Animal Care

This project is well suited to animal lovers, volunteers who already have or had animals in their houses (such as dogs and cats), aspiring veterinarians, and professionals from the sector.

The Animal Care program in Rome has several objectives, all of which are equally important. In addition to taking care of our four-legged friends (dogs and cats), playing with them and enjoying long walks together, it is also essential to support the local staff of non-profit associations in the maintenance and cleaning of shelters. In addition to this, it is possible to contribute to communication campaigns in support of the shelters themselves, and create awareness around topics such as adoptions of aged animals. Another delicate, relevant task consists of taking care of dogs and/or cats suffering from particular diseases (such as FeLV for cats), learning how to treat them to make them feel better.

 

If you are planning to volunteer in winter and work outdoors, you should be prepared to have lower temperatures, between 40-60°F (5-15°C), so you’ll need warm clothing. From October to April, make sure you also have rain shoes with you, and everything needed to keep your gear from getting wet. As you will spend a lot of time with dogs and cats, bring clothing that can be easily damaged or spoiled. A white sweater with a paw spoiled with dirt on it will be your best souvenir!

As you will be volunteering with the support of a local team and placement staff, you do not need to be qualified or experienced to participate in this project. However, we encourage you to come prepared around the topic – if you love animals, but you are not used to them. 

This project has a minimum duration requirement of 2 weeks.

Price

Two first weeks 1975€€
following weeks 675€

Included

– Pick up at one of the two international airports & transfer to the accommodation – Sunday 

On Sunday, the ImpacTrip team will be at the airport waiting for you with a big sign and a smile on their face! 🙂

If you arrive prior to Sunday, you will still be able to receive an airport pickup and our team can transport you to the accommodation, but you will need to pay an extra fee for this service.
We will reach out to you by WhatsApp a few days before your start date to connect 🙂

– Accommodation at a shared room in a gender-separated bungalow
– Breakfast and dinner (Local style. Vegetarian, gluten-free and meals for lactose-intolerant are also available upon request)
– Shared use of common spaces, including spacious gardens and pool, and free WIFI
– Orientation event on arrival (including an introduction to Italy and its culture, volunteer experience, overview of programs, practical information, safety guidelines)
– Guided city tour
– The best tips to discover the city!
– Allocation and coordination of a work placement in an impactful non-profit project
– Introduction on the first day of volunteering
– Ongoing support throughout the stay
– 24h/7 emergency support

Not Included

  • Flights
  • Lunch
  • Pick-up at the airport on other dates
  • Drop-off at the airport
  • Transport between accommodation and volunteer project location
  • Personal expenses
  • Personal insurance (health or accidents)
Animal Care
Animal Care
Animal Care
Animal Care
Animal Care
Animal Care
Animal Care
Animal Care
Animal Care
Animal Care
Animal Care
Animal Care

More about this program

How is a typical day in this volunteer program?

07:00 am – 10:00 am | Breakfast at the volunteer’s accommodation

10:00 am – 13:30 pm | (1) Travel to project to join local placement staff and begin work on your volunteer project or (2) Explore the city, relax or enroll in other activities if you have an afternoon project

13:30 pm – 02:30 pm | Prepare your lunch or try a typical Italian restaurant in the city.

02:30 pm – 07:30 pm | (1) Travel to project to join local placement staff and begin work on your volunteer project or (2) Explore the city, relax or enroll in other activities if you have a morning project

08:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Dinner at the accommodation. After dinner, you will have the remainder of the evening free to relax and use as you wish.

Am I provided with insurance during my stay?

Your program fee includes civil liability insurance with limited coverage, that only covers accidents that may happen during your volunteering shift.

We highly recommend you to get full health, travel and accidents insurance in your home country!

Are children allowed to join this volunteer program?

Yes, children are also allowed to take part in this program, if they are accompanied by their parents or legal representative!

Can I change the dates of my volunteer placement with ImpacTrip?

Yes, that is generally possible! In most cases, we are quite flexible with making changes to your original booking period as per your wish, as we know how challenging it can be to plan such a big trip far in advance. However, please keep in mind that all of our programs are subject to availability, and therefore, we might not be able to accommodate last-minute changes anymore. Therefore, we recommend that you early on try to organize your plans concretely and get in touch with us as quickly as possible if alterations become necessary so that we are left with a higher chance of managing to change your reservation to cater your new situation!

