Dog and Cat Rescue Shelter Centre in Mindelo
The dog and cat rescue and fostering project is located in the beautiful town of Mindelo, capital of the island of Sao Vicente, in Cape Verde. The center offers rescue and shelter services for animals on the island, mainly domestic animals.
Sao Vicente is the second most populated island of Cape Verde. It is the origin of many styles of Cape Verdean and Creole music. It has beautiful architecture inspired by the Portuguese colonial era. It is an island that also offers many activities.
The project is fully dedicated to the protection of the animal population in the city of Mindelo, especially dogs and cats.
The aim of our organisation is to support and care for cats and dogs living on the streets, which are generally in very bad conditions.
They have around 100 dogs, some waiting to be adopted locally, and others in need of special care. They all need a lot of attention, dedication and above all ... Long walks!
The association has been running for more than 12 years, and 4 years ago they opened a hostel to make the project financially sustainable. They also have a house for volunteers and of a clinic own to care for the animals.
They offer treatment for animals in need of intensive care, such as victims of traffic accidents or poisoning.
On the ground floor of the hostel you will find the 'cat paradise', where 22 cats are waiting to be adopted. They are cats rescued from the street. Help is always needed for delicate tasks such as brushing the cats, playing with them, taking care of the sick ones, etc. The moment you enter this cat shelter, they will come and greet you with a cat hug 🙂
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Project Location
Mindelo, Cape Verde -
Volunteer hours
7:00 to 12:30 h or 12:30 to 18:00 h with one day off per week. -
Volunteer activities
walking with the dogs, washing and playing with them, preparing the material to coordinate the work. -
Minimal collaboration
2 weeks -
Incluido
Tumaini accompanimentAccommodationKitchenLocal CoordinatorTraining courseAirport pick-upVolunteer liability insurance -
No incluido
Tourist activitiesHot waterLunchDinnerBreakfastTravel insuranceFlightWIFI
Volunteer Program
Voluntary activities
- Dog care (walking with the dogs, looking after them, playing with them).
- Meetings with the monitors to coordinate the work and preparation of the necessary material for the following days.
Profiles required
- Good physical fitness as the work is intense.
- Be of legal age or, in the case of minors, be accompanied by an adult. The minimum age to participate is 17 years old.
- Be a positive and committed person. The work can be emotionally difficult, as you work with dogs with different diseases or disabilities. It can also be stressful due to the intensity of the work.
- Be open-minded, tolerant, supportive and willing to learn. Flexibility is essential, as tasks may change depending on the needs of the NGO, similarly the ability to work in a team since volunteering is done in coordination with other people.
- People of all ages in good physical shape
- Groups, single travellers, couples.
- Families who want to educate children in values of solidarity and love of nature.
- Students of veterinary medicine, biology and similar subjects.
A day in the project
Project Location
Project
Climate
- April to mid-July.
- November to mid-December.
- 2 weeks: €500
- 3 weeks: €590
- 4 weeks: €680
- 2 weeks: 550 €.
- 3 weeks: €670
- 4 weeks: 790 €.
- Search for the solidarity trip that best fits your profile and interests to provide an enriching beneficial experience for both travellers and NGOs.
- A guide of the project with useful up-to-date information on the status and needs of the project.
- Support during the preparation of your trip: visas, vaccinations, tips for buying your flight, advice on what to visit, essentials to carry in your backpack, practical information (money exchange, transport, timetables, culture, etc.).
- Tumaini coordinator available by email or phone whenever you need to solve all your doubts. Sometimes, if possible, face-to-face meetings are also held.
- Online course on solidarity travel and responsible tourism, mandatory for volunteers to get the most out of their experience.
- Contact, if possible and on request, with volunteers who have already been in the project.
- Contact, if possible and on request, with people who are going to travel on similar dates to chat before the solidarity trip, resolve doubts or organize it together.
- Basic Tumaini Portuguese-Spanish dictionary.
- Accident and liability insurance specialized in volunteering.
- Follow-up during the solidarity trip.
- Letter of reference or certificate of solidarity travel/volunteering on request.
- CO2 compensation by planting a tree and monitoring it for three years on the island of Borneo in Indonesia.
- Accommodation in the chosen option.
- Pick up at the airport (we can also arrange the return).
- Local Coordinator.
- International ticket
- Travel insurance (compulsory)
- Meals (you will have access to a kitchen)
- Visa (free of charge for stays of less than 30 days)
- Extras such as personal excursions, shopping, etc.
- A contribution to Tumaini for the efforts and assistance of the volunteers.
- A contribution to the project for accommodation and, in some cases, food.