from 700€

Outstanding 4.9rating (37)

Internship for Vet Students & Newly Graduated Vets

location
162€ per week  ·  4 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 23 - 50+

  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Highlights

  • Experience the everyday life in a castration project in Africa
  • Assist the miracle of recovery of rescued animals
  • Propel your career with international experience
  • Make memories you will never forget with you fellow participants
  • Visit our beautiful island in your free time

Especially suitable

Age 23+
Singles

About the program

Veterinary internships offer opportunities to deepen and enrich your veterinary education with hands-on experience.

Simabo was the first free veterinarian clinic in Sao Vicente, the second in Cabo Verde. We offer help to the local people who want their dogs and cats to be spayed/neutered, dewormed and treated.

Skills required

  • To be a student of veterinary medicine or be a recently graduated veterinarian doctor
  • To be ...

About the program

Simabo was the first free veterinarian clinic in Sao Vicente, the second in Cabo Verde. We offer help to the local people who want their dogs and cats to be spayed/neutered, dewormed and treated.

Skills required

  • To be a student of veterinary medicine or be a recently graduated veterinarian doctor
  • To be independent and responsible
  • To have organizational and time-management skills
  • To have the ability to relate to other people working on the project in view of the objective
  • To be patient
  • To have a strong work ethic, reliability, punctuality
  • A little sense of humor does not hurt
  • Ability to quickly assimilate and follow instructions
  • Ability to recognize problems and to communicate to the leaders
  • Ability to give your utmost attention to the task in hand
  • To be tolerant, diplomatic, and possess a cooperative spirit
  • To have a willingness to understand a different culture other than their own.
  • Speaking Portuguese is helpful (to communicate with the local people) but not essential.

What to expect?

  • A lot of work to do!
  • You will see a lot of ill and wounded animals, some of them will also die
  • Complete immersion in the local community...

Tasks

  • To help during castrations of dogs and cats at our clinic
  • To help during consultations of our animals in our dog and cat shelters
  • To help with the paperwork of the consulted and operated cats and dogs
  • To help with anything needed at the clinic (see page Clinic of our portal for volunteers)


Typical day

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 usually per shift.


The clinic is open to the public from 9AM to 1,30PM and then again ...

Typical day

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 usually per shift.


The clinic is open to the public from 9AM to 1,30PM and then again from 3PM to 6PM, but surgeries are held only during the morning. So your working time will depend on the tasks that are agreed:

  • If you help to operate, you should work in the morning. Please be aware that sometimes surgeries are numerous and need to be completed during the lunch time
  • If you don't operate, you will work during the time when the clinic is open, up to the limit of 6 hours a day.
  • You can also be asked to help during consultations in our dog shelter. In these cases you will work from 12:30 pm to 7 pm.

In our experience, students of veterinary medicine and recently graduated veterinary doctors are always very motivated and work long hours by their own choice. It is true that they really make a difference to the animals that arrive at the clinic and this is very rewarding.

NOTES:
Changes in shifts must be communicated with a week notice and be authorized-changes in shifts can't leave shifts uncovered  



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.
Hi

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 bicycle, an electrical bicycle or a scooter at local shops.

Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 23 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 23 years old on the program start date.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level)

Education Requirements

Veterinary medicine at Degree in veterinary medicine or student of veterinary medicine level

Nationality Restrictions

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

Other Skills

- strong work ethic - time management - team work

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 08:30 - 19:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Simabo

The fee includes accommodation and a daily "training fee" that allows full access to the clinic and to the operating room. You will be able to work full time with our local vet and with any experienced vet who is volunteering with us. We have 2 experienced vet on site most of the time, our local one, very experiences especially in spaying/neutering and a second from abroad who might be experienced in different areas. 
The fee includes pickup from the airport on arrival. Doesn't include food but includes access to the communal kitchens (either in the hostel or in the volunteers' house).

Airport Pickup at Cesaria Evora International Airport

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

Accommodation for volunteers is available in single rooms with shared bathroom in our volunteer house or in double or triple rooms with shared bathroom in the hostel. Both are located just a couple of meters away from our clinic, the beach, and the main square of Mindelo. Extra fee is charged for a single room in the hostel.
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. 

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Food & Beverages

Food, snacks or beverages are at extra costs.

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Cesaria Evora International Airport (VXE) in Sao Vicente. We assist you to find cheap flights to Cape Verde. 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 Cape Verde provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

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. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

We accept students and newly graduated veterinary doctors all year around according to availability. Usually we accept one student/recently graduated veterinary at a time. 

The best months to come are from April or mid-July and from the beginning of October to mid-December, because of the temperature and also because of the cost of the flights, that can be 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. 

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. 

No vaccinations are required nor recommended. Rabies doesn't exist in Cape Verde. 

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

Program fees

4 weeks (min. stay) 700€
5 weeks 800€
6 weeks 900€
7 weeks 1,050€
8 weeks 1,200€
9 weeks 1,350€
12 weeks (max. stay) 1,800€
Average fees 162€/week

Program fees

162€ per week 4 - 12 weeks Age 23 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

4 - 12 weeks

Deposit (15%)

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 (85%)

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.