Are the meals included in my volunteer program fee?

In all our destinations, the volunteer program fees include three (breakfast, lunch and dinner) home-made and delicious meals a day!

In Mafra (where the Wolf Conservation program is located), the volunteer program fees do not include meals, but you will have access to a fully-equipped kitchen to prepare your own meals at either location!

Find more detailed program and location-specific information in our program description and pricing details! And if you have any more specific questions or want to make any special requests, feel free to get in touch with us!

Do I have to pay money for volunteering?

You are not paying for your volunteer work itself but for your stay with us overall! The costs for your program further include various elements that are part of your stay here! Respective to your program, those elements can, for example, include your accommodation, food, transportation from and to the airport, insurance, guided tours, professional guides, supervisors or instructors, placement coordination and 24/7 support!

Please have a look at the pricing details of your program to find an accurate overview of all aspects included in each program and location. 

Do I need to book my stay well in advance?

No, not necessarily! Depending on the current availability of the program of your choice, we may even be able to accommodate your stay and participation for the upcoming week! However, both in our responsible travel experiences and our volunteer programs as well as regarding our available beds in the hostel, we do sometimes reach our full capacity and therefore recommend booking your stay with us as early as possible to secure your spot!  

Do I need to speak the local language?

No, you don't need to have any previous skills in the local language! All of our programs are run entirely in English and our guides and staff are all comfortable speaking English as well! But we always encourage our participants to get acquainted with some of the most basic terms and expressions, as even just a simple "Good morning!" in the local language can be a great icebreaker to start interacting with the locals! 

There are also language lessons available for volunteers. The language lessons can be booked before or on the arrival. Lessons are taught by a professional teacher and tailored to each volunteer’s current language level.

 

Can I volunteer along with a friend of family member of mine?

Yes, of course you can! We regularly receive little groups of friends or family that come to participate in our programs together. 

Does this program require a high level of physical fitness?

No! All activities within this program only require a medium or low level of physical fitness! 

How and when do I need to pay for my volunteer program with ImpacTrip?

You can pay us through Paypal or bank transfer. We will kindly ask you to pay 50% of your bill at the time of your booking to secure your spot! The other 50% will be due at least one month before your arrival! 

I have special dietary requirements! Will I find food options that cater my needs?

Yes, if you are vegetarian or have specific food intolerances, we will be able to adapt the food offered to meet your dietary needs. Please get in touch with us as early as possible so we can make all necessary arrangements! 

Shall I bring special clothes to participate in this volunteer program?

There is no mandatory dress code for taking part in this program, so we just recommend you to bring comfortable clothes adjusted to the time of the year!

What do I need to pack for my trip?

Are you already excited about your stay with us? We prepared a little list of essentials which can assist you with your packing:

  • Basics (toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner…)
  • Medication contact lenses, glasses
  • Clothes according to the local weather and the project you applied for
  • Plug adapters and power converters
  • Unlocked mobile phone – we will give you a Portuguese SIM card that you can charge according to your needs
  • Laptop, tablet or smartphone so you have access to Wi-Fi almost everywhere
  • Camera (if you want to capture all the unforgettable moments.)

What is ImpacTrip's Cancellation and Refund Policy?

Impactrip deposit fees are designed to be as affordable as possible to allow everyone to join our programs. Therefore, considering its limited capacity and the expectations of everyone involved, ImpacTrip is unable to provide a total refund policy.

Deposit Fee

The payment of the deposit fees confirms a volunteer’s acceptance onto one of ImpacTrip's volunteer programs. Deposit fees are not transferable to other people but may be transferable to another program.

The deposit fee is refundable until sixty days before the start date of the volunteer’s chosen program. Requests for deposit fee refunds must be made via an email to your ImpacTrip Booking Manager, clearly detailing the reasons for cancellation.

Cancellations are subject to the following policies:

  • The notice period is based on the earliest start date the volunteer has ever been registered for.
  • If a volunteer cancels sixty days or more before their earliest program start date, they can request a refund of the deposit fee, which will be provided minus the transaction costs of the refund. Alternatively, they may ask for a deposit fee credit to be held in their name for future use on any ImpacTrip program, subject to availability, for a period of twelve months from their earliest registered start date. This credit may be issued minus the value of any change fees the volunteer has incurred.
  • If a volunteer cancels between fifty-nine and thirty days before their program’s start date, no refund of the deposit fee is available. A deposit fee credit may be held in their name for a period of twelve months from their earliest registered start date, for future use on another ImpacTrip program, subject to program availability and at the discretion of the Impactrip Booking Manager.
  • If a volunteer cancels less than thirty days before their programs start date, no refund of any fees is available. A deposit fee credit may be held in their name for twelve months from their earliest registered start date, subject to availability, provided deposit fees have been paid in full by their due date.

