Conservation Volunteering, Community Volunteering
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Abandoned Dog Care, Cordoba
Volunteer to end the suffering of abandoned dogs in Argentina. With your support, this project can feed and rehome dogs on the streets of Cordoba.
Overview
Due to events in modern history, the Argentinian people are very conscious about the life and well-being of their street dogs. Between 1976 and 1983 the Argentinian military rulers created a cruel public service called “La Perrera” (The Dog Catchers). This group of public employees were in charge of “cleaning” the cities of dogs without owners. La Perrera rounded up the street dogs and transported them to dreadful dog enclosures, where inevitably the dogs were killed.
As a reaction to those cruel times, the current Argentinian democratic leaders abolished “La Perrera” and let many dogs live freely on the streets of the cities. This has however lead to a new problem.
The number of the street dogs has increased at a very fast rate in the city. Whatever the reason for so many owners abandoning their dogs, the end result is that these dogs suffer from malnutrition, injury from traffic accidents, disease and abuse. The aim of this project is to assist these dogs wherever possible.
Five years ago, two young students created a volunteer programme aimed at helping the many street dogs in Cordoba. The programme has proved very successful and has grown rapidly, offering medical assistance, food and care for these abandoned dogs. The main aim is to re-home them into a safe and stable environment.
As this project has a very tight budget, the organisers receive help from local and overseas volunteers. Volunteer involvement varies from veterinary care, helping to re-home or feed the dogs, through to transporting the dogs to temporary shelters or permanent new homes.
The project accepts a whole variety of volunteers all motivated by their love of dogs and the conservation of their well being.
What's included?
- Pre-departure information
- 24 hour assistance and support
- Airport transfers
- Accommodation
- Some food
Location
The project and dog shelters are located in the Northern suburb of Cordoba.
Cordoba is the second largest city in Argentina. In the old Town you will have the chance to see the rich Spanish colonial heritage with its many old churches, traditional buildings and the well known National University of Cordoba (UNC).
Due to the proximity of the mountains , the city is placed perfectly for excursions to “Sierras de Cordoba” or to the “Pampass” just 50km to the South. Cordoba has a vibrant cultural scene and you will enjoy the famous kindness and hospitality of the “Cordobeses.”
Project life and Photos
Your placement on this project consists of a varied combination of activities. Every Saturday the Shelter team, consisting of local vets and volunteers, treat the street dogs for skin disease, infections and injuries. Every dog is de-wormed and vaccinated against rabies.
Dogs in a serious condition are treated at a vet’s clinic and cared for at the Shelter until they are fit to be adopted into a new home.
There are simple activities for volunteers with a low level of Spanish and if you have a higher level of Spanish you will get more involved in specialised areas.
Tasks include:
- Rescuing dogs from the street
- Healing from different diseases and starvation
- Administering medication and treatments under supervision
- Taking part in fundraising and implementing new ideas at the Shelter
- Helping with feeding and cleaning the dogs
- Health care, exercising and playing with the dogs
Finally you will have the pleasure of assisting in the rehoming of these animals to a place where they will receive love and be embraced as a new mate or a member of the family.
Flights, transportation and visas
International flights and travel are not included, but an airport collection from one of your project coordinators will be pre arranged for you.
There is an efficient and regular public transport system across the city allowing you to explore the local area with your time off. Information about buying a weekly travel pass and other tickets will be given during your orientation.
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CIBT Visa advice... For expert visa advice we advise our volunteer, work placement, and internship participants to get in touch with CIBT - a company that we work in partnership with. Our UK, Canadian, and US travellers can use CIBT for visa advice and to get their visa applications processed - with visas returned within a week.
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Dates and duration
This project is open to Volunteers from March to November. As your project or language school will begin on a Monday, it would be advisable to arrive Saturday or Sunday.
Safety and insurance
Cordoba city instills a sense of security because of the constant movement in the streets. There is a strong tourist presence and since the economic crisis of 2011 a strong tourism infrastructure has developed. Argentinians are used to seeing foreigners and the country is well equipped to handle the growing tourist and expat population.
Hospitals in Argentina offer both private and public services. The medical staff are equipped to deal with emergency situations.
- All of Twin Work & Volunteer's placements are in partnership with recognised and established local organisations, run by or employing local people. These organisations, depending on the nature of what they do, might be small-scale NGOs, family projects, schools or orphanages, or local initiatives with environmental or social goals.
- We often use local businesses to provide logistical and support services to volunteers such as transfers, pick-ups, accommodation and so on. In this way, we support the local economy through helping independent local businesses to thrive. We take our partnerships very seriously and work extremely closely with all our partners.
- We provide 24-hour emergency support from the UK and our partners provides support locally.
- We have an agreement with the crisis management service Tranquillico, should the very worst situations arise.
- If any wider safety concerns arise in the destination, such as civil disturbances or natural disasters, we seek advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and implement their recommendations where appropriate.
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Insurance options... Comprehensive insurance is available for all programmes. You have no obligation to take up insurance with any of these companies, but insurance of a suitable sort is mandatory on all our programmes.
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Eligibility
- Minimum 18 years of age
- Intermediate level of Spanish
- High motivation
- The most important point for the success of the volunteer program is flexibility, good communicational skills, a willingness to get involved, and the desire to adapt to a different background and culture
Accommodation and Food
During the Spanish course, volunteers will stay with a host family near the Spanish school.
Later, when starting with the program, you may stay in the same accommodation or move to another location closer to where the project is located. Please speak to one of our travel advisors for advice on the most suitable option for you!
| Accommodation costs per week | Price |
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| Homestay: Private room half board | £125 |
| Homestay: Private room and breakfast | £105 |
| Shared house: Shared room and breakfast | £95 |
