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Sri Lanka

Volunteer in a Dog Care Project

Join the Dog Care Volunteer Project in Sri Lanka with Volunteering Solutions and work with one of the most reputed organizations devoted to the well-being of stray dogs in southern Sri Lanka

Highlights

  • A perfect volunteering opportunity for dog-lovers!
  • Work with one of the most reputed stray-dog care units in Sri Lanka, with an experienced team of over 40 people consisting of established veterinarians, caretakers, operations personnel.
  • Meet a bunch of enthusiasts traveling from different parts of the world and boost your co-working skills
  • Learn about the culture, traditions, and festivities of Sri Lanka
  • Gain first-hand work experience and bond with people from different parts of the world
  • Explore world-class beaches like Ahangama, Mirissa, and Tangalle and soak in the sun over the weekends
  • Meet other volunteers from around the world and stay in a volunteer house near the beach
Aiutatevi ehrenamtlich en un proyecto de allevamento con animales

Overview

Join the Dog Care Volunteering Project in Sri Lanka with Volunteering Solutions and volunteer with one of the most reputed organisations devoted to the well-being of stray dogs in southern Sri Lanka. There are hundreds of thousands of stray dogs in the country who suffer from hunger and untreated diseases, beaten to death, and extremely mistreated by humans due to lack of sensitivity.

Most of these dogs live on the streets, and many are in an appalling state. Unsprayed females produce several litters of puppies every year, many of which are simply abandoned in front of temples or thrown in the drains, etc. Being a volunteer for this program, you'll get an opportunity of hands-on work with dogs that need attention and care, while collaborating with a highly efficient team.

The main motivation behind this project is to provide a high level of care to the most neglected and vulnerable street dogs of southern Sri Lanka, so they have the best possible chance to survive and thrive despite the difficult odds they face.

Volunteers in the project work with a well regarded charity which cares for approximately 2,000 dogs in their facility which is the largest animal care facility in all of Sri Lanka. The dogs are divided in two adjacent units which house approximately 1,000 dogs each. The dogs are cared for in a beautiful, free-roaming sanctuary which provides a safe-haven for sick, disabled, and vulnerable strays. There is also an on-site veterinary clinic with resident local vets providing life-saving treatment and care.

Background to this program
There are an estimated 3 million stray dogs in Sri Lanka many of whom suffer immensely through malnutrition, disease, and horrific injuries. A significant portion of the local public’s knowledge/awareness of dogs (and animals in general) is unfortunately still quite limited and often regressive leading to ill-treatment and abuse.

Most dogs live on the streets, and many are in an appalling state. Unsprayed females produce several litters of puppies every year, many of which are simply abandoned in front of temples or at the gates of shelters. These puppies are usually too small to have even the slightest chance of survival unless provided with care. Many of them die of hunger or due to parasites or fall victim to animal abusers. Unfortunately, the government turns a blind eye to this problem and does nothing to support the well-being of stray dogs.

Hence, it is of utmost importance to provide these vulnerable dogs with a level of care that gives them the best chance to survive and thrive. With a distinct lack of safe havens and veterinary care available to strays in Sri Lanka, the work and facilities provided in this project are a lifeline to many otherwise doomed dogs.The goal of this project is to provide a dignified, joyful, and protected way of life to these beautiful creatures and give them new hope where there was none before.
 


Volunteer Work Schedule

Volunteer Work Schedule

  • Saturday: Arrival + House Tour
    Initial Training Sessions on safety & security, as well as cultural orientation, will also be provided. (This is done either on Saturday or Sunday depending on the time of arrival)

  • Sunday: Neighborhood familiarization tour

  • Monday: The first day of the project – starts with an introduction/orientation session at the project followed by the assignment of tasks for the week (new volunteers are usually paired with an experienced volunteer in their first week)

  • Tuesday - Friday:  Regular volunteer work at the project site. Volunteers will be assigned work in the  morning session from 8:30 am-12:30 pm.The project runs mainly in the mornings for 3-4 hours a day but the times can be altered depending on time of year and the needs of the project.