Where a group of ten or more people is volunteering with ImpacTrip, the group leader must register ahead of other group members in order to secure the group’s dates and plans. Group members must then register no less than sixty days before the program starts. Group members who register less than sixty days before the program start date may be excluded from the program unless approved by ImpacTrip.

ImpacTrip reserves the right to revise its program fees at any time. All program fees revisions will be made via the ImpacTrip website. Program fee revisions are not applicable to volunteers who have already submitted their payment before the revisions are due to take effect. A volunteer’s placement on a program is not confirmed until the deposit fee has been paid in full and the availability has been confirmed by their ImpacTrip Booking Manager.

What is the accommodation like? Could I stay in a private room?

Your accommodation differs depending on the location and programs you decide for! What we can assure you is that we want to make your stay with us as comfortable as possible! In most cases, you will stay along with the other participants in dormitory-style rooms. Private rooms may be available at your accommodation as well for an extra cost.

Find more detailed program- and location-specific information in our experience description, itinerary and pricing details! And if you have any more specific questions or want to make any special requests, feel free to get in touch with us!

What is the minimum and maximum volunteer duration?

In general, you can choose any duration between a minimum of 1 week and a maximum of 12 weeks for your stay with us, depending on your personal plans and availability! 

The exception in Portugal is the Wolf Conservation program in Mafra, which is only available for a duration of either 2 weeks or 4 weeks.

Exceptions is Barcelona and Split are the Special Needs Support and Youth Support programs that have a minimum duration of 2 weeks. And the Teaching program that have a minimum duration of 3 weeks in Split and 4 weeks in Barcelona.

The Marine Conservation program in every location  is available for any period between a minimum of 1 week and a maximum of 4 weeks.

When are the Introduction Days of Impactrip's volunteer programs? 

We welcome new volunteers twice a month every month of the year. Your arrival date should be the Sunday before an Introduction Day!

  • We have Introduction Days on the first and third Monday of the month in Portugal, Croatia and Italy.
  • We have Introduction Days on the second and fourth Monday of the month in Spain.

 

Please be aware that:

  • the Marine Conservation program in Portugal is only available between March and October and in Split between May and November every year.
  • the Wolf Conservation program in Mafra, Portugal is only available between February and November every year and has specific arrival dates.

 

Take a look at the experience description of the program of your choice to find some more detailed information. Also, please keep in mind that all of our programs are always subject to availability as the number of spots is limited! 

When can I start my volunteer period?

We welcome new volunteers twice a month every month of the year. Your arrival date should be the Sunday before an Introduction Day!

  • We have Introduction Days on the first and third Monday of the month in Portugal and Croatia.
  • We have Introduction Days on the second and forth Monday of the month in Spain.

 

Please be aware that:

  • the Marine Conservation program in every destination is only available between March and October every year.
  • the Wolf Conservation program in Mafra, Portugal is only available between February and November every year and have specific arrival dates.

 

Take a look at the experience description of the program of your choice to find some more detailed information. Also, please keep in mind that all of our programs are always subject to availability as the number of spots is limited! 

When should I go ahead and book my flights?

We highly recommend you to wait and do not book your flights until you have received our official booking email confirming your stay with us! Once your booking is confirmed, it is in most cases advisable to get your tickets early to catch the cheapest fares! 

Will I be able to enjoy the experience even though I do not speak a word in the local language?

Yes, of course! All of our programs are held entirely in English! 

And... you can book language classes with us before or on arrival.

Will I have time for some sight-seeing as well?

Of course! We want you to really get to know your natural and cultural surroundings and will provide you with useful tips and tricks that will help you discover the location of your stay like a local!

Your shifts will generally last between 3 and 5 hours per day and will take place either in the morning, in the afternoon or in the evening, which will leave you with plenty of free time to go explore, take a stroll around your surroundings, catch the most important sites, interact with the locals or simply go and relax! And of course, you will have your weekends off as well!