Dog walker
Coordinator | Silvia
Coordinator | Silvia
Book with Flex Option!
Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
Highlights
Experience the love of our puppies at the shelter
Work with the local staff, who doesn't speak a lot of English but is used to work with volunteers
Build a strong relationship with our beautiful four-legged guests
Enjoy the rides to the shelter in our pick up
Make some good physical exercise in the sun and enjoy the nearby beach
Most basic tasks (cleaning, feeding) are performed by local paid staff - we have 16 local employees. But, we always need help with delicate tasks such as cuddling.
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+
Information given in the Time Commitment session of this program are only orientative and they are not binding: the free day can be on any day of the week (may be on the weekend, maybe not) and the working time is per shift: one morning shift from 7,30 to 12,30 OR one afternoon shift from 13,30 to 18,30.
Most basic tasks at the shelter (cleaning, feeding, walking) are performed by local paid staff - we have 14 local employees, 5 of which work at the shelter. But, we always need help with delicate tasks such as playing with the dogs, brushing the cats, changing the beds, and taking care of ill animals or of puppies. Notably, volunteers will (1) work in the place of paid staff when they are missing work and (2) supervise the work of local employees to ensure the highest possible welfare of the animals in our shelters. Clear instructions will be provided for accomplishing single tasks and volunteers are required to perform them accurately also for safety reasons. Volunteers are required to follow the instructions published on our portal for volunteers, and to ask for advice in case they collide with instructions received from the paid staff at the shelter.
Our program is important because it shows to the local population how to take care of animals, who are "like us". It is scientifically proven that violence on animals or neglect are directly connected with the same attitude to people, especially children. This is why our logo includes a dog, a cat and a child. Children abandonment is very common in Cape Verde, we try to give a good example by taking care properly and making people aware of the importance of having a family for animals in order to develop the same attitude towards children.
Taking care properly of a pet means also to keep him/her clean and dewormed, and taking dogs out to wee and poo, do that they don't do it in the house, as it is very common now in Cape Verde. All this is of course very important to assure a good level of hygiene and health for the local population. That's why SIMABO is a partner of the Ministry of Health in the fight against improper care of pets.
Typical day
Work is per shifts, 6 days per week, starting from the day after arrival (i.e. if you arrive on a Monday you will start working on Tuesday and you will have free following Monday. Of course you can change your shifts with other volunteers, if you agree on a new schedule): morning from 7:30 to 12:30 or afternoon from 13:00 to 18:00. Transport to/from the shelter is provided for free when needed by the paid staff. Work at the shelter includes walking the dogs with the help of a walking list, taking some of them to the beach nearby (one group in the morning and one group in the afternoon), and cuddling them in the big internal halls or the outside compounds when it is too hot to walk them, or when all of them have been walked already.
Most volunteers love the ride to the shelter and back on our open truck, with the local staff, and sometimes a couple of dogs that have to go to the shelter or to the clinic.
Volunteers who work in the morning have to have breakfast at 6,30 before going, or must take with them something to eat during the morning because they will be very hungry after a couple of hour walking energetic dogs in the marine fresh air! Lunch is after coming back at 13. Most volunteers like to have something ready from the previous day so that they can eat as soon as they arrive home, and then they have still time to rest and go for some free time activity on the beach or in town or visit another village on the island. public buses go back and forth from town to the 4 villages on the coast during the whole day, with the last ones coming back from the villages at about 5 PM. Sometimes volunteers can organize shifts in the kitchen and prepare food for themselves at 12,30 and other volunteers that come from the shelter at 13.
Volunteers working in the afternoon must be ready to go at 13, so they have free in the morning.
For people that don't like to cook or don't want to spend their time cooking, meals can be bought for little money in a lot of local small restaurants. You can be dropped off at the market place when you come back from the shelter at 1PM and have lunch there, before going straight to the beach for a nap. Everything is so close and easy to reach that there is almost no need to "organize" free time.
Free time activities can vary according with the time of the year: in winter it is not so hot, so you can go round during the whole day. In Summer it will be difficult to do anything else than rest or being at the beach from 12 to 17.
Shifts are allocated according to the needs at the shelter and to the desires of the volunteers. Some people like better to work in the morning because it is cooler, but of course night life suffers from this schedule. Other people prefer to go to bed later, rest in the morning and work in the afternoon. In general volunteers are working one per shift or more only if available.
NOTES:
- Information given in the Time Commitment session of this program are only orientative and they are not binding: the free day can be on any day of the week (may be on the weekend, maybe not) and the working time is per shift: one morning shift from 7,30 to 12,30 OR one afternoon shift from 13,30 to 18,30.
