Support Animal and Wildlife Rescue Centers

location
1 - 50 weeks  ·  Age 17 - 50+

rating  Brilliant 4.7  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Volunteer project with the highest quality. This project sets unprecedented standards in quality - an unparalleled level of excellence.

Highlights

  • Help saving abandoned pets and rehabilitating them.
  • Work in an animal shelter or small zoo.
  • Gain Spanish practice by living with a host family and sharing daily life with locals.

Highlights

  • Help saving abandoned pets and rehabilitating them.
  • Work in an animal shelter or small zoo.
  • Gain Spanish practice by living with a host family and sharing daily life with locals.
  • Make memories you'll never forget during your time abroad.
  • Learn more about the Latin American ways, customs and habits.


  • Especially good for

    Age 17+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Be a hero for homeless pups! Join our dog rescue, saving abandoned animals and giving them second chances. 🇨🇷

    Culturally speaking in Latin America, dogs and cats are not looked upon as integral members of the family the way they are in many other countries. This often leads to neglect and abandonment. The projects we work with protect these animals and provide human company, medical treatment, and playtime ...

    About the program

    Culturally speaking in Latin America, dogs and cats are not looked upon as integral members of the family the way they are in many other countries. This often leads to neglect and abandonment. The projects we work with protect these animals and provide human company, medical treatment, and playtime for the animals. Animal Care volunteers may be placed at an animal shelter or a small zoo run by the Zoology and Biology departments at a local university. Please note that due to availability and seasonal needs at our projects, we cannot guarantee any particular type of facility. However, all the projects we work with promote the values of care and conservation for animals and your participation is valued. Volunteers may have the opportunity to work with animals such as dogs, cats, crocodiles, snakes, geckos, turtles, and a variety of other wild and domesticated animals.

    Depending on the project, volunteers may be asked to:

    • Bathe and/or groom the animals
    • Provide basic obedience training
    • Clean cages, feed animals, maintain the project area
    • Interact with and host visitors to the project (often children)
    • Play with and walk the animals
    • Assist with small construction projects
    • Photography, administration, and fundraising
    • Educational programs about conservation work

    This project is very physically demanding. 



    Typical day

    Working hours vary according to the needs of the project, but volunteers can expect to work 3-4 hours per day, Monday to Friday, in the morning or in the afternoon.

    Typical day

    Working hours vary according to the needs of the project, but volunteers can expect to work 3-4 hours per day, Monday to Friday, in the morning or in the afternoon.


    Free-time activities

    All year round, Cusco and its surrounding towns celebrate a mix of Inca and Catholic holidays, providing visitors with a variety of different cultural activities to experience. Cusco offers travelers a plethora of historical and archaeological sites both in and out of the city. Students most ...

    Free-time activities

    All year round, Cusco and its surrounding towns celebrate a mix of Inca and Catholic holidays, providing visitors with a variety of different cultural activities to experience. Cusco offers travelers a plethora of historical and archaeological sites both in and out of the city. Students most commonly like to explore the Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca, and of course Machu Picchu. Our local staff also posts a monthly events calendar to let you know of the activities going on around MaximoOur on-site travel partner is also very knowledgeable and can assist in setting up trips. 


    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 17 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 17 years old on the program start date.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level)

    Criminal Background Check

    required

    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 Maximo Nivel

    Our fees include:

    - Airport pick-up
    - Host family accommodations (shared room with breakfast and dinner)
    - Program and safety orientation
    - Walking tour
    - Official certificate of volunteer service
    - Emergency contact number 24/7
    - Program management
    - Free Tandem Conversation Program
    - Free office-wide WIFI and computer lounge
    - Free social activities
    - Free coffee and tea and on-site snack bar
    - Maximo Nivel Institute open 7 days/week

    Airport Pickup at Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport

    Airport pick up in Cusco is included. Volunteers find our representative just outside the airport bringing a yellow flag with a smiley face on it. 

    Accommodation

    Volunteers stay in a traditional family-stay with a shared room and breakfast and dinner included. 

    Food & Beverages

    Breakfast and dinner are included 7 days a week.

    Internet Access

    Limited access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) in Cuzco. We assist you to find cheap flights to Peru. 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 Peru provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

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

    Details on arrival

    Every Monday, all year round. The project is located in the suburb San Jerónimo in the city of Cusco. This is a 40 minute bus ride from the city center. 

    Volunteers travel to and from the project by either walking or using local buses or taxis. For the first visit to the project participants are taken by a Maximo Nivel representative using the local transport and given additional information about how to get to and from your project. Local buses cost approximately S/. 0.70 (about US$ 0.30) one way.