Breakfast - 07:30 am - 9:00 am 
Lunch -  12:00 pm to 1:30 pm
Dinner - 06:00 pm -7:30 pm


Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Volunteers spend most of their project time at the dog care facility doing hands-on work with dogs that need the attention and care. They also assist in various activities around the facilities, including local beaches and streets, to assist with the care work and day-to-day operations as needed.

The type of tasks volunteers can expect to undertake include:

  • High level of engagement with dogs and dog activities (playing, cuddling, etc.)

  •  Assisting during mealtime feedings

  •  Working with injured and disabled dogs and using a range of rehabilitation techniques such as hydrotherapy, wheelchair therapy and more (involves weekly trips to the local beach for these activities)

  •  Cleaning the general areas to maintain hygiene

  •  Helping with socializing certain dogs

  •  Puppy care

  •  Basic wound cleaning if necessary

  •  Occasionally assisting with building various tools for the betterment of the dogs’ experience (e.g., building small sheds, utility tools, toys, etc.)

  •  Other day-to-day tasks as appropriate

Please note that the above set of tasks represent the range of tasks past volunteers have undertaken over time. The actual set of tasks performed at any given time are dependent on the needs on the ground in those periods and are determined by the management of the dog sanctuary. Being a real-world project, the tasks can also evolve from time to time as per the needs and goals of the project.


Project Requirement

Project Requirement

Volunteers must be 16 years or older at the time of joining the project. You need to have an open mind and a flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference. Participants must be fit and healthy at the time of joining the program and should be prepared to work outdoors and get their hands dirty. Participants in the program should have a keen interest and love for animals and dogs in particular. A parental consent form shall be required for Under 18 participants joining the program.We strongly recommend participants get the anti-rabies vaccine before joining this project to cover for any unexpected bites or injuries that may occur in their day-to-day activities.

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Living

Living

Airport Transfers 
Volunteers are picked up from the Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport Airport by a representative of the local coordinating team on the program start date during scheduled airport pickup hours. Participants are also dropped off to the airport upon completion of the program during the scheduled airport drop hours.

Note : Airport Transfers are provided at extra charges of USD $37 each way for a shared transfer during scheduled pickup hours on Saturday.There will be 2 shared airport transfers every Saturday (Morning and afternoon/evening) from airport to Galle and vice versa for return departures.​ A private transfer is available for USD 100 and can be arranged on Saturday or for participants arriving on any date other than the start date.

Orientation
A detailed program Orientation will be provided before you start your volunteering program.All volunteers on arrival get a welcome presentation including health and safety training, culture presentation, project specific presentation and area orientation tour. Our staff will also assist you with the lessons and planning the curriculum, as and when required. You will also have access to our in-house teaching library consisting of manuals, books, and various teaching materials to help with lesson planning and providing general guidance.

Accommodation
Volunteers joining the programs in Galle, Sri Lanka, will get to stay in the quaint Unawatuna neighbourhood, overlooking the famous Unawatuna Beach and the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Our participants stay in two volunteer houses which are located near to each other.

The Beachside house is located right across the road from Unawatuna Beach and about 100 metres from the other volunteer house. It has 12 spacious bedrooms of varying sizes with attached en suite bathrooms each with air-conditioning facilities (most rooms also have attached outdoor balconies). There is also a separate dining area, small garden, lounge, terrace and a large office with permanent staff onsite. The property is safeguarded by multiple CCTV cameras and an onsite night security team.

The other larger volunteer house has 13 bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms.Most of these rooms have ocean views! There's a private 40-foot outdoor swimming pool surrounded by tropical greenery. The house also has 3 kitchens as well as 3 living/common rooms (one each per floor), a prominent dining area, and a private outdoor garden with seating/lounging areas.

The office is located on the ground floor of the house near the main entrance – this is where the local team operate from every day. The house is located in a peaceful, nature-filled neighbourhood adjacent to a small Buddhist temple (nestled away from the main tourist areas). To ensure the safety and security of the participants, there are CCTV cameras installed, and an in-house security guard for night-time surveillance. Hot water and high-speed Wi-Fi are there and you can opt for air-conditioning and laundry facilities at an additional charge.