Meet your host

Simabo

Outstanding 4.9 rating (37 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 2008

Verified by Volunteer World

  Very high response rate

Coordinated by

Silvia

Spoken languages: German, Italian, Portuguese, English

About the project

SIMABO protects, rescues, assists, and spays/neuters dogs and cats in Sao Vicente, Cape Verde

Meet your host


SI MA BO in Creole means “like you”. 

We are an association for the protection of animals and the environment based in Sao Vicente, Cape Verde, West Africa. Cape Verde has been a Portuguese colony until 1975 and has still a very "European vibe". No vaccinations are required or recommended.The local population is peaceful and more interested in parties and music than in politics or world finance. Mindelo is famous for its music and dancing nights and for being the birth place of Cesaria Evora, the most famous Capeverdean singer. 

SIMABO is a registered charity both in Cape Verde and in Italy. Article 3 of our Bylaws states out mission as following: "The purpose of the Association is to improve the living conditions of the population of the islands of Cape Verde.  In particular, by reducing the risk of transmission of parasitic diseases by cutting down the number of stray animals through spaying/neutering campaigns, also by involving the population in  activities of prophylactic antiparasitic care and by treating animals carrying diseases. The Association also aims at raising funds to be used for carrying out its activities in the Cape Verde islands."

Our work with animals - including running a shelter with 110 dogs, a cattery with 18 cats, a 7/12 clinic, and ambulant castration campaigns - is partially financed by the Simabo's Backpackers' Hostel, a hostel for responsible tourists, which in the meantime has become the most famous tourist facility on the island. 
We have treated and microchipped more than 12,000 animals so far and we are planning to expand the spaying/neutering campaigns to neighboring islands as well. 

SIMABO Cape Verde is managed by a board of 11 directors (1 Italian, 1 Brazilian, 1 Russian and 8 Cape-Verdeans) and employs 12 local workers: 1 veterinarian, 1 nurse, 1 receptionist, 1 driver, 4 dog carers, 3 cleaning staff, 1 night watch + 1 administrator from abroad (Portugal), and relies on the help of 2 full-time volunteers + an average of part-time 10 volunteers on the field and abroad.

The help we need varies depending on your skills. We expect someone who is a self-starter and can work independently with a very high degree of motivation. The focus must be to help the project, with the necessary amount of rest and freetime, to recover from the hard work and to visit the island of Sao Vicente and the neighboring island of Santo Antao, which can be done easily in the free time provided but the working schedule.

Volunteering with SIMABO offers the opportunity to make a great experience abroad in a protected environment, where volunteers can meet other volunteers or hostel guests from all over the world. The relationship with the animals can be extremely rewarding form the emotional point of view, being Capeverdean dogs very tame and social. Volunteers are completely immersed in the local environment, working with local staff and being required to shop and cook their own food. For volunteers that don't want to cook by themselves a wide choice of different options is available to eat at local restaurants and bars for a little price.  

Confirmed volunteers will receive a link to our portal with all the information required for their travel, their stay and the work with us in the different areas: Dog shelter, Cat shelter, Clinic, Hostel, Communication and Fundraising, Education, Maintenance. Feel free to choose the area the best suites you to make the difference for the animals on this beautiful island! 

37 reviews · rating4.9

Clara Gaede-MacLaren rating4.8

2023 at Animal saver

My month at Simabo was one of the most amazing months of my life! I recommend this fantastic experience to everyone. But: be aware of where you are going. Many volunteers I met here were not prepared for the sun, the cultural difference and the behaviour of the dogs. If you are scared of dogs ...
Mailys Robert rating5

2022 at Dog walker

Hi everybody I’m Mailys and I was a volunteer at Simabo. I volunteered as a dog walker in the shelter. I spent 3 weeks there but it feels like I’ve been there only 1 week. I had an incredible time at the shelter and I enjoyed every minute of it. It’s an “once in a lifetime experience” ...
I spend the October last year in Cape Verde and had a great time. I will split this review into 3 main parts: People - Work - Free time PEOPLE: Everyone was very welcoming and trying to make you feel comfortable. Of course there was a little language barrier sometimes if you just speak ...
Rachel Guilllarme rating4.8

2022 at Dog walker

Amazing experience at Simabô. The Simabô team makes you feel welcome, and the dogs at the kennel are so happy when volunteers come to take them for a walk or play with them in the yards. They are incredibly sweet and friendly and they have so much love to give. I wanted to adopt so many of them ! ...
Kilian Semmel rating4.8

2022 at Dog walker

Ich habe im September 2022 3 Wochen lang bei Simabo gearbeitet. Dabei habe ich im dazugehörigen Hostel gewohnt und im Dog Shelter entweder Vormittags oder Nachmittags geholfen. Im Dog Shelter konnte ich die einheimischen Mitarbeitenden dabei unterstützen die Hunde z. B. zu kämmen, zu bespielen, ...
Naomi T rating1.8

2021 at Hostel helper

Good cause for animals in the community. Management could be better in terms of planning and resources for the volunteer when they arrive. For example I made animal beds and repaired bedding/ curtains around the hostel but the sewing machine took days to arrive from another location, then it broke ...

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German, Italian, Portuguese, English

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