To take care of the animals and maintain the property, we are always looking for volunteers to help us. So if you are a crazy cat lady, a dog lover or you just like animals in general, take a look at our 2 volunteering options!
Option 1: volunteer at the animal shelter
What do we want you to do?
Your most important task is taking care of the animals, which are mainly cats and dogs. You can feed and water the animals, play with them and give them affection, walk the dogs, clean the pet enclosures, assist the vets,…
Beside the work with the animals, there are much more things you can do. We are looking for volunteers to help us with creative art projects like mosaicing, we need help in the gardens, help with general maintenance work, computer work like maintaining our website and Facebookpage,… And of course you can suggest other ideas yourself.
You will work about 20 hours per week. Monday to Friday from 7am until 12am, with 1 hour in between for breakfast. In the afternoon and the weekend you are free do do what you want.
On our Links page, you can find experiences of former volunteers. This way you can learn more about the work with the animals.
Who are we looking for?
You are genuinely passionate about animals and want to take care of them;
You are looking for a fulfilling experience;
You are wishing to give of yourself;
You want to leave your footprint by making this a better world for animals;
You enjoy interacting and sharing hands-on experiences with our small group of dedicated people.
If you recognize yourself, then this opportunity might be for you.
Where is the shelter located?
We are located in Colán, a small beach town in the province of Piura, Northern Peru. There are a few restaurants and shops in town. The animal shelter is 100m from the virgin white beaches where you can have a swim and see beautiful sunsets. Colán is also home to the oldest colonial church in South America, built in 1536.
There are no ATM’s or banks in Colán. To do major shopping and access ATM’s the closest town is Paita which is 15 min in a colectivo.
Type of accommodation
Private room with bathroom. Hot water showers only available in winter months (most people are happy with cool water showers due to hot climate).
What is the price?
As we are a charity association, we rely completely on donations. Therefore we have to kindly ask you to contribute towards your stay.
Cost per week per person: S/ 400 (soles).
Included in the price: 3 basic meals a day (Monday to Friday). Breakfast ONLY on Saturdays and Sundays.
Not included in the price: Alcohol, sodas, bottled water.
Languages spoken:
Rosemary speaks fluent English and Spanish.
When can you volunteer?
We can use the help of volunteers all year round.
We prefer people who can stay for at least two weeks. If you want to stay one or more months, that’s even better. This way the animals have the time to get used to you, and the other way around.
How to apply as a volunteer?
You can send an email to rosagordon2003@hotmail.com or use the contact form on our Contact page.
Extra info
Just a reminder that this is an animal shelter, NOT a resort. Please feel free to contact us with any further questions you may have.
We really enjoy having volunteers and the animals of course benefit from your stay!
Option 2: volunteer at a self-sustained house
What do we want you to do?
There is vacancy to stay on a rural property which is also owned by Rosemary. This is a self-sustained house.
The work at the house includes watering the plants, tidying and maintenance of the property as well as feeding the 4 semi feral cats who have been all spayed and neutered and have been at the property for quite some time now. Rosemary was going to set up a second shelter there, started building cages and obtained more land for housing cats and dogs however the project is suspended for the time being and she will make it into more of an emergency animal shelter in the near future.
You are also welcome to come to the shelter to help walk the dogs, socialize with the cats and any other odd jobs around the property that need to be done. This may involve, arts and crafts, gardening, computer work etc.
Where is the house located?
The house is also in Colán, at 2.7kms from the animal shelter. You can walk over there in 30 minutes. It’s a very easy walk down (from the house to the animal shelter) and you get to walk by the oldest colonial church in South America. You can also take a motor taxi or a colectivo.
Type of accomodation
At the house, there is a bathroom with a toilet/shower (not hot), a stove, 2 single beds, tables and chairs and plenty of kitchen supplies to make delicious home cooked meals. The house is self-catering therefore food and cooking is your responsibility. It is most suited for couples, two friends or a very self-contained single person who does not mind living on their own.
The property consists of a fenced in area of 32 x45 metres and contains papaya trees, a lemon tree and chili bushes as well as other plant and cacti species. It is quite nice to sit on the porch in the afternoon looking out into the garden and watch the sky change colours with the sun going down.
There is no Wi-Fi in the house however there is Wi-Fi in town at the beautiful Playa Colán Lodge which is situated right on the beach. Perfect to have a drink and watch sunsets over the ocean!
What is the price?
The price for this option is 175 soles per person per week. This includes electricity, water and gas. Food is not included.
When can you volunteer?
We can use the help of volunteers all year round.
We prefer people who can stay for at least two weeks. If you want to stay one or more months, that’s even better. This way the animals have the time to get used to you, and the other way around.
How to apply as a volunteer?
You can send an email to rosagordon2003@hotmail.com or use the contact form on our Contact page.
Volunteer with animals in Peru 