Login

Select travel dates to see prices

Brilliant 4.76rating (58)

Animal saver

location
4 - 4 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
Verified

Highlights

  • Rescue wounded and ill animals!
  • Save hundreds of lives, helping catching cats and dogs for castration!
  • Assist our veterinarians with emergencies!

Highlights

  • Rescue wounded and ill animals!
  • Save hundreds of lives, helping catching cats and dogs for castration!
  • Assist our veterinarians with emergencies!
  • Save dogs from being catched and put to sleep by local authorities!
  • Make the difference at our clinic by helping our staff with heavy duties (moving heavy equipment, transporting heavy animals, uploading/downloading rice and dryfood sacks, etc.)

  • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    50+

    About the program

    Takes part into rescues, in different parts of the town and of the island, is available on emergencies, is never tired, knows how to keep calm in stressful situations

    An animal saver is ideally someone who is confident around dogs, or has experience of working with them. Animal savers are in charge all day round.

    Your mission takes you out there: you help whenever help is needed, during spaying and neutering campaigns, or in the clinic when necessary — ...

    About the program

    An animal saver is ideally someone who is confident around dogs, or has experience of working with them. Animal savers are in charge all day round.

    Your mission takes you out there: you help whenever help is needed, during spaying and neutering campaigns, or in the clinic when necessary — especially at weekends, or when staff are off or missing work. This is why the role does not come with a definite working schedule or a definite amount of free time.

    When you are not needed for emergencies or special one-time tasks, your main task is to assure the best possible life conditions to our rescued dogs, working mainly at the shelter.

    Animal savers have no fear of difficult situations. They catch dogs with their hands, and especially with their heart. Volunteers who want to call themselves animal savers have no fear of getting dirty, and never forget to take a leash, a bag of dry food and a bottle of water with a bowl when they go out. They don't miss any occasion to catch a dog on the street and bring them to our clinic to be spayed or neutered, as this is the easiest way to save lives and to fight abandonment, starvation and suffering. Their help is crucial during spaying and neutering campaigns outside the clinic.

    **We also ask every animal saver to photograph and film what they do.** Thirty percent of our work is financed by private donations, and people give to what they can see. You do not need to be a photographer, your phone is enough. Take photos and short videos as you go, note down what happened to each animal, and hand the material over before you leave. Our Communication Team uses it for social posts, newsletters and fundraising campaigns.



    Typical day

    The special mission of an animal saver does not allow for a definite working schedule or a definite amount of free time. Every occasion is good to save lives or to stop suffering. In Mindelo and in the villages of São Vicente there are thousands of stray dogs waiting to be treated, spayed, neutered ...

    Typical day

    The special mission of an animal saver does not allow for a definite working schedule or a definite amount of free time. Every occasion is good to save lives or to stop suffering. In Mindelo and in the villages of São Vicente there are thousands of stray dogs waiting to be treated, spayed, neutered and dewormed — even in your free time.

    When you are not out on an emergency or a special task, you work at the shelter, assuring the best possible life conditions to our rescued dogs, or in the clinic when necessary.

    You will have the opportunity to take part in or observe Simabo's wider work, for example outreach vaccination and neutering, and education sessions. This depends on what is timetabled during your stay, so it cannot be guaranteed, but volunteers are welcome to observe and assist.

    Whatever the day brings, keep your phone or your camera with you.

    NOTES:

    - The information given in the Time Commitment section of this program is only indicative and not binding: the free day can be on any day of the week (maybe on the weekend, maybe not) and the working time is per shift: one morning shift from 7 AM to 1 PM, or one afternoon shift from 1 PM to 7 PM.

    - Changes in shifts must be communicated a week in advance and be authorised.

    - Changes in shifts can't leave shifts uncovered.

    - We'll do our best to give you the morning shift on the last working day of one week and the afternoon shift of the first working day of the following week, so that you have 2 days and 2 nights off and you can visit another island if you like.



    The special mission of an animal saver doesn't allow to have a definite working schedule or a definite amount of free time. Every occasion is good to save lives or to stop suffering. In Mindelo and in the villages of Sao Vicente there are thousands of stray dogs that wait to be treated, spayed/neutered, dewormed, even in your free time! 

    You will have the opportunity to share or observe Simabo's wider work, for example outreach vaccination and neutering, and education sessions. This will depend upon what events are timetabled at the time of your stay so cannot be guaranteed but volunteers are welcome to observe / assist these activities.

    NOTES: 
    - Information given in the Time Commitment session of this program are only orientative and they are not binding: the free day can be on any day of the week (may be on the weekend, maybe not) and the working time is per shift: one morning shift from 7AM to 1PM OR one afternoon shift from 1PM to 7PM.
    - changes in shifts must be communicated with a week notice and be authorized
    - changes in shifts can't leave shifts uncovered
    - we'll make our best to give you the morning shift on the last working day of one week and the afternoon shift of the first working day of the following week, so that you have 2 days and 2 nights off and you can visit another island if you like.  


    Free-time activities

    The island is famous for its music and its partying vibe! So night activity is guaranteed! 

    On the island you can find a diving center (in town), a windsurfing school and a kitesurfing school. 
    Capoeira is also widely practiced and can be learned with 2 groups in lessons held in the late afternoon.
    Hi

    Free-time activities

    The island is famous for its music and its partying vibe! So night activity is guaranteed! 