Private (single and double) room upgrades are available at additional charges. During busy months participants are also provided accommodation in nearby guesthouses in case of low capacity in the volunteer houses or non availability of private rooms. Private rooms are provided in guesthouses within walking distance to the volunteer house. Volunteers stay in the private guesthouses and walk over to the volunteer house and have meals with the other volunteers.

All participants aged 40 years and older will be provided with a private room only and will not be provided accommodation in shared dorm rooms . Additional charges for private room upgrade shall be applicable.

Meals
We provide 3 freshly cooked meals per day all week long (Monday to Sunday): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Fresh ingredients are purchased from local markets to prepare these meals. The volunteer homes have cooks from the local community who come daily to cook fresh, homely and tasty local meals for the volunteers. We can cater to a range of special diets including vegan, gluten free, nut free and lactose-intolerant diets. If there are any other allergy or food requirements mentioned to us beforehand, we always do our best to accommodate those needs. Those volunteers staying in private guesthouse rooms near the volunteer house, usually have breakfast at the guest house and walk down to the volunteer house for their lunch and dinner.

Local Transportation
Local transportation to and from the project is included every day.

During Free Time
There is plenty to do during the free time and weekends for the volunteers.The following activities are provided free of charge and included in your program fee:

  • Evening Rooftop Yoga Session (weekly)

  • Movie nights on large screen projector at the house (weekly)

  • Bike tour across paddy fields and local villages (monthly)

  • BBQ for volunteers and staff in the garden (monthly)

  • Night Fishing for anyone into fishing (on demand)

The following are popular weekend (or even daily) activities which our volunteers love to do around the area (at an additional charge):

  • Surfing lessons

  • Elephant safari

  • Whale watching(during season)

  • Rainforest hiking

  • Beach hopping

  • Local cooking class

  • Galle Walking Tour

  • Local spice market visit

  • Galle Fort visit

We also encourage you to join our specially curated 7D/6N Sri Lanka Culture & Adventure Tour which packs the best of the island’s beauty and diversity within a week.The tour can be added to your program itinerary before or after the volunteer program.


Dates

Dates

November

16

23

30

December

07

14

21

28

Available

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Costs

Duration
Program Fee
Choose your currency
1 Week $735
2 Weeks $890
3 Weeks $1045
4 Weeks $1200
5 Weeks $1355
6 Weeks $1510
7 Weeks $1665
8 Weeks $1820
Extra Week $195

Please Note: An application fee of is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

What are you Paying For?

  • 24 hrs Assistance and support from Staff
  • Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
  • ​Dedicated volunteer housing with WiFi (shared rooms)
  • Orientation and training on arrival
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner all days
  • Guaranteed project placement
  • Local transportation to projects in private AC van or tuk tuk
  • Experienced bilingual operations team on the ground
  • Dedicated staff support from 6 am to 8 pm every day
  • 24/7 local emergency support
  • Weekly yoga class on rooftop terrace
  • Weekly movie nights on large screen projector
  • Monthly bike tour around paddy fields and local villages
  • Monthly special BBQ dinner
  • Travel & Medical Insurance(Available at an extra cost)
  • Certificate of Participation(On Request)

What's NOT Included?

  • Visa Fee
  • International Airfare
  • Scheduled Airport Transfers from Colombo Airport (available at extra charges)
  • Vaccinations
  • Any personal expenses
  • Additional Local Excursions and Trips

FAQ's

Application and Program Details

When should I apply for the volunteer programs in Sri Lanka?

Does VolSol provides with a reference or a certificate after program completion?

For how many hours will I volunteer every day?

How long will it take to process my application? Will my application be accepted?

When do I need to arrive in Sri Lanka for my program? What will happen once I arrive in the country ?

Are there any necessary requirements to participate in the Sri Lankan volunteer programs?

Does VolSol provides discount if I choose more than one program or if I am a returning volunteer?

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Flights and Visa

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Accommodation and Living

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Health and Safety

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