Guatemala Quetzaltenango (Xela) Animal Rescue Program

Program Description

Volunteers will work in an institution that receives around 500,000 visitors each year. This center boasts 200 animals that come from 41 different species. School children on field trips are common visitors since they want to learn about animals, but the center also has many other different types of visitors. The center is renovating its spaces to increase the areas for the animals and to improve facilities.

Potential Volunteer Duties:

- Assist veterinarians making daily rounds to provide medication and vitamins while ensuring a healthy environment for the animals
- Feed the animals and prepare the food
- Help with tours and conferences for groups of Spanish speaking visitors
- Help with tours and conferences for groups of English speaking visitors
- Assist in maintaining the park by building, repairing, painting and cleaning. For volunteers with a background in the health sector, they can learn how to apply injection and oral vaccinations to the animals
- We are looking for veterinarians, pre-veterinarians, and general volunteers

Volunteers must arrive in Guatemala in the morning since the last bus to Xela leaves at 3PM. We do not include an overnight stay in Guatemala City as a part of our program cost. You also must arrange your departure from Guatemala City for after 2PM.

Volunteer Application Process

Research your flights, the program location and determine your desired start dates. ABV program fees are based on 7 night increments (example 1 month is 28 nights = 4 weeks).

When you have your travels plans decided, click the APPLY ONLINE button on the ABV home page. Log In and create your own personal profile.

Fill out the application form in its entirety. This includes uploading your resume/CV and completing the online questionnaire. Incomplete (or inactive) applications will be deleted within 7 days of receipt. If you have any doubts, call or email the ABV office to verify your application was actually received by us.

Upon submission of your completed application, expect an email confirmation from ABV within 24/48 hours. Follow the instructions provided and Log In to your personal profile.

Read and Sign the online Volunteer Service Agreement, and the Participants Contract. Follow the payment instructions to pay your US$120 deposit.

After paying the US$120 deposit you will be emailed an Orientation Guide, the Pre-trip check list and your invoice. Log in to your profile for updates.

Bookmark the ABV Log In. This is your main source of information: flights, travel insurance, payment deadlines and project details. If you have any questions, ask us!

Highlights

Work with animals
Assist veterinarians
Learn about animal care
Help create a more comfortable living space for animals

Qualifications

In order to provide you with the very best service, we require that you read our policies. At the bottom of the online application you will be required to check the box that you have read and understand the terms and conditions of volunteering with A Broader View (ABV).

- You must be 17yrs old to participate. Children accompanying their parent/legal guardian must be 12yrs old.
- Travel insurance and medical coverage is not included in the program cost. These are the responsibility of the volunteer. Volunteer Card Insurance (US$45)
- ABV is not responsible for loss of property, personal injury, illness, accident, delay or expense sustained by the volunteer while participating in our program.
- ABV and its agents are not responsible for any financial obligations or liabilities the participant may incur including damages to property, or injury to others while participating on this program.
- ABV is not responsible for the cost of extra activities (sightseeing, language class etc) incurred during the course of your program. Daily transportation costs are the volunteers’ responsibility, although we try to confirm accommodations within walking distance to work site or bus transportation (very cheap in each country).
- Volunteers agree to follow the laws of the host country, the policies of the community in which they volunteer, and/or the rules of the host family, failure to do so will result in the termination of your program and forfeiture of all program fees.
- A non-refundable deposit of US$120 is required along with your application. Program costs paid in US dollars only. We begin the confirmation process once the deposit is received. Final payment is due 45 days prior to departure. Volunteers agree that no part of the program fee is refundable once the program has commenced.
- Cancellations must be received in writing. No refunds are issued for cancellations received less than 45 days prior to departure.
- Prices on the website are subject to change without warning. Once the deposit is received, the program fee cost is guaranteed and will not change.

Volunteer Types

What`s Included

Includes:

Accommodation: Host Family
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
Arrival: Airport meet and greet by ABV Staff
Orientation: Project Overview On-Site
Support: Pre-trip written guide, In-country ABV staff available 24/7
Departure: ABV Staff Escorted Airport Transfer

Not included:
Flights to Guatemala. Entry Visa.Departure taxes. Vaccinations. Local Transportation.Travel Health Insurance. Laundry and Internet