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GYC1249 - Dog and cat care on islands Country: Thailand Cost: £395.00 Please note: Accommodation is included for the first month only Cost Includes: The price includes accommodation and pickup from airport but does not include flight, insurance, food, kit or visas    Duration: 2 months Company Rep Nearby: All 0845 344 7535 or

 

	This placement would suit... you if you love dogs and cats and want to make a practical difference to these animals, while living on the beautiful island of Koh Phangan... Please contact us to find out more and we can direct you to our website which has all the details or give you a call to tell you all about it. Introduction You will work as a volunteer at a nursing clinic and animal care centre on Koh Phangan in Southern Thailand, helping to care for the dogs and cats (and a few other animals!) while living an amazing lifestyle on this beautiful tropical island. About the Centre and the animals Until the founding of the Centre, there was no veterinary care or advice on the island, no vaccination, and no population control measures except for yearly poisoning. The result of this was a life of pain and misery for many animals. Sick animals suffered a prolonged and often excruciating death, while uncontrolled breeding resulted in overpopulation, causing aggression (to humans as well as dogs) and rapid disease transmission - the most serious being rabies, and the most obvious being skin infestations. The Centre was founded in 2001 as a non-profit nursing clinic. Although it is the sole provider of veterinary care for the animals of Koh Phangan, no animal has been denied treatment since the opening of the clinic. The Centre's mission is to: Implement a vaccination programme to control rabies Encourage and perform sterilisation of breeding females Improve the quality of life of a multitude of stray animals Provide emergency relief and nursing care for all major illnesses and injuries. The Centre deals primarily with dogs and cats, but it also treats any animal in need. This can be anything from a turtle to a buffalo! A typical week So what will you be doing every week? You will work with the team at the Centre which includes a British practice manager and two veterinary nurses. The Centre takes 1-2 volunteers at a time and you will either work 5 half days (mornings) or 3 full days + 1 half day, depending on the number of volunteers. There is an opportunity to get involved in a variety of work including the daily running of the Centre, cleaning, feeding and washing animals, walking the dogs, and assisting with animal treatment. Lifestyle You will live in a Thai bungalow by the beach and within easy reach of the Centre. When not working, you will be free to explore the island or, if you fancy a change, take a ferry over to one of the other islands. As well as stunning beaches, there is great snorkelling and diving, and jungle, waterfalls and temples to explore inland. There is also a lively social scene with many bars and restaurants spread around the island. What's included A comprehensive information pack Being met on arrival and introduced to the area and the Centre Animal training and supervision Accommodation for the first month (your own beach bungalow with en-suite bathroom) Ongoing support, help and advice from our local team Travel advice and assistance. A donation to the centre The benefit and requirements By volunteering at the Centre you will make a major contribution to the welfare of dogs, cats and other animals on Koh Phangan. On a personal level you will have the satisfaction of helping to make a positive difference to the lives of these animals and, in the process, gain new skills and knowledge, working with a young and enthusiastic team. No specific skills are required other than enthusiasm and a strong stomach! Dates and duration This placement lasts for 2-3 months. Placements can start on any date throughout the year. Our users say: "Fabulous island to be living on, friendly population and good diversity of things to do. Liberty bungalow basic but with an atmosphere that was hard to find anywhere else on the island. Excellent food and excellent hostess. The Centre and animal care work: Brilliant! Loved every minute. If you love animals, dogs especially, and want to work in an environment where you can be with them all day - this is the place to be. Staff were so friendly and knowledgeable. I went to Koh Phangan on my own and found I had a ready made social life when I got there! I didn't know what to expect but was really impressed with the dedication for Por and Shevaun and how easy it was to fit in. They do an incredible job in difficult circumstances. As a first time traveller I really appreciated being met on Samui and looked after until I started work. The info pack was also very welcome. I have been sharing my experience with friends and have indeed passed on PoD details. My enthusiastic stories of where I have been, seen and done have prompted people to consider doing something similar. THIS IS THE BEST THING I EVER DONE!!" - Tina "Fantastic, lots of support and help throughout. The packs were full of helpful hints and tips. Koh Phangan is beautiful not as touristy as Koh Samui and the people are wonderful. They work really hard and that shows with the small town constantly buzzing! The bungalows were basic clean and comfortable. The resort was amazing, the food fantastic. I miss them all terribly. They do amazing work with what they have at the centre and I admire all who work there full time. It’s small but practical. They do a fantastic job. Everyone and PoD have been wonderful." - Shelley 0845 344 7535 POD - Personal Overseas Development: PoD provides the opportunity for people to volunteer and make a difference overseas, while experiencing incredible parts of the world that are rich in culture, variety and natural beauty. We also arrange placements and courses for people wanting to develop their skills in amazing locations. Great value 1 week to 3 month placements in Cambodia, Belize, Malawi, Nepal, Peru, Tanzania and Thailand. PoD is a small non-profit organisation that focuses on quality and safety rather than quantity.