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Brilliant 4.76rating (58)

Saving cats, dogs and... turtles!

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

Highlights

  • Rescue wounded and ill animals and patrol beaches to protect turtles while laying eggs!
  • Save hundreds of lives, helping catching cats and dogs for castration and protecting nesting turtles!
  • Assist our veterinarians with emergencies and spend two nights per week in a tent on the beach!

Highlights

  • Rescue wounded and ill animals and patrol beaches to protect turtles while laying eggs!
  • Save hundreds of lives, helping catching cats and dogs for castration and protecting nesting turtles!
  • Assist our veterinarians with emergencies and spend two nights per week in a tent on the beach!
  • Save dogs from being catched and put to sleep by local authorities and nesting turtles from poachers and wild animals!
  • Make the difference at our clinic by helping our staff with heavy duties and staying up the whole night to patrol beaches!

  • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Volunteers that choose this program work in different locations of the island, are available during the day or at night, and know how to manage stressful situations

    An animal saver is ideally someone who is confident or has experience of working with cats and/or dogs and applicants to this position must have a good resistance to heavy and to long hours work. Animal savers are in charge all the day round. When they are not needed for emergencies or special ...

    About the program

    An animal saver is ideally someone who is confident or has experience of working with cats and/or dogs and applicants to this position must have a good resistance to heavy and to long hours work. Animal savers are in charge all the day round. When they are not needed for emergencies or special one-time tasks, their main task will be to assure the best possible life conditions to our rescued dogs, working mainly at the shelter, but their mission doesn't allow to have a definite working schedule or a definite amount of free time, as they will help whenever is needed or during spaying/neutering campaigns, or in the clinic when necessary (especially on week ends, or when the staff is off or missing work). Applicants for this position will be also required to join the local volunteers of our partner association Biosfera to patrol beaches where turtles lay eggs.

    Animal savers have no fear of difficult situations, can catch dogs with their hands and especially with their heart. Volunteers that wants to call themselves animal savers have no fear to make themselves dirty, never forgets to take a leash and a bag of dry food with them 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 him/her to our clinic to be spayed/neutered as this is the easiest way to save lives, and to fight abandonment, starvation and suffering. Their help will be crucial during spaying/neutering campaigns outside the clinic. An animal saver is never tired, can work the whole night and has no fear to walk on the beach at night and to sleep in  a tent together with other volunteers that they barely know.

    both the volunteers house and the backpackers hostel managed by the association are situated in Mindelo, the main town on sao vicente, in a very good position just a couple of minutes from the beach and the main square. 

    simabo clinic is situated very near to the hostel and the beach, while the shelter is just out f town, on the main road to.the airport. transport to the shelter is provided every morning for volunteers and staff. volunteers can go back to town at the end of their shifts  on foot (4 kms), by bicycle, by taxi, by bus or with a lift. hitchhiking in sao vicente is safe also for women alone. 

    both in the shelter and in the clinic the staff is capeverdean, only a few of them speak english, but there are always volunteers that show new volunteers around.

    after confirming your mission you will be given access to our portal for volunteers where you will find all the information you need to organize your travel and to work with us, divided by sections according to the positions available. 


    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)
    - 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.  



    Typical day

    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, ...

    Typical day

    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 for this position are accepted from June to October depending on availability. 

    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

    2025
    Ich bin sehr zufrieden, es war eine tolle erfahrung, sehr viele nette und tolle Menschen kennengelernt. Silvia ist super angagierr und hilft ...
    Laura Corleto

    Dog walker

    2024
    Ho fatto una settimana di volontariato al rifugio di Simabo e’ stata un’esperienza veramente bella ,ho conosciuto persone che porterò ...
    Alice Albergucci

    Animal Supporter

    2024
    I had a really good time at Simabo. I went to the shelter almost every day and walked the dogs. The dogs are super friendly and are really ...
    Julia Ottiger

    Animal Supporter

    2024
    Unforgettable experience that I recommend to everyone. If you like to share and be useful, then come. I stayed 3 weeks and would have ...
    thierry ouzelet

    Dog walker

    2024
    I had a wonderful time at Simbalo - it was a truly unforgettable experience. The dogs at the Shelter are adorable; always so happy to see ...
    Bridget Dewer

    Dog walker

    Location


    Meet your project coordinator

    Silvia
    58
    reviews
    4.76
    Brilliant
    2008
    Founded

    Verified

      Very high response rate
    Spoken languages: Portuguese, English, Italian, German
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    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

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