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

    Program fees

    1 week (min. stay) 683€
    2 weeks 943€
    3 weeks 1,122€
    4 weeks 1,292€
    5 weeks 1,466€
    6 weeks 1,641€
    7 weeks 1,816€
    8 weeks 1,990€
    9 weeks 2,165€
    10 weeks 2,339€
    11 weeks 2,514€
    12 weeks 2,688€
    13 weeks 2,863€
    14 weeks 3,037€
    15 weeks 3,212€
    16 weeks 3,387€
    17 weeks 3,561€
    18 weeks 3,736€
    19 weeks 3,910€
    20 weeks 4,085€
    21 weeks 4,259€
    22 weeks 4,434€
    23 weeks 4,609€
    24 weeks 4,783€
    25 weeks 4,958€
    26 weeks 5,132€
    27 weeks 5,307€
    28 weeks 5,481€
    29 weeks 5,656€
    30 weeks 5,831€
    31 weeks 6,005€
    32 weeks 6,180€
    33 weeks 6,354€
    34 weeks 6,529€
    35 weeks 6,703€
    36 weeks 6,878€
    37 weeks 7,053€
    38 weeks 7,227€
    39 weeks 7,402€
    40 weeks 7,576€
    41 weeks 7,751€
    42 weeks 7,925€
    43 weeks 8,100€
    44 weeks 8,275€
    45 weeks 8,449€
    46 weeks 8,624€
    47 weeks 8,798€
    48 weeks 8,973€
    49 weeks 9,147€
    50 weeks (max. stay) 9,322€
    Average fees 434€/week

    Program fees

    434€ per week 1 - 50 weeks Age 17 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    1 - 50 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 Maximo Nivel during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


    Meet your organization

    Maximo Nivel

    Brilliant 4.7 rating (110 reviews)

    Agency - founded in 2003

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Very high response rate

    Coordinated by

    Georgie

    Spoken languages: English, Spanish

    About the project

    Maximo Nivel offers Volunteer Abroad and International Internship programs in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru.

    Meet your organization

    Who we are? 

    Maximo Nivel is a family-owned organization that has been offering volunteer abroad programs since 2003. We are a locally-based organization in Costa Rica, Guatemala and Peru, where we also own and operate 4 intercultural centers in Antigua, Guatemala; Cusco, Peru; Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica; San José, Costa Rica.

    What we do? 

    We offer a wide range of work-study-travel programs, including Volunteer Abroad, International Internships, TEFL Certification, Gap Year, Spanish Immersion, Adventure & Culture, and more! 

    Where we work? 

    Maximo Nivel’s work-study-travel programs take place in Antigua, Guatemala; Cusco, Peru; Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica; and San José, Costa Rica. We also have off-site programs on the Pacific and Caribbean coasts of Costa Rica and Guatemala and in the Amazon Jungle and Sacred Valley of Peru. 

    Our mission/vision: 

    Maximo Nivel is a professional, ethical, and hardworking organization that is completely dedicated to providing a great experience to every student, participant, client, faculty leader, and partner who joins us.

    Our goals: 

    • Deliver high-quality, safe, affordable programs 
    • Provide the best Spanish language immersion in all of Latin America 
    • Improve impact at every volunteer project site where we work 
    • Train and certify world-class ESL teachers 
    • Organize excellent internships and other opportunities for international work experience 
    • Help people experience the world through education, adventure, and cultural travel.

    Who are we looking for? 

    Adventurous people who are passionate about travel, culture, languages, and helping others.

    Why choose us? 

    Maximo Nivel's program fees are affordable and transparent. We pride ourselves on providing great client service!

    110 reviews · rating4.7

    We felt really valued: I volunteered at the Zoo project in Cusco, Peru with 4 hour Spanish classes afterwards. It was great! I truly felt like I was a contributing helper to the animals and the classes were already helping me so much! Maximo Nivel made getting accommodated into a new country and ...
    I enjoyed working with the animals and helping a worthy cause. I had a great time on the Animal Care project. We were able to watch surgeries and learn about animal care in Peru. The dog project was a great experience to spread education to the public. The zoo care project was an amazing opportunity ...
    I would like to say a special thank you to Maximo Nivel for all your help and support for the time I was in Cusco. I am incredibly grateful for this amazing opportunity that I got to experience and very thankful for all the amazing co workers and staff that helped me. Thank you so very much for ...
    Wolfgang Oberauer rating5

    2024 at Construction and Renovation Assistant

    I had the most amazing experience as part of this volunteering programme. Maximo Nivel was great in taking me feel looked after. My hist family was always there for me, kept my room clean, cooked for me and were super reliable. A great benefit was also the Spanish classes which really uplevelled my ...
    Martina Gut rating4.4

    2024 at Support Local Healthcare

    Fue una linda experiencia para mí y me quedé satisfecha de toda manera. La primera semana estaba en un asilo de ancianos y las próximas semanas en un colegio para niños discapacitados, siempre con gente muy amable. En los fines de semana siempre hice excursiones fabulosas como montaña de siete ...
    Kathleen Nordstrom rating5

    2023 at Community Childcare Supporter

    I would recommend Máximo Nivel a million times over. The warm, engaging staff and volunteer/student community make you feel welcome from the moment you step in the door, and I met several lifelong friends. There are lots of opportunities to explore, including around the city and the country as a ...

    Location


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