Stray/street Dog Welfare Camp 2018

Background/Project: A sustainable future for the planet can only be achieved if both animals and people are part of the same eco-system. Sometimes it’s a forgotten fact that even animals are in need of food and water. Conservation and management of animals have a significant bearing on the survival of every species by helping in the promotion of a rational use of the environment to provide high quality of living for mankind.
VIN works in partnership with different organizations for the welfare of animals. Community Dog Welfare (CDW) Kopan is one of our partners, and is committed to raise community awareness and responsibility for dog welfare in Kopan, Kathmandu.  CDW is managed and run by Kate and Doug Clendon, a couple from New Zealand who have been living in Nepal for over 25 years.
We welcome volunteers to help with dog caring. Dogs are always delighted with the company and while they do get out on a daily basis for short walks, they also enjoy extra outings. Sometimes bathing is required, or treatment and bandage of wounds. Extra brushing is also welcome.
The volunteers will work with local staff four hour a day (morning and afternoon).  In the morning they clean out the kennels, take the dogs for walks in groups and give them breakfast.  In the afternoon, they will take them all again for a walk and will cook and feed the dogs.
Objectives:

• To support the centre to of injured stray/street and helpless dogs and find suitable families for them.
• To raise awareness on the conservation of animals among the community people.

Works/ activities

• Rescue & Recovery: Taking sick and injured dogs from the street into the shelter for medical treatment and care, volunteers can work with Doctors of the Veterinary Clinic (they visit only when needed), who provide professional service with compassion and sensitivity.  Nutrition is a key factor in recovery and restoration of low immune systems – the dogs receive a balanced diet of freshly prepared food. You will walk the dogs outside in the morning and evening, as free in the compound during the day, and secured in the kennels at night.  They are vaccinated and spayed/neutered when they regain health.
• Community Work: At Kopan area many dogs are free-roaming, whether individually owned, or street dogs.  A holistic approach, based on the participation of the local people, aims to change attitudes and improve the welfare of all dogs in the community. Raising awareness among community people is one possible work for volunteers.
• Hospice Care: Many dogs come into the shelter in a critical condition.  The centre try to improve their quality of life by providing ongoing care for the chronically ill, injured, disabled, abandoned, neglected and aged to save them from suffering and dying on the street.  They can live comfortably in a safe place receiving medical treatment and care.  Every dog is given a chance for an improved life and a peaceful place to die. 

Placement Support Process: The first day is arrival day and each volunteer is greeted and received by VIN local staff at the airport and taken to a local host family.  On the second day volunteers will receive a full day orientation at VIN offices in Kathmandu. The placement orientation will cover cultural tips, survival phrases on Nepali language, health tips, preparation for project activities and an introduction to VIN. Volunteers will always be guided by a Nepali camp leader and VIN supervisors will visit them time to time for follow up and support. Should you have any concerns on the workcamp, you may always call VIN for immediate help. During or after the workcamp, our staff will take volunteers on a half day sight-seeing tour a cultural heritage site. On the last day of the workcamp, volunteers will submit a detailed work report, fill up an exit form and sit with VIN executives for an exit interview and feedback session.
Location: Tarakeshwor : Tarakeshwor municipality is situated in the outskirts of Kathmandu District. It is around 10-15 km from main ring road to Balaju, Kathmandu covered with hills, fields and woods. 
Accommodation:  The volunteers will stay with the host family/hostel identified by VIN.  The living facilities are simple and basic. Male and female volunteers will share the same living area with separate rooms.  The volunteers sleep on simple beds / mattress. Please bring your sleeping bag.
Language: Basic English should be spoken among the participants
Participation Fee: The participation fee is 200 Euros (+30 Euro for transportation), which is to be paid on arrival at VIN Office, or upon booking the placement by PayPal or bank transfer before the placement.
The Participation Fee Covers:

• Food and Accommodation: Nepali Standard at a local host family – 3 meals a day
• Transportation: Airport pick up and pick up and drop to the working community site
• A half day guided sight-seeing to the world heritage site of Kathmandu
• Materials for the work-camp and community development projects support
• Local volunteers’ support cost
• VIN T-shirt, and certificate of participation
• 24 hours emergency support
• VIN admin cost. 

What’s excluded?
Airfare, VISA, Travel medical insurance, return airport transfer, entrance fees on the world heritage sights, Personal travel and weekend activities expenses etc.
Meeting point: VIN staff will pick each volunteer from the airport. The volunteers are requested to send their flight details to VIN on time so that we can send our staff with your name card and VIN’s Logo.
If you want to come earlier and explore the country more, you may find pre-paid taxi at the airport or VIN may help you on that.
Airport : Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu
Leisure Activities: VIN will take you to a half day cultural sightseeing. Either before, during or after your workcamp.  VIN also organizes weekends travel tours to Chitwan Jungle Safari, Pokhara, Nagarkot at an additional cost if you are interested.
(The detail info sheet and acceptance letter will be sent from VIN after we receive your Complete Volunteer Exchange Form (VEF) from the sending organization)