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Join GoEco on the tropical coast of southern Sri Lanka to provide care for over 2000 abandoned dogs and stray puppies at a renown shelter! As a volunteer, you will gain hands-on veterinary experience, help in rehabilitation efforts, and enjoy the companionship of dogs in need, all while living close to breathtaking beaches and engaging in cultural exploration.
Program Highlights
Your schedule at a glance (Minimum two-week commitment):
Arrival Day, Saturday: Airport pickup according to scheduled flight and shared transfer to volunteer villa. Meet and greet with fellow volunteers.
Day 1, Sunday: A welcome orientation and project training is provided, including health and safety training, culture training and an area orientation tour. Enjoy the rest of the day by exploring local beaches with fellow volunteers or joining an adventure! ( See “Travel Highlights” below for recommendations!)
Days 2-6, Monday-Friday: On-site orientation and rewarding volunteer work at the dog shelter from around 8:00 AM -12:00 PM.
Days 7-8, Saturday and Sunday: Free time for volunteers to relax or explore.
Remaining Weeks: The following weeks will follow the schedule of volunteering Monday-Friday and having weekends free. Departures are on Saturdays.
What’s Included
What’s not Included
Flights, online ETA visa (around $35), travel health insurance, personal expenses, optional weekend activities and tours (paid locally), private airport transfers (if required), private room upgrades.
This program takes place in Ahangama, which is close to the volunteer villa in Galle. Galle is a beautiful area in southern Sri Lanka that is surrounded by lush greenery and is in proximity to world-class beaches! Many of the nearby beaches are prime surfing spots, and others are more relaxing. There is even a turtle lagoon nearby. Galle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, complete with Dutch-colonial buildings, ancient religious buildings, museums and more. Galle is also quite trendy, and is home to cafes, shops, and boutique hotels. The volunteer villa is less than 100 metres from Unawatuna Beach, which is one of the most prominent beaches in all of Sri Lanka. Surfing, diving, snorkelling, beaching, etc, are all available in proximity.
There are about 3 million stray dogs in Sri Lanka, many of whom suffer from malnutrition, disease, and injuries. Unsprayed females produce several litters of puppies every year, many of which are simply abandoned in front of temples or at the gates of shelters. Animal care facilities in Sri Lanka, although limited, provide essential care for these dogs and promote public health.
As a volunteer, you will join the team of a well renown charity in Sri Lanka, with over 2,500 dogs in their facility. The dogs live in a beautiful, free-roaming sanctuary which provides a safe-haven for sick, disabled, and vulnerable strays. There is also an on-site veterinary clinic with resident local vets providing life-saving treatment and care. They also run neutering/rabies vaccination programs in the local area, adoption schemes and animal welfare education.
Volunteers will help provide hands-on care for stray puppies and dogs at this shelter. Many of the stray and abandoned dogs are sick and in need of medical care besides routine care
Some of your tasks may include:
Schedule: Volunteers will work from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM, Monday-Friday.
Veterinary Internship Upgrade
Qualified veterinary students can join the dog care internship program and gain hands-on experience. As an intern you will work under the supervision in-house vets and other supervisors at the clinic. You can assist in a range of tasks, including neutering programs (if they have the skills), treatment and diagnosis of various diseases, lump / tumour removals, wound stich ups, physiotherapy and more. You may also conduct checks on several disabled dogs, including health checks, temperature monitoring, dehydration checks, urine infections, etc. Depending on skill level, interns can watch and assist with orthopaedic surgery as well. Interns also help with the administration of drugs, wound dressings and vaccinations.
Local Achievements: We are thrilled to announce the opening of our transformative new Community Centre, made possible through the incredible support of our international volunteers! Located in the heart of Galle town, this first-of-its-kind facility serves as a free school and support center for the greater Galle community—home to our volunteer programs. This milestone marks a powerful step forward in uplifting the vibrant Galle community, and is a testament to our dedicated volunteers from around the globe!
Volunteer program requirements:
Internship program extra requirements:
As a volunteer, you will enjoy weekly evening yoga sessions, weekly movie nights, monthly bike tours, monthly special Sri Lankan BBQ and a monthly Buddhist temple visit! The volunteer villa is less than 100 metres from Unawatuna Beach, which is one of the most prominent beaches in all of Sri Lanka. Surfing, diving, snorkelling, beaching, etc, are all available in proximity. Additional travel adventures are available for an additional fee, see below:
Adventure Tour (Highly Recommended):
Extend your stay in Sri Lanka by participating in a seven-day Adventure Tour! This adventure tour includes a game drive, visits to waterfalls, a long train ride across beautiful tea gardens and local villages, an overnight stay at a riverside eco-lodge, visits to Sri Lanka’s most famous Buddhist temple in the historic city of Kandy, a village walk, a visit to Sigiriya Lion Rock, spend time in a local market and a trip to Negombo Beach!
Additional Recommendations:
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