Location Highlights
Cape Town is nestled in the shadow of Table Mountain overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The city is truly cosmopolitan with a mix of East and West, old and new, a vibrant nightlife and diverse cultural and religious backgrounds.
The city is rich in history and scenic splendour worth exploring with Cape Point a scenic drive away and Robben Island just a boat trip over the water. Further out you can wander the wine farms and explore the vast mountain ranges.
Project Description
A pro-life, non-profit organization, the animal rescue society aims to rescue, rehabilitate, re-unite and re-home lost, abandoned, abused, and neglected animals and to educate disadvantaged communities. The shelter strives to uplift the lives of companion animals in underprivileged communities by providing free sterilizations, primary health care, veterinary treatment, and food, as well as humane education to pet owners.
The shelter has an on-site clinic, which at any given time can care for up to 300 animals by providing food, shelter, and positive interaction with people. An average of 100 animals are admitted to the shelter every month and to date, it has homed over 10,000 furry friends. The shelter also has a Feral Cat Program, which traps feral cats, sterilizes them and releases them back into their natural habitats.
How We Make An Impact
Life as a volunteer
As a volunteer, you will be involved in a variety of activities such as feeding, grooming, walking, rescuing and socializing. If you are interested in animal care, studying veterinary science or have any veterinary experience, you will get great exposure to animal welfare in a different country. You will have the opportunity to work closely with the shelter staff and highly qualified veterinarians who will be happy to share their wealth of knowledge with you! They are also keen to get you as involved as possible and will help equip you with the knowledge you need to contribute to the health and well-being of animals wherever you are. You will take a hands-on role within the kennels as well as playing a crucial part in pre and post-operative care. For those that are qualified or who are studying veterinary care, there will be the possibility to register with the South African authorities prior to your arrival and then assist a local veterinarian with surgeries.
Veterinary Assistance
Having the possibility to observe surgeries in a foreign country is an eye-opening experience that will give you a true insight into animal care, the limited resources available and a large number of animals that require support. You will also be able to assist with pre and post-operative care, including shaving and cleaning the animals, which is crucial to assisting the busy veterinarians with their daily schedule.
Qualified vets or those studying to become a vet may also have the opportunity to assist with surgeries which will be an incredible addition to your veterinary experience. Please note that you will need to submit the relevant paperwork in advance so that you can register with the local South African authorities.
Daily Duties
As a volunteer, your role in the day to day running of the center is vital to its success. You will take a hands-on role in the kennels, as well as being a key dog walker, enabling the animals to get much-needed exercise. Your focus will also be to rehabilitate the animals to enable them to be adopted into a loving home.
Community Outreach
During the summer months, you may have the opportunity to be involved in community education workshops and roadshows. This is a great way to educate and empower local communities whilst promoting animal welfare and adoption.
Why You Should Join
- Gain valuable experience in veterinary care and animal welfare
- Take a hands on role in the kennels
- Rehabilitate animals to enable them to be adopted into a loving home
- Observe surgeries and clinic treatment with a resident veterinarian
- Assist with crucial pre and post-operative care
- For qualified vets or veterinary students, have the eye-opening opportunity to assist the resident veterinarian with surgeries
- Take advantage of optional trips to explore Cape Town’s spectacular attractions including world famous Table Mountain and Robben Island
- Make friends for life with the other international volunteers on the programme and immerse yourself in Capetonian culture
During your stay you will have the opportunity to enjoy some of the incredible attractions Cape Town has to offer. These excursions are also a great time for volunteers to interact and get to know each other better.
Popular Outings:
- Aquila Safari – a “Big 5” private game reserve (minimum of 4 people)
- Cape Point Peninsula Tour including a visit to the penguins at Boulders Beach
- Abseiling down Table Mountain
- Shark Cage Diving
- Sky-diving
- Hop-on, Hop-off Cape Town City Sightseeing
- Take a hike or cable car to the top of Table Mountain (cable car)
- Surfing lessons
- Experiencing fine wines and warm hospitality at Constantia and Stellenbosch wine farms
Details
Duration: 2 – 12 weeks
Countries: South Africa
Experiences: Volunteering
Ages: 18 and up ( Over 60 requires medical certificate)
Experience Requirements:
- Genuine love and concern for animals and the environment
- Enthusiasm, and interest in wildlife and the natural environment
- You must be in good physical health, as you will be expected to participate in physical activities
- Ability to work as part of a team, be flexible and cooperative**Note: Patience and enthusiasm are essential for this project J (a laptop is highly recommended).
Project Starts: Every other Sunday (see scheduled dates below)
Dates: 12 & 26 March | 9 & 23 April | 7 & 21 May | 4 & 18 June | 2, 16 & 30 July | 13 & 27 August | 10 & 24 September | 8 & 22 October | 5 & 19 November
South African School Term dates:
During school holidays activities may differ from the usual schedule but the work will be equally engaging and rewarding. The school terms for Cape Town for 2018 are as follows:
Term 1: 17 January – 28 March
Term 2: 10 April – 22 June
Term 3: 17 July – 28 September
Term 4: 9 October – 12 December
During the holidays the schedule can look different but rest assured, your time with us will be still be rewarding and the work you will be doing will be meaningful and necessary.
