Support a Cat Shelter

location
2 - 24 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Perfect 4.6  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Highlights

  • Get to know Chile, one of the most amazing and diverse countries in the world.
  • Boost your CV with international volunteer experience.
  • Grow as a person by stepping out of your comfort zone.

Highlights

  • Get to know Chile, one of the most amazing and diverse countries in the world.
  • Boost your CV with international volunteer experience.
  • Grow as a person by stepping out of your comfort zone.
  • Raise a voice for animals and get more passionate about helping animals that are forced to live on the streets.
  • Develop essential intercultural skills that will not only enrich your own life but also enable you to bridge cultures with grace and understanding.


  • Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Take care of kitties in a shelter for rescued cats in Santiago. Support this great cause and help rehabilitate our furry friends so that they can find a loving home.

    Unfortunately, in Chile and much of Latin America, animal life is not half as valuable as in developed countries. Despite the constant improvement of the situation in recent years, there is a huge lack of professional implementation in dealing with the many hundreds of thousands of animals that are ...

    About the program

    Unfortunately, in Chile and much of Latin America, animal life is not half as valuable as in developed countries. Despite the constant improvement of the situation in recent years, there is a huge lack of professional implementation in dealing with the many hundreds of thousands of animals that are abandoned to live on the street. Throughout Chile, the cityscapes are characterized by countless street dogs and cats.

    Fortunately, there are a few charities that take care of animals that have suffered extreme abuse, malnutrition, diseases or violence. One of these wonderful charities is our volunteer project. Founded in 2010, this NGO is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of stray cats in Santiago, giving cat lovers the opportunity to support the shelter with love and attention to pets in need. The shelter provides veterinarian care and a warm home to neglected and abused cats. In addition, the project regularly organizes adoption events for the nearly 200 cats in the shelter.

    Most cats that live in the cat house are rescued from the street, only a small number are brought in from households because of not species-appropriate husbandry. Some cats are pregnant and need a safe environment to give birth, care for, feed and educate their offspring. Others are sick, malnourished or seriously injured because of abuse or by years of stray on the street. Once sheltered, the cats get regularly food, water, vaccine, socialization program (with other cats and humans), vaccines and veterinary care. In addition, veterinary treatment including sterilization is provided. The charity depends on donations and is happy about every committed animal lover who wants to become a volunteer to give these cats a better life.



    Typical day

    You are important! The cat refuge would not exist without the help of volunteers. They are important to keeping the project alive and to care for the current cat population at the shelter (about 200!), feed, clean, play and to prepare adoption processes. Unfortunately, there are only a few ...

    Typical day

    You are important! The cat refuge would not exist without the help of volunteers. They are important to keeping the project alive and to care for the current cat population at the shelter (about 200!), feed, clean, play and to prepare adoption processes. Unfortunately, there are only a few initiatives in Chile that deal with street cats. If you love cats and want to help them, then this is your chance!

    Your help is needed in various areas, such as:

    • Feeding the cats
    • Cleaning blankets and cat beds
    • Cleaning and maintenance of cages and premises
    • Cleaning and refill feeding bowls
    • Cleaning litter boxes
    • Administrative tasks
    • Accompanying veterinary treatments (not possible for all volunteers)
    • Helping with adoption processing (not always possible)

    In this volunteer project, you have the opportunity to work up close with cats and to improve their living conditions. Your support makes all the difference and helps to rehabilitate the street cats, give them a new home and a make life outside the street possible for them. Your activities will change the behavior, the health and the life situation of the cats sustainably and at best enable them to find a loving home.

    You do not have to be a cat expert to participate in this volunteer program. Your motivation and a positive attitude are enough! These furry and cute strays depend on the support of us.


    Note: The tasks may vary. They depend on factors such as number of volunteers, weather, season, current needs of the project, as well as self-motivation. Not every volunteer may be fully involved in all these tasks.


    Free-time activities

    Chile is a country that unites many different climates and landscapes. Due to its remarkable length of 4,300 kilometers you can discover extremes such as deserts, salt lakes, volcanoes, temperate rainforest, mountains over 6,000 meters high and eternal ice fjords. With its indescribably ...

    Free-time activities

    Chile is a country that unites many different climates and landscapes. Due to its remarkable length of 4,300 kilometers you can discover extremes such as deserts, salt lakes, volcanoes, temperate rainforest, mountains over 6,000 meters high and eternal ice fjords. With its indescribably large variety of landscape, vegetation and climate, Chile is a popular destination all year round.

    The capital of Santiago de Chile never sleeps and in recent decades has developed into a very popular and modern metropolis. There are activities that your heart desires! There is something for everyne; for art lovers, nature fans, culture enthusiasts and party people. Santiago’s location is just perfect since within about an hour can either be in the mountains or at the beach. You can find outdoor adventure sports, like hiking, rafting, climbing, horseback riding, and so on, or just relax at the beach during the weekend.

