• Age requirement: 18+ years
• Dates: Year around.
• Working Schedule: 7 days a week for max. 6-8 hours a day.
• Language requirement: English. Basic Spanish would be advantageous.
• Costs: A 2 week experience starts at $750 (minimum time committment for this project is 2 weeks).
• Accommodation: Project Accommodation with Yamilet, the rescue manager, or a host family nearby. You will have your own room and bathroom.
• Food: Food will be purchased for you, but you might have to help prepare meals. 
• Location: La Palma near Puerto Jimenez, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica.
• We provide: 24/7 emergency telephone support
• Optional: A letter of recommendation and certificate at the end of your volunteer time

This is a 24/7 job. The dog rescue volunteer is going to be the assistant of the main managers and other volunteers of the rescue project. The volunteer also has to support the project with office related tasks.  We also expect from the volunteer to help with cooking and basic household tasks at the volunteer house. The dogs are living with you. You need to feed them, make sure they get their medication, keep track of vaccines dates etc and make sure everything is clean and they have no fleas or ticks. The rescue organization is covering all costs for flea and tick medication, food, vet bills, and other dog related items.  Volunteers are welcome to go on an occasional day or weekend trip if another volunteer remains on site to take care of the property and animals.

We ask that volunteers:

•       give all dogs a lot of love and attention – lots of playtime
•       feed dogs twice a day, make sure they have water and they are clean and safe.
•       take the dogs on walks (depending on how many we have, not all of them at the same time)
•       make sure the dog beds are clean (you will have a washing machine)
•       take good photos of the dogs for our rescue page
•       bring them to the vet if there is an issue
•       fixing kennels or anything house related.

Other Duties include:

•       Connecting with Facebook dog lover groups in Costa Rica, but also USA and Canada – posting our stories and photos of your rescue cases
•       Finding homes for our dogs through social media
•       Finding flight escorts to Canada and the USA o within Costa Rica.
•       Coordinating dog transports to the two different airports in Costa Rica
•       Coordinating dog transports within Costa Rica – escort the animal if necessary
•       Coordinating travel paperwork with our vets
•       Booking the animal on flights / checking flight regulations for pet travel for different airlines
•       Proof reading (In English) for publications
•       Instagram/ Facebook: We do have a page, which needs to be filled with photos + stories and it would be great to have your help!

The volunteer should have a strong interest in dog care. They need to help walk them in the morning and to cuddle and play with them. This should not be considered as a part of their “duties”, it needs to be something the volunteer enjoys.

You should also speak Spanish on an intermediate level, since you’ll be dealing with local Costa Ricans, and not everyone speaks English.

Our rescue shelter is located in La Palma of the Osa Peninsula.

Check this here on google maps. 

The organization receives volunteers year around. Minimum time commitment is 2 weeks.

The work load won’t be more than 6-8 hours per day, 6 days per week.

The costs for this project are:

• 2 weeks fee: $ 750.00 (minimum time commitment on this project is 2 weeks)
• 3 weeks: $965.00
• 4 weeks: $1,180.00
• For placements longer than four weeks, please contact us directly for additional information and a customized price quotation.

What Is Included in Your Volunteer Fee?

Your first week’s fee includes an organizational fee, which helps cover the essential behind-the-scenes costs of running our volunteer programs. These expenses include staff salaries, office rental, administrative expenses, and transaction and banking fees.

Your volunteer fee also covers:

• Accommodation: Your stay at the project site in either a private or shared room, depending on availability.

• Meals: Food supplies to prepare three meals daily during your stay.

• Project Support: A contribution towards the daily operating costs of the program you will be supporting. This helps ensure that your participation directly contributes to the continuation of our projects and local initiatives.

What Is NOT Included in Your Volunteer Fee?

Please budget separately for the following expenses:

• First and last night in San José: Accommodation in a hostel before and after your project stay.

• Airport transfers: Transportation between the international airport and your San José accommodation. Airport shuttles cost approximately $35 each way. We are happy to help arrange this for you upon request during the sign-up process.

• Public transportation to the project site: Bus travel between San José and the project location costs approximately $20 each way.

• Flights: International and domestic airfare.

• Travel insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance for the duration of your stay.

• Visa expenses: Any applicable visa or entry-related costs.

• Additional food and snacks: Any food, beverages, or snacks beyond the three daily meals provided.

• Extra-curricular activities: Optional excursions, tours, and recreational activities outside your volunteer project.