Price:
$1,372.00 $1,524.00 $1,935.00 $2,345.00 $2,755.00 $3,165.00 $3,575.00 $3,985.00 $4,395.00 $4,805.00 $5,215.00 $5,625.00
A Typical Volunteer Week
| Mon | AM: Spend your morning working at TEARS either preparing food, cleaning the areas where the animals stay, spending time with them. Packed lunch at TEARS
PM: Planning Party. Volunteer welcome night |
| Tues | AM: Spend your morning working at TEARS either preparing food, cleaning the areas where the animals stay, spending time with them. Packed lunch at TEARS
PM: Continue work at TEARS in the afternoon either walking the dogs, helping at the cattery and playing with the dogs that are there. Tours talk and free time. |
| Wed | AM: Spend your morning working at TEARS either preparing food, cleaning the areas where the animals stay, spending time with them. Packed lunch at TEARS
PM: Continue work at TEARS in the afternoon either walking the dogs, helping at the cattery and playing with the dogs that are there. Workshop on topical issues and free time. |
| Thu | AM: Spend your morning working at TEARS either preparing food, cleaning the areas where the animals stay, spending time with them. Packed lunch at TEARS
PM: Continue work at TEARS in the afternoon either walking the dogs, helping at the cattery and playing with the dogs that are there. Events Night. |
| Fri | AM: Spend your morning working at TEARS either preparing food, cleaning the areas where the animals stay, spending time with them. Packed lunch at TEARS
PM: Continue work at TEARS in the afternoon either walking the dogs, helping at the cattery and playing with the dogs that are there. Weekend Begins! |
| Sat – Sun | Explore Cape Town and the surrounding areas on a day safari, wine tour or Peninsula trip.
Spend your morning Shark Cage Diving and your afternoon exploring Table Mountain through hiking. Abseiling or the more leisurely cable car |
Please contact us if you have any questions!
Accommodations
Cape Town is an internationally renowned destination and has something for everyone. The Mother City is home to iconic Table Mountain, beautiful beaches, stunning vineyards and the people will leave your heart fuller. Enjoy some of the most scenic drives, a beautiful mountain backdrop, spot stunning marine life and sample some of the eclectic restaurants and markets which has seen Cape Town recently been named the No. 1 food city in the world! Plus, you have the Garden Route on your doorstep ….. !
You will be staying in a fully furnished house situated in Observatory, a charming bohemian suburb close to the Cape Town city center. ‘Obs’, as it’s known by the locals, is an artsy district filled with quirky restaurants and relaxed bars with live music. There are plenty of shops within walking distance.
We call it The “Lion House” because of the gold lions that welcome you at the front door.
It boasts a central lounge area with comfortable couches for socializing and relaxing, as well as an outside space in the sun to relax, prepare for your next day or chat with fellow volunteers.
The Lion House offers 7 bedrooms that can sleep between 4-6 volunteers per room. We can cater for a large number of volunteers but you will always have your own space and private storage.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Airport Collection and drop off on arrival and departure
Wi-Fi available for an additional fee (± R20 per week) but you will need your own Wi-Fi compatible device.
Laundry @ R60 per load
All your daily transport to the project sites
3 meals a day (Monday to Friday) from our team of great chefs
A full-time housekeeping service and 24-hour support
Comfortable shared accommodation
A great experience with the opportunity to make new friends!
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Items of a personal nature, personal insurances, visas and gratuities
Gratuity
Optional extra activities, not specified above
Optional Tours and Trips
Cape Town is known as one of the most stunning cities on the globe! The beaches are beautiful white sand and there is a wealth of activities to keep you busy during your time off like Robben Island, the heritage site of Nelson Mandela’s prison home and of course Cape Town is also the gateway to the stunning Western Cape Winelands.
Here are some guideline prices for popular activities in and around Cape Town, which we can help you arrange once you have arrived.
Cape Point Peninsula Tour including Boulders R750.00
Cape Point is the most South Western Point of Africa… We will take you to Cape Point and the Good Hope Nature Reserve, Hout Bay, Seal Island, Simons Town and more!
Hop on Hop off Cape Town Sightseeing Bus R170.00
Explore Cape Town with informative audio commentary about all our major attractions in 15 different languages (and a special kids channel), City Sightseeing tours are the easiest and most fun way to see the sights.
Hike or take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain R275.00
Go and see the amazing views from the well known Table Mountain and explore the top with numerous walks
Surfing lessons (Muizenberg) R580.00
Try your hand at surfing in Muizenberg – a beautiful stretch of beach surrounded by numerous little restaurants.
Shark Cage Diving R1850.00
A breathtaking experience that will leave you wanting more! See the sharks up close and personal in Kleinbaai and you will have memories to last you a lifetime