    In Santiago you can:
    - Hiking/walking in the hills and parks
    - Sightseeing
    - Visiting museums and art galleries
    - Exploring beautiful neigborhoods
    - Strolling through local markets
    - Shopping
    - Enjoying restaurants and bars / nightlife
    - Meeting up with other volunteers
    - Doing sports
    - Going on day excursions to the amazing surroundings


    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    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.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak Spanish (basic level)

    Education Requirements

    at High School level

    Required Documents

    CV and Volunteer Questionnaire

    Nationality Restrictions

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

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by South America Inside

    • Single room in a local homestay (breakfast & dinner can be added at US$ 75 / week)
    • Internet access at your homestay
    • Airport pick-up
    • Advice from our experienced staff
    • On-going support via WhatsApp, phone or mail
    • Elaboration of your application profile in Spanish
    • Your placement in the volunteer project
    • Pre-departure information
    • Packing list
    • Country handbook
    • Intercultural guide
    • On-site volunteer coordinator
    • 24/7 emergency number
    • Advice on travel insurance
    • Certificate of participation

                              Note: A donation of CLP 25.000 (US$ about) has to be paid on-site to the project.

                            Airport Pickup at Arturo Merino Benitez Airport

                            You will be picked up at the airport of Santiago de Chile. Our transfer service will bring you to your homestay.

                            Accommodation

                            An important part of our volunteer programs has always been to provide an intense glimpse into the culture of the host country. Therefore, our volunteers live in homestays. Living with a local hosts will allow you to experience the country in the most authentic way possible. You can immerse into local customs, taste typical meals, and experience the culture and traditions first-hand. You will quickly realize how much your Spanish skills improve each day. Our homestays are carefully screened and selected, and many hosts have years of experience with our international volunteers.

                            You will be provided with a single room, while the bathroom can be private or shared. 

                            Upon request you can add daily breakfast & dinner at an extra cost of US$ 75 / week.



                            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 Arturo Merino Benitez Airport (SCL) in Santiago. We assist you to find cheap flights to Chile. 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 Chile provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

                            Vaccines

                            If you are intending to volunteer in Chile you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Chile. VACCINE CHECKER

                            Details on arrival

                            The volunteer work can be joined throughout the year. The start and end date can be set flexible, according to your availability and travel plans. Ask our experienced staff to coordinate your participation in this meaningful volunteer project.

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

                            Program fees

                            2 weeks (min. stay) 653€
                            3 weeks 823€
                            4 weeks 993€
                            5 weeks 1,162€
                            6 weeks 1,332€
                            7 weeks 1,501€
                            8 weeks 1,671€
                            9 weeks 1,840€
                            10 weeks 2,010€
                            11 weeks 2,180€
                            12 weeks 2,349€
                            24 weeks (max. stay) 4,384€
                            Average fees 254€/week

                            Program fees

                            254€ per week 2 - 24 weeks Age 18 - 50+

                            Payment methods

                            Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

                            NO CREDIT CARD FEES


                            Duration

                            2 - 24 weeks

                            Deposit

                            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

                            Your final payment will be agreed with South America Inside during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


                            Meet your organization

                            South America Inside

                            Perfect 4.6 rating (128 reviews)

                            Agency - founded in 2003

                            Verified by Volunteer World

                              Very high response rate

                            Coordinated by

                            Marion

                            Spoken languages: English, German, Spanish

                            About the project

                            South America Inside promotes intercultural, linguistic and educational exchanges. Its volunteer programs are addressed to students, professionals and retirees.

                            Meet your organization

                            South America Inside is an intercultural management agency, founded back in 2003, which specializes in the promotion of programs abroad, language travel and educational programs throughout Latin America.

                            Since 2007, to enrich the experience of our global-minded clients and to provide them with even more possibilities, South America Inside has been expanding their program offerings throughout South and Central America.

                            Working together with some of the best language schools in Latin America, South America Inside provides high quality language courses in almost every Latin American country.

                            Thanks to a professional team of motivated and friendly staff, South America Inside has been very successful over the past several years and have been able to establish an outstanding network of what we call "Insider Contacts." To enrich the experience of their clients and to provide them with more possibilities, South America Inside has been expanding our program offerings throughout Central and South America, in addition to our well-established Chilean programs.

                            Volunteer Work

                            Do you dream of staying abroad while doing something positive? Are you looking for a unique experience that will leave a mark on your life? Then a Volunteer Work program in South America or Central America is perfect for you!

                            With South America Inside you can combine an adventure abroad with social commitment, and create lasting memories in Latin America. Support the protection of endangered species; help a local community construct new homes; give new hope to impoverished children.

