Volunteer for San Rafael Animal Shelter in Costa Rica

  Costa Rica

• North Western Region: 
San Isidro de Heredia

Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: Ongoing

Description: The Asociacion Humanitaria Para la Proteccion Animal de Costa Rica (AHPPA) is an association committed to the protection of animals in Costa Rica. AHPPA operates an animal shelter in San Rafael de Heredia which includes covered pens for dogs, housing facilities for cats and kittens, and an onsite veterinary clinic. AHPPA cares for injured and abandoned animals, provides low and no cost veterinary care and sterilization, and provide education on animal care and the importance This placement needs volunteers to help control the huge numbers of unwanted and abandoned cats and dogs in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica's former solution to animal overpopulation was to poison the animals in overcrowded areas. AHPPA's sterilization program has put a stop to this terrible practice. Through low and no cost sterilization programs and education about the importance of sterilization, AHPPA hopes to decrease the numbers of abandoned animals but they need help in order to accomplish this goal.

Highlights: Volunteers who are studying veterinary medicine will be able to assists the vets in caring for sick animals and performing sterilizations. However all volunteers are more than welcome to help out regardless of their education or experience.

Some tasks include:
1. Walking the dogs
2. Grooming the animals
3. Cleaning the pens
4. Feeding the animals
5. Basic cleaning of the facilities

How many days per week will you be working? The shelter is open 7 days a week, volunteers can arrange their schedule. Volunteers with a background in veterinary medicine will be very helpful, but volunteers of all educational backgrounds are welcome. Volunteers must be eager to help, compassionate, and love animals.

Qualifications: Must be of age 18 or above with minimum education of high school. Volunteers with the following special skills are preferred for the placement:

Nurse
Pre-Med Student
Standard First-Aid
Biology
Veterinary Science

Basecamp International Centers welcomes all the interested volunteers from around the world to volunteer and make a difference.

Cost in US$: 2,995.00 CAD

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: We believe everyone can contribute by volunteering. Recent graduates from high school, college or university, professionals taking a career break, recent retirees, individuals or groups who are interested in a change and the chance to enrich their own life and the lives of others. If you are 18 years or older you can apply for any of the placements available. If you are from 16-18 years old you may apply for placements near our Volunteer Abroad Office and Residence, so that we are able to give you more support. Both students and professionals are needed for placements in all our countries.

Age Range: 18 or above 18

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of 3 to 5

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone Interview
• Resume
• Written Application

Basecamp International Centers's Mission Statement: We believe international volunteering promotes cross-cultural learning that helps create global awareness, understanding between cultures and provides the platform for positive change. Our volunteers have taught in schools, provided disaster relief support for the International Red Cross, conducted essential research to improve the management strategies of threatened environments, built homes for impoverished people, provided vocational training and programs for street kids and have worked in co-operation with hundreds of local organizations to distribute aid and improve the quality of life for people throughout Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Year Founded: 1998