View ProjectsIn the Dominican Republic there are plenty of animals in need of care and a home. Many dogs are homeless and sick, and you often find neglected and malnourished horses and cats. It is rare that anyone cares about these animals or gives them the affection and nurturing that they need. For many years, a farm close to the city of Samaná has been helping animals in need by providing a home, food and arranging medical treatments. Dogs, horses, mules, cows and many other animals live on the ranch in the middle of the beautiful nature that surrounds Samaná. There is always a lot to do and support is much needed to be able to continue providing care to the animals and finding new homes, especially for the almost 50 dogs living on the farm. You can become a part of this project by taking care of the animals, training them and maintaining the property. 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.
All year
Activities can include but are not limited to;
- Caring for dogs, horses and mules
- Maintaining meadow, stables and kennels
- Maintaining the farm by helping with painting, building fences, planting king grass, fixing doors, among other tasks
- Supporting veterinarians during medical treatments or operations to neuter or spay animals
- Developing and executing awareness rising and education activities for children or the general population in order to improve the situation of neglected animals in the long run
There are unlimited activities and sights to visit in your spare time. Visit the north coast for some of the best windsurfing or kiteboarding found in the world, go whale watching, try fun hiking, biking or even white-water rafting for those adrenaline seekers! You may also like to visit Caribbean’s highest peak, Pico Duarte, or the Playa Rincon, said to be one of the best beaches in the world. Hunt around the quaint town of Monte Cristo for some great finds including bargain priced jewellery made from handcrafted beads, and try some of the local rum in one of the colourful bars!
Upon arrival at Santo Domingo “Las Americas” airport or “El Catey” airport (Samana) you will be met by an in-country welcome & pick-up service and transferred to the bus terminal from where you leave with the bus to Samaná or Las Terrenas. On arrival, Aldeas de Paz staff will pick you up and bring you to the accommodation where you will be based for the duration of your project. The welcome & pickup service is courtesy and included in your placement donation.
English, Basic Spanish
Passport
Overall there are no previous experiences required to participate in the program, but of course you have to be an animal lover. A typical Animal Care & Farm Maintenance volunteer and intern has already worked in animal shelters, is a student in a veterinary school or a dog walker, etc. However, a person that does not necessarily have any experience or training, but 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 (for example cleaning kennels and stables). Friendliness, commitment and patience are among significant qualities. Basic conversational Spanish skills are required, and the more advanced your level of experience and Spanish language skills are, the more opportunities will be available to you. Even with little Spanish there is lots of work to do. In order to enable deeper integration into the community, we provide free Spanish classes regularly on a weekly basis throughout your placement, full support, and 24/7 back up.
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 calculation of your financial contribution or donation is set up so that the longer you stay the less you give per week. We do this to encourage longer stays, recognising that longer stays lead to more significant volunteer work and more energy contributed in the form of donated time in place of money! The minimum contribution starts at €140 per week and includes Spanish language classes, double room at one of 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 in Las Terrenas or Samana. If you wish a single room upgrade add €40 per week and an all in Host Family homestay upgrade is €145 per week, including a private bedroom and two meals per day.
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