                            The possibilities to lend a hand are diverse, as there are the many places where help is needed. We have classified our volunteer projects in different areas so you can easily find the one (or more!) projects that best match your needs and interests.

                            Why with us

                            There are many persuasive reasons that speak in favor of South America Inside when it comes to selecting your perfect provider of language, study and volunteer travel abroad. Following, we have prepared a short summary so that you can get us to know a little better.

                            Our Insider benefits at a glance:

                              Regional Experience
                            Over one decade (established in 2003) of dedication to language, work and study travel programs in Latin America. Thanks to our long standing work and life experience in the South American continent, we know this region really well. Therefore, we can help and inform you in a professional and competent way.

                              Multifaceted Offers
                            Over time we have developed new programs to offer a wide array of work abroad opportunities to our clients. We have been pioneers in launching new exchange programs, as we have been the first in offering Work & Travel/Working Holiday and Farm Stays in Chile and successfully introduced these programs into the market back in 2005. Since 2012, we are the only agency to offer this type of program in Costa Rica.

                              Insider Advice
                            Despite living in the modern era of the internet, we know that reliable and competent advice is still an important criterion for most of us. At South America Inside, you will find the benefits of an internet provider and an independent travel agency. We will be glad to pass on our extensive knowledge and regional experience.!

                              Location
                            It is difficult to run programs when there is nobody “on the ground” to evaluate existing options and search for new opportunities. So, we are located in Chile, on location, and we know everything that is going on first hand. We know what it is like to live as a foreigner in South America and will be happy to assist you in making your stay unforgettable!

                              Independence
                            South America Inside is an independent provider of language courses, internships, volunteer work, Farm Stays and Work & Travel programs in Latin America. We neither depend financially nor structurally on any other company, language school, association or organization. Therefore, we are able to give personalized information in accordance to your needs and availability.

                            •  Multilingual Team

                            Our team is multilingual and international! We speak fluent English, Spanish and German, as well as some French and Portuguese. With our customers, we can communicate in their native language and we avoid misunderstandings with local partners by communicating in Spanish with them. You can be sure that there will be an English-speaking contact person for you before, during, and after your stay.

                              Customer Service
                            Excellent customer service is one of the most important goals for South America Inside, and this is evident with the positive feedback we regularly receive from our many happy clients. Emails are answered within 48 business hours and every client is treated with the same friendliness and expertise.

                              Gapless and Accurate Information flow
                            With South America Inside you will have one and the same contact person before, during and after your trip. With that said, we guarantee a gapless and accurate information flow and you will always be very well informed.

                              Approved Program Places
                            Many of our program places, especially in the area of internships and volunteer work, are designed in the way that they will be recognized by most universities, colleges or academies.

                            128 reviews · rating4.6

                            Christine rating4.6

                            2017 at Support a Cat Shelter

                            Since I wanted to make something sensible in my life, I took a two-month break from my work in March / April 2017 to make volunteer work in South America. As a big catfan, I selected an animal protection project and was informed about a project for the protection of street cats in Santiago de Chile ...
                            Regina N. rating5

                            2024 at Help Stray Dogs

                            Die Arbeit gefällt mir sehr gut! Ich bin super reingekommen und fühle mich sehr wohl 🙂 Die Menschen sind sehr offen und freundlich! Herzlichen Dank! ...
                            Nathalie K. rating5

                            2024 at Local Wildlife Helper

                            Everything is alright. The family host in San José is very kind. I visited San José yesterday. This morning I arrived at the rescue center and it's amazing! It beautifull, the animals are so cute. And the volonteers are very friendly. Thanks for everything and have a good ...
                            Alex S. rating5

                            2024 at Help Stray Dogs

                            Mir geht’s prima. War ein langer Tag, bin daher auch gut kaputt 🙂 Sowohl Spanischkurs als auch die Arbeit im Tierheim machen sehr viel Spaß! Ich muss zwar all das bisschen, was ich an Spanisch kann, zusammenkratzen, um durch den Tag zu kommen, aber das wird sicherlich besser mit der Zeit ...
                            Stacey Garratt rating5

                            2024 at Local Women Empowerment Supporter

                            I have been travelling for 7 months in total and just had the most wonderful experience in Ecuador. I can confidently say in the last 6 weeks I have created my favourite memories of this journey in an all-encompassing way. Firstly, the program itself was incredible, I constantly felt supported, ...
                            Mattia Malfanti rating5

                            2024 at Countryside School Assistant

                            Very good location and people. Really good organization and people are really hospitable. Peumal is a really good alternative school. I sincerely advice if you want help in an alternative school to go ...

                            Location

                            Americas > South America > Chile > Santiago de Chile

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                            English, German, Spanish

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