    On the island you can find a diving center (in town), a windsurfing school and a kitesurfing school. 
    Capoeira is also widely practiced and can be learned with 2 groups in lessons held in the late afternoon.
    Hiking paths are very simple to follow. Every volunteer who likes hiking can't miss visiting the neighboring island, Santo Antao, with its beautiful mountains and trekking paths. 
    If you are not so keen on hiking, you can rent a bicycles, electrical bicycles and scooters at local shops.


    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level)

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    In addition to the above requirements, animal savers are expressly required to be tolerant, diplomatic, and possess a cooperative spirit (both with local staff, whose contribution is indispensable, and with other volunteers). Also, they must have a willingness to understand a different culture other than their own. We handle both stray animals and animals with owners/guardians who have no other place to go. It is important to know how to communicate even though there may be language barriers.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 07:00 - 22:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    - pick up from the airport at the arrival
    - accommodation in a single or double room if travelling alone or in a bigger room if travelling in group (shared bathroom).
    - use of the communal kitchen at our nearby hostel 
    - advice to organize visits to other islands, especially Santo Antao, with hotel and ferry/flights reservations  
    - one tour of the island of Sao Vicente with our staff, usually with a deworming or spaying/neutering campaign

    Airport Pickup at Cesaria Evora International Airport

    Our driver will wait for you at the airport with a sign of SIMABO with your name.

    Be prepared to stay in a row for paying the "airport fee" that costs 32 euros. You can avoid this applying via Internet and paying in advance by credit card. All info to accomplish this will be provided in due time. EU citizens are not required to have/pay a visa, only non-EU citizens will have to buy one at the airport for 25 euros. 

    Vaccinations are not required nor recommended. There is no rabies in Cape Verde. 

    Accommodation

    Accommodation for volunteers is available in single rooms with shared bathroom in our volunteer house or in double or triple rooms with shared bathroom in the hostel. Both are located just a couple of meters away from our clinic, the beach, and the main square of Mindelo. Extra fee is charged for a single room in the hostel.
    Volunteers can prepare their own food in the hostel kitchen, where paying guests are hosted to raise funds for the project.
    At the hostel volunteers can meet any kind of travellers and together they can plan trips, excursions, parties, dinners, anything that makes fun and makes your volunteering time unforgettable. 

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site
    You don't have to pay anything yet

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Food & Beverages

    Food, snacks or beverages are at extra costs.

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Cesaria Evora International Airport (VXE) in Sao Vicente. We assist you to find cheap flights to Cape Verde. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Cape Verde provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Cape Verde you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Cape Verde. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    Volunteers are accepted throughout the year depending on availability.

    Usually the best months to come are from april o mid-July and form the beginning of OCtober to mid-December, because of the temperature and also because of the cost of the flights, that can be a expensive in the high season (Christmas, August).
    Carnaval is a highlight of Mindelo's life, volunteers are always welcome at that time of the year. 

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program Fees

    $109 per week 4 - 4 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    4 - 4 weeks

    Deposit

    Reserve your spot with just a few clicks and a small, secure deposit. You can pay by credit card, PayPal, or other convenient methods.


    Final Payment

    You’ll agree on the final payment method with your local organization during the application process. This final payment is only due closer to the start of your trip.

    You don't have to pay anything yet

    4.76
    58 reviews

    Volunteer photos

    2021
    Wonderful volunteering experience in Africa. Simabo gave me the opportunity to experience the local culture and be in contact with animals, ...
    Antonio Malatesta

    Animal saver

    2021
    Hello, I’m Miriam, 31 years old, from Germany. I had the great honor to be a part of the SIMABÔ team for some weeks. I walked the dogs ...
    Miriam

    Animal saver

    2021
    When I came to SIMABO I did not know what to expect, but as soon as Silvia opened the door for me and three other travelers I was taken ...
    Lama M Üsli

    Animal saver

    2020
    I worked at SIMABO dog shelter for 3 weeks in March 2020. During this time I lived in "Simabo Hostal", which is situated in the centre of ...
    Geronimo Hugh

    Animal saver

    2019
    Getting involved in the hard work of an animal organization in Cap Verde. After one month of hard work in Mindelo, I can just say that this ...
    Ana Robles Pérez

    Animal saver

    2019
    It's not easy to describe, with only a few words, all the work that Simabo conducts on the island of Sao Vicente for the recovery and ...
    Ginevra

    Animal saver

    Location


    Meet your project coordinator

    Silvia
    58
    reviews
    4.76
    Brilliant
    2008
    Founded

    Verified

      Very high response rate
    Spoken languages: Portuguese, English, Italian, German
    Travel safely by using Volunteer World for your communication and bookings. This way, you can benefit from the Flex Option, Refund Guarantee, and Resolution Support.

    You might also be interested in

    Contact Silvia
      Very high response rate
    Portuguese, English, Italian, German

    Most volunteers ask about


    Do you have any more questions? Send a message to Silvia
    Please don't share personal contact details for your privacy

    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

    Book with Flex Option!

    Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs within 12 months.

    Complete Support for Every Volunteer

    This helps us run our platform and offer essential services like Comprehensive Support, Refund Guarantee, Flex Option without rebooking costs, and Price-Guarantee. This includes VAT.

    Price details