Animal Rescue Society Near Cape Town, South Africa

  South Africa

• Cape Town: 
Cape Town (Kaapstad)

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: multiple start dates year round

Description: Have you got a soft spot for animals?
If the answer is yes then South Africa is the country for you and TEARS is the project! When an economy struggles the first charities to feel the pinch are those working with animals, so your efforts are much needed. This is a great society which provides food parcels, veterinary treatment and animal care education for those that could not otherwise afford it. It also works with children who have had extremely hard lives and aims to break the cycle of abuse by teaching them to care and be responsible for animals. You'll get a great opportunity to visit local communities and visit animals there, while for those considering a future in veterinary care there is valuable chance to help the resident vet, who requires daily help.

*What does the society do?
TEARS is a non-profit, pro-life animal rescue society. Since the centre started in 1999, it has re-homed over 4500 animals. TEARS works directly with local communities and informal settlements in not only rescuing animals but providing food parcels, veterinary treatment and animal care education for those that could not otherwise afford it.

TEARS is in the business of "hand-on, grass-roots" social improvement. They try to teach children, by example, an ethic of compassion for animals. To do this to people who are struggling to survive themselves, is a tough job. Studies have shown that where traumatised and sometimes brutalised children, teenagers and adults are taught to care for something more helpless than them, the cycle of abuse can be broken, and this is an area where TEARS is trying to have input.

TEARS also is assisted by the work of the international fund for animal welfare (IFAW) by providing a base of operations for the IFAW representative, Nicholas, and his operations to provide regular, front-line primary animal healthcare within the local communities.

TEARS has recently constructed their own in-house veterinary surgery to house TEARS own Veterinarian and a veterinary nurse. The Helping Hand Foundation provided financial assistance to equip the surgery enabling TEARS to both reduce their own expenses and provide a much needed veterinarian service to the local communities.

*Why does the project need volunteers?
The suffering of animals in poorer communities in South Africa has reached horrific proportions and societies like TEARS have had to be formed as the SPCA, Animal Welfare, etc, are simply overwhelmed and cannot cope. In an economically stressed society, the first charities to fall by the wayside tend to be animal charities. Animals require daily attention and care and without volunteer rescue centres like TEARS, this could not happen.

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Highlights:
* The amazing range of things to do - from surfing to hiking, partying to shopping - Cape Town has something for everyone!
* Working with the rescued animals - we guarantee you'll want to take one home
* Living in South Africa - an inspirational country with inspirational people

Qualifications: No Qualifications are necessary, but it is a good project for those on/considering taking a veterinary course. Above all a love for animals and patience with children is required.

Your role as a volunteer:

Your work here will take on many roles; from feeding and caring for the many animals to working closely with staff as they go out into the local informal settlements to collect, return and vaccinate animals on site. There is also the opportunity to work along side the resident vet, who requires daily assistance. Be warned, this is not for the faint hearted. On quieter days you can get involved with a programme called 'Open Paw' which is a training programme to help the dogs understand basic commands helping with the adoption process.

You will also help with daily tasks such as feeding, cleaning and exercising the animals. You can show visitors around the centre and may be asked to assist with home visits and are expected to assist with regular cleaning duties and general maintenance around the centre. You will be able to visit the local informal settlements alongside Nicholas in the TEARS/IFAW mobile clinic, providing a chance to assist with basic, primary care treatments such as vaccinations and flea and tick treatments. You will also get the opportunity to observe and assist veterinary operations within TEARS new in-house surgery and any volunteers with veterinary experience would be much appreciated.

What you'll be getting up to:

The focus of your work at TEARS will be twofold. Firstly, there is the work at the kennels. On a daily basis you will be involved in feeding, bathing, playing with and walking the dogs (the animals at the kennel are those that have been abandoned TEARS works to try and re-home the animals). The dogs require stimulation, which they receive through a range of specialist activities administered by staff members and volunteers. You will also have an opportunity to assist in the cattery where chores will include feeding, grooming and playing with cats and kittens. TEARS also houses semi-feral cats, who need constant interaction with humans. Once volunteers are familiar with the hands-on work at the kennels, they will be able to assist in the adoption (re-homing) process. TEARS also has an active fundraising programme to support its companion animal care work. You will have the opportunity to assist with a range of fundraising activities. TEARS other very important focus is work in the communities. Twice weekly, TEARS works in the impoverished communities and volunteers will have the opportunity to assist with activities such as food distribution, dipping, de-worming, etc. On occasion volunteers might be involved in emergency rescues where animals have been badly abused. The majority of the work you will be doing is hands-on, however, you can also assist with a range of administrative tasks.

Cost in US$: USD 1,295.00 for 2 weeks, USD 220.00 for every week thereafter

When you go on an i-to-i Venture we want you to have the best possible time abroad, so we include these important services.

Before you depart we offer:
- detailed information on your project and country
- fundraising advice and support
- visa instructions
- vaccination recommendations
- advice on health, safety & culture shock
- contact details to pass along to your family

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: If you are interested in immersing yourself in another culture while giving your time to a worthy cause, then you are a typical i-to-i volunteer. We invite you to join the i-to-i community of dedicated volunteers aged 18-80 who are working on community development, building, teaching, and conservation projects across the globe. Together, we make a lasting impact that changes lives and helps preserve the planet through hundreds of worthwhile projects around the world.

Age Range: 17-80

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to South Africa Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

i-to-i Meaningful Travel's Mission Statement: i-to-i is an award-winning organization providing unique opportunities for you to travel, work and live abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 18 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations and over 50,000 have learned to Teach English as a Foreign Language through our tailor-made TEFL courses. With over 400 projects on 4 continents, you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching, community development, sports coaching, conservation, building or internships in tourism, marketing, journalism, or health.

Year Founded: 1994