- changes in shifts must be communicated with a week notice and be authorized
- changes in shifts can't leave shifts uncovered
- we'll make our best to give you the morning shift on the last working day of one week and the afternoon shift of the first working day of the following week, so that you have 2 days and 2 nights off and you can visit another island if you like.
Free-time activities
The island is famous for its music and its partying vibe! So night activity is guaranteed!
On the island you can find a diving center (in town), a windsurfing school and a kitesurfing school.
Capoeira is also widely practiced and can be learned with 2 groups in lessons held in the late afternoon.
Hiking paths are very simple to follow. Every volunteer who likes hiking can't miss visiting the neighboring island, Santo Antao, with its beautiful mountains and trekking paths.
If you are not so keen on hiking, you can rent a bicycles, electrical bicycles and scooters at local shops.
Water Sports
Swimming
Concert/
Music
Music
Sightseeing
Diving/
Snorkling
Snorkling
Hiking
Sports
Requirements
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.
You need to speak English (basic level)
passport
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
- Willingness to accept that a seemingly minimal oversight can become a problem and could result in loss of time and money (and even lives!), and should therefore be avoided by working with due concentration
- Carrying out duties over a prolonged period, even if they become repetitive and/or boring;
- Ability to perform the tasks assigned without repeatedly needing instruction;
- Ability to enjoy their free time alone since other volunteers typically have their free time at OTHER times/days
- Carrying out duties over a prolonged period, even if they become repetitive and/or boring;
- Ability to perform the tasks assigned without repeatedly needing instruction;
- Ability to enjoy their free time alone since other volunteers typically have their free time at OTHER times/days
Your helping hand will be required on
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
from
07:30
- 12:30
What's Included
The weekly fee covers
- pick up from the airport at the arrival
- accommodation in a single or double room if travelling alone or in a bigger room if travelling in group (shared bathroom).
- advice to organize visits to other islands, especially Santo Antao, with hotel and ferry/flights reservations
- one tour of the island of Sao Vicente with our staff, usually with a deworming or spaying/neutering campaign
- Food is not provided, but volunteers can use a communal kitchen.
Our driver will wait for you in the airport arrival hall with a SIMABO sign with your name! Driving time to town is about 10 min.
Be prepared to stay in a row for paying the "airport fee" that costs 32 euros. You can avoid this applying via Internet and paying in advance by credit card. All info to accomplish this will be provided in due time. EU citizens are not required to have/pay a visa, only non-EU citizens will have to buy one at the airport for 25 euros.
Vaccinations are not required nor recommended. There is no rabies in Cape Verde.
Accommodation for volunteers is available in single or double rooms with shared bathroom in our volunteer house, located just a couple of meters away from our clinic and hostel, the beach, and the main square of Mindelo.
Volunteers can prepare their own food in the hostel kitchen, where paying guests are hosted to raise funds for the project.
At the hostel volunteers can meet any kind of travellers and together they can plan trips, excursions, parties, dinners, anything that makes fun and makes your volunteering time unforgettable.
Dorm Room
Bedroom (Single)
Bedroom (Double)
Volunteers can prepare their own food in the hostel kitchen, where paying guests are hosted to raise funds for the project.
At the hostel volunteers can meet any kind of travellers and together they can plan trips, excursions, parties, dinners, anything that makes fun and makes your volunteering time unforgettable.
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 Cesaria Evora International Airport (VXE) in Sao Vicente. We assist you to find cheap flights to Cape Verde.
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Cape Verde provides security and is a plus to have.
If you are intending to volunteer in Cape Verde you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Cape Verde.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Details on arrival
Volunteers are accepted throughout the year depending on availability.
Usually the best months to come are from april o mid-July and form the beginning of October to mid-December, because of the temperature and also because of the cost of the flights, that can be a expensive in the high season (Christmas, August).
Carnaval is a highlight of Mindelo's life, volunteers are always welcome at that time of the year.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
2 - 4 weeks
Program fees
2 weeks
(min. stay)
$240
3 weeks
$420
4 weeks
(max. stay)
$540
Average fees
$128
/week
The organization charges its fees in EUR. The price table in USD is subject to currency fluctuation.
Simabo
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 Simabo during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
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What are people saying about Volunteer World?
Dog walker
Most basic tasks (cleaning, feeding) are performed by local paid staff - we have 16 local employees. But, we always need help with delicate tasks such as cuddling.
$106/week
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