Animal Care Volunteer Program in Trinidad and Tobago
Want to volunteer with dogs and cats as an Animal Care volunteer in Trinidad and Tobago? International Volunteer HQ’s Animal Care project gives volunteers the opportunity to help in a shelter that houses stray and abandoned dogs and cats. Volunteers gain experience looking after animals while providing the animals with human companionship, medical treatment and everyday care with the goal of helping them find loving homes. For those who are veterinary students or qualified vets, there is also a vet clinic in the shelter where they can provide assistance when needed, in addition to the shelter work they are assigned.
Highlights:
- Programs start every second and fourth Monday of the month
- Affordable fees from $620 for 1 week
- Includes accommodation, breakfast only, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
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Care for, feed and groom abandoned dogs and cats
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Enjoy Tobago’s gorgeous beaches and abundance of nature
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Stay in volunteer apartments with other volunteers Crown Point
Key information
This program is ideal for:
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
For many low-income communities in Trinidad and Tobago, food is scarce and cannot be spared to feed animals, even pets. This means many animals, especially dogs and cats, are abandoned on the streets and left to fend for themselves. With this lack of food and care they often end up ill or injured. Volunteers can help address this issue by assisting at an animal shelter that cares for displaced dogs and cats. The aim is to rehabilitate the animals and give them the best chance of being re-homed.
As an Animal Care volunteer, you’ll provide much valued human company and general care to these animals, many of whom have been abandoned by previous owners. You’ll assist shelter staff with:
- Cleaning the shelter
- Feeding the dogs
- Training, walking and playing with the animals
- Shelter maintenance and upkeep
- Rescue missions for street dogs
- The re-homing process
Volunteers who are training or qualified veterinarians may also have the chance to provide medical treatment and perform small procedures such as cleaning and dressing wounds.
Please note, all volunteers will need to bring scrubs to wear on this project.
Why do Animal Care volunteering in Crown Point with IVHQ?
When you volunteer with animals in Trinidad and Tobago, you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Helping care for and re-home stray and abandoned animals
- Supporting local animal care initiatives
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining animal care experience
- Immersing yourself in Caribbean culture
- Discovering the natural beauty of Tobago
Volunteer requirements
- If volunteers wish to be considered for vet related tasks on this project, they must be enrolled in veterinary school or fully qualified as a veterinarian.
- To join this program independently volunteers must be at least 18 years old. If you are under the age of 18, you must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18 and have parental consent to join the program.
- All volunteers over the age of 18 must have a clear criminal background check. For those under the age of 18, 2 character reference letters will suffice in lieu of a background check.
- All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance.
- All volunteers must speak fluent English.
Are you eligible to volunteer?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
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Academic course credit
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Location
The IVHQ Trinidad and Tobago volunteer program is based in Crown Point, a small coastal village on the island of Tobago. This is the smaller of the Twin Islands of Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean.
The island of Tobago is known for its stunning white sand beaches, turquoise waters, abundance of wildlife, and delicious seafood. The island is mainly untouched by mass tourism, making it an amazing place to reconnect with nature. There are more than 260 species of birds on the island, a diverse range of vibrant coral reefs to explore, and an abundance of waterfalls and rainforest you can hike through.
Crown Point is where orientation and general administration is carried out by our local team. Volunteer placements are between 15 - 30 minutes on public transportation from our program location.
Arrival and orientation
The Trinidad and Tobago Program has available start dates on the second and fourth Monday of each month, and volunteers can choose from a duration of 1 - 4 weeks.
We ask that you arrive at A.N.R. Robinson International Airport the Sunday prior to your start date. Your airport pickup is included in your program fee, and the local team can provide a pickup anytime on Sunday. The airport is approximately 15 minutes from the volunteer accommodation.
Orientation is provided by our Trinidad and Tobago team and begins first thing Monday morning. Orientation covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Trinidad and Tobago – an introduction to the country, Trinidad and Tobago customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities in Trinidad and Tobago, and an introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.
Your volunteer placement will begin the following day (Tuesday).
Volunteer schedule example
First day
You will be taken to your placement by a local team member and introduced to the placement staff.
Weekdays
You may have a morning or afternoon shift, or both, and can expect to work a minimum of 3 hours, Monday through Friday. Please note that the schedule below is an example schedule only. Start time and daily workload depends on your chosen project. A typical daily schedule would be as follows:
| 7:30 AM | Breakfast at the volunteer accommodation. |
| 8:00 AM | Travel to placement to join local placement staff and begin work on your project. |
| 12:00 PM | Break for lunch. |
| 1:00 PM | Work at the placement commences if you have been assigned with an afternoon shift. |
| 3:30 PM | You are free to travel back to the volunteer house to relax, go sightseeing or do some shopping. |
Weekends
With weekends free, you’ll be able to explore all that Tobago and neighboring islands have to offer, including the country’s distinctive food, music and culture.
Weekends can be spent exploring Tobago, island hopping or joining an add-on tour. The local team will also have great recommendations for things to see and do locally, which they will discuss with volunteers as part of orientation.
Accommodation and WiFi
Volunteers are accommodated in 1 bedroom apartments that reside within a local B&B complex, and each apartment can fit up to 2 individuals. Bedrooms are comprised of single beds, and bed linen is provided. Each apartment includes a western-style bathroom, fully equipped kitchen, small dining and lounge area.
Please note, this is a public accommodation. Our local team will accommodate IVHQ volunteers in small apartments together, but it is possible that you may also be sharing the common spaces of the apartment complex with independent travelers. The accommodation is cleaned twice weekly, but you will be responsible for keeping your personal space tidy.
Laundry facilities are not available on-site, but can be accessed in town (approximately 15 minutes driving) at a cost of approximately US$6 ($40TNT) per load.
Meals
Volunteers are provided with light breakfast items in a self-serve manner each day, which include toast, cereal, tea, coffee and creamer. You are welcome to purchase your own groceries to supplement these items for your personal preferences.
Volunteers are responsible for their own lunch and dinner each day. You will have access to your own kitchen in the accommodation, and groceries can be purchased locally so you can prepare your own meals. There are a few restaurants within walking distance of the accommodation if you’d prefer to eat out. We recommend budgeting around US$10 - 30 per meal if you choose to eat at a local restaurant or cafe.
Pricing
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
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|---|---|
| 1 week | $620 Equivalent to $89/day |
| 2 weeks | $1,020 Equivalent to $73/day |
| 3 weeks | $1,385 Equivalent to $66/day |
| 4 weeks | $1,729 Equivalent to $62/day |
- Accommodation
- Breakfast only
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Airport pick-up
- Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately $329) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Additional things to budget for include: Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check, lunch and dinner meals, public transportation to and from your placement each day (approx. US$10 per day) and return to the airport when your program finishes.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Trinidad and Tobago generally find US$200 - $300 per week to be sufficient for additional expenses.
Check what's required to visit Trinidad and Tobago
Safety and support
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
- All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
- All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
- All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
- All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Essential country information
| Capital | Port of Spain |
| Population | 1,412,090 country population |
| Languages | English |
| Currency | Trinidad & Tobago Dollar (TT$) |
| Time zone | UTC-4:00 |
Weather and climate
The climate of Trinidad and Tobago is tropical, with high relative humidity. The coolest months are December to February, when the average minimum temperature ranges from lows of 71 °F (22°C) and highs of 86 °F (30°C). The warmest months are August to October, which have an average maximum temperature of about 89 °F (32 °C).
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