Animal shelter welcomes help in the beautiful colonial town of San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico

  • Favourited 1286 times
  • Last activity: 10 Apr 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    Situated in the beautiful mountains of San Cristóbal, the dog shelter is a nature spot full of trees, flowers and, of course, dogs.
    The main priority of the shelter is the rescue and rehabilitation of animals (specifically dogs) in street situation or abuse. There are 60+- dogs of all shapes and sizes.
    If you are intending to volunteer at this wonderful shelter, you should be aware of the fact that it is very rustic setting.

    The cabins where volunteers sleep are very basic (see photos). Some have electricity some don't. no running water (theres a truck that delivers water to our water tank where we then carry it to the different locations where its needed and a dry toilet/long drop. Also, since the loving and charismatic host Gabi is giving all her heart full-time to the well-being of the dogs and is dependent on donations for the successful running of the shelter, a regular supply of meals can not be guaranteed. Instead, there is a market close by, where you can buy cheap fruits, vegetables and so on, and you can use the gas kitchen or the fire place to prepare your meals. Since you will be in nature and around dogs all the time, be ready to get your hands dirty, be dirty (specially in the wet season) and enjoy the love of the four-legged friends.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Charity Work
    Language practice
    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    General Maintenance
    Help with Computers/ Internet
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    You will have the opportunity to experience basic living surrounded by dogs, nature and like other travelers (usually like minded).
    You will also be part of a devoted team who and will have the opportunity to share and learn from eachother, skills like: construction, veterinary, animal rehabilitation, animal training, animal grooming, etc. And you will also have the opportunity to live together and meet people of other nationalities, as well as locals. Because the dog shelter is situated within the mountain of Don Lauro de la Cruz (medicine man, you can find him on FB), you will also have the possibility to join the kung fu classes. On Sundays, there is a beautiful Temazcal close by.
    This is a great opportunity if your looking for spiritual growth, cultural knowledge while being part of a beautiful, loving family and project.

  • Help

    Help

    We require you to give the animals company, food, water, baths, walks, supervision, medication, clean their place, to build houses for them and for the people who stay with us. That means that your day will start with a round of poo cleaning, feeding the dogs, making a fire, prepare the next meals (you shouldn’t be shy to cut meat and animal organs). Also, the dogs need to be walked in order to get enough exercise, so you will have to grab one or to and explore the beautiful paths that lead up the mountain to the beautiful scenery of the mirador. If you are more into woodwork you could build and fix houses for the dogs and volunteers.
    The pathways of the shelter need to be clean so you will have to rake on a regular basis. You will have to carry water to use for drinking, washing and cooking. Since some of the dogs are sick and/or old, they will need medication that you have to give them to them. Bathing the the dogs that need it.
    There is always something to do and in case you feel that there isn’t – just ask.

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent
    Spanish: Fluent

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Our place is located within the "Mirador Nature Reserve" where, in addition to helping animals, you will also be able to attend many activities that take place in the reserve such as energy classes, mayan kung fu, kin maya and runes classes, mayan healing, temazcal, various differnt workshops and mayan ceremonies which are held 2 times a year during the solstice.

    Volunteers will have the option of staying inside the shelter in communal cabins or in a caravan. Blankets will be provided by us. There is also the option of staying in basic cabins 20 minutes up the mountain from where the shelter is located within the Reserve. Drinking water is provided in the shelter but you have to carry it up the mountain, there is no toilet and no electricity in the cabins up top, so be ready for the all-nature-experience.
    In general all the cabins are communal, rustic, in harmony with nature, with mattresses, blankets and pillows.
    For the options within the shelter we have dry toilets, and rustic showers.
    When possible Gabi will cook at the shelter or bring food, but this is not the regular.
    Please understand that you will have to provide your own food mostly.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    You can visit the magical city of San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas. As well as the various tourist areas around such as: Chiflón waterfalls, San Juan Chamula town, Palenque ruins, Agua Azul Waterfalls, Yaxchilan ruins, Zinacantan town, Sumidero´s Canyon and a great variety of beautiful places in Chiapas.

    Urban transportation leaves people 800 meters away from the shelter. You can also grab cabs and they will leave you in front of the entrance of our shelter.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 25 hours/week

Host ref number: 633692313613

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