities, maintaining hygiene and general upkeep ...

    Typical day

    YOUR VOLUNTEER ROLE & TYPICAL WORK DAY

    When completing volunteer work in Peru at the dog shelter, you will be helping with the daily chores. As a Peru dog rescue volunteer, you will help with cleaning and feeding. Other activities include enrichment activities, maintaining hygiene and general upkeep of the shelter. Participants also help support local campaigns on an ad-hoc basis when volunteering with animals. The volunteering hours are typically from 9am-12pm on a Monday-Friday basis.

    If you are up for it, take a 1 hour walk through the heart of Cusco to reach your dog shelter volunteer placement! Alternatively, you can take a 30 minute bus ride to reach your dog shelter project. The bus stop is located either just outside the volunteer accommodation or the Spanish school. Furthermore, the local team will assist you in learning the routes to your volunteer project. As a result, you will be acquainted with how to get to and from your volunteer project.


    Free-time activities

    Volunteer in Peru participants are based in Cusco, the Incan capital of world located in the Andes Mountains. The small city has so much history!  As you move through the narrow streets you can’t help but wander into the hidden markets, gaze upon the local artwork and chuckle at the llamas ...

    Free-time activities

    Volunteer in Peru participants are based in Cusco, the Incan capital of world located in the Andes Mountains. The small city has so much history!  As you move through the narrow streets you can’t help but wander into the hidden markets, gaze upon the local artwork and chuckle at the llamas dressed in traditional material.

    Peru is full of wonder with the Incan capital, Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Rainbow Mountain, the Amazon and the Nazca lines along with coast. Here you can find yourself in a prime spot to visit places like Rainbow Mountain, Machu Picchu, the Maras Salt Mines, Sacred Site of the Moray, Lake Titicaca and the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

    Our participants are situated in a great location to explore the local sites and also travel further afield.


    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 (intermediate level) or Spanish (intermediate level)

    Nationality Restrictions

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

    Other Skills

    You should be physically fit, as volunteering overseas can be quite strenuous. If you have any medical/mental health conditions that may affect your participation overseas then these must be declared to us during your online application. While the programmes only require you to speak a basic level of Spanish, we find that the ability to speak a good level of Spanish will greatly enhance your overall experience.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 09:00 - 14:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    • Accommodation 
    • Meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
    • Airport Pick Up
    • In-Country Orientation
    • 24 Hour Support

    Airport Pickup at Jorge Chavez International Airport

    You should arrive into Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (airport code CUZ) on the Sunday. The airport pickup is available 24 hours. 

    On arrival, your homestay parent(s) will be at the waiting area for you holding a sign with your name on it. They will drive you straight to your homestay accommodation and get you settled in! The drive is short and usually only around 15 minutes to your host family accommodation. Depending on your time of arrival there may be a meal waiting for you. 

    Accommodation

    Homestay

    During your time on the Peru volunteer programs, you will live in our homestay family accommodation. The accommodation is basic but comfortable and located in the city of Cusco. You’ll be living with local families who will guide you in Cusco. Furthermore, they will help to improve your knowledge of the Spanish Language! It is important to note that the homestay families will usually speak no English at all.

    The host families are located just outside of central Cusco. They are all within a 30 minute bus of your volunteer work in Peru. In addition, the volunteer homestays are usually within walking distance from the local team's offices. Each room has single beds, up to 3 people per room (same-sex rooms only). Volunteers are provided with bed linen and cupboard space to store clothes and accessories. All volunteers will have their own keys for the front of the building, apartment and their bedroom.

    Bathrooms are shared. Each bathroom has a shower and western style toilet. The water is usually warm (although can be a victim to power cuts) to ensure you keep warm in the chilly nights of Cusco! The house has Wi-Fi and a communal area for volunteers to hang out with their host families. There is also a kitchen with a refrigerator to store any items you need to keep chilled. However, please ask the host family for some fridge space out of respect in advance.

    The host families will prepare all meals across your time on the project with us (including a packed lunch if you wish). The homestay families normally have a separate area within the house for their family, yet they enjoy interacting with volunteers. Therefore they will be excited to hear about your days and experiences in Peru. Above all, the host family set-up ensures you have round the clock support and security. In addition, you will get the chance to improve your Spanish language skills.

    Your host family location is usually linked to your volunteer in Peru project location. For the reason that it allows for more practical logistics to get to and from the project. Therefore, should you have requirements to be in the same accommodation as another application then be sure to highlight this on your online application.

    Food & Beverages

    Volunteers will be provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner every day during their time with in Peru. Breakfast and dinner are served at the homestay, whereas for lunch we provide you with a packed lunch (upon request). With notice, the local team can even precook a meal for you and you can venture to the local team school headquarters and warm the meal up if you wish for your lunch.

    Boiled and filtered water is also available at the homestay(s) for volunteers.

    Most meals are traditional Peruvian dishes that can be carb heavy traditionally. Peruvian cuisine consists of a lot of rice or quinoa and the meat is mainly chicken. Most meals will incorporate lots of carbs and vegetables compared to the UK so please be open-minded around this! Due to the altitude, you will notice that your breakfast and dinner meals are quite small and lunch is very big. Going to sleep with a full stomach is hard on the body and at such an altitude it is difficult to digest large quantities of food. It may take you a few days for your body to accustom to this as well.

    The main meats are chicken, fish and alpaca. There are a number of western restaurants around a 10-minute drive from the accommodation should you fancy picking up some home comforts. There are also some Vegan and Indian restaurants in Cusco. Our local team will tell you all about the options available to you during your in-country orientation.

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site
    You don't have to pay anything yet

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM) in Lima. We assist you to find cheap flights to Peru. 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 Peru provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

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

    Details on arrival

    This program starts on the 1st & 3rd Sunday of every month

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

    Program fees

    1 week (min. stay) 460€
    2 weeks 638€
    3 weeks 802€
    4 weeks 966€
    6 weeks 1,308€
    8 weeks 1,637€
    10 weeks 1,965€
    12 weeks (max. stay) 2,294€
    Average fees 325€/week

    Program fees

    325€ per week 1 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    1 - 12 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 Plan My Gap Year during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

    You don't have to pay anything yet
    4.9
    Travelers’ Choice
    One of the most loved volunteer experiences, according to travelers
    2021
    I went to Peru last autumn and volunteered in the Wildlife Sanctuary. It was an amazing experience and I met loads of lovely people there. ..
    Lluïsa Fuguet Yandell

    Peru Dog Rescue Volunteers

    Location


    Meet your project coordinator

    Josh
    1322
    reviews
    4.88
    Excellent
    2011
    Founded

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Excellent response rate
    Spoken languages: English
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    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

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