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Phnom Penh Clinic & Community Outreach

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Price Cambodia 4 weeks+
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Phnom Penh Clinic & Community Outreach

Cambodia

This program aims to create sustainable animal welfare in Cambodia by tackling overpopulation (spays & neuters), teaching local communities and schools about animal welfare (education), and improving the quality of veterinary care (training). The program is operated by a local limited admission, low kill animal welfare organization with the vision that all cats and dogs in Cambodia live in accordance with the five international animal welfare needs: protection from pain, natural behavior, adequate companionship, a healthy diet and suitable environment.  Spay/Neuter surgeries and training will be tailored to students’ previous experience and current comfort level to optimize learning opportunities and animal safety. Our goal is to create sustainable animal welfare for Cambodian cats and dogs. To achieve our mission, we focus on 4 key pillars:

  • Humane animal overpopulation control, increased animal health, care & refuge for animals in need

  • Inspiring human behavior-change & emergency response assistance

  • Improving the quality of veterinary care

  • Supporting the implementation of animal welfare legislation

    Cost

    4-week session: $1200 USD

    Additional weeks: $300 USD/week

4 weeks+
18+ Age
Animal Lovers
Cambodia
Pre-Vet Students
Small Animal
Surgical Experience
Vet Students
Vet Techs/Nurses
Vets
Volunteer
  • Destination
    Phnom Penh, Cambodia
  • Departure
    Every Saturday
  • Departure Time
    Small Animal
  • Return Time
    Animal Lovers | Pre-Vet Students | Vet Students | Vet Techs & Nurses | Vets
  • Dress Code
    Training is provided for all activities. The program fee helps to support the non-profit clinic as well as volunteer activities, transportation and accommodation. Limited to 2 volunteers per session.
  • Included
    Accommodation
    Airport Transfers
    Laundry Facilities
    On-Site Support
    Pre-Departure Support
    Wi-fi
  • Not Included
    Flights
    Free-time Activities
    Meals
    Travel Insurance
    Visa Fees (if applicable)

From Our Gallery

Help animals and explore the rich culture of Cambodia!

Tackle over-population while gaining surgical experience and improving animal welfare in this small pet-loving community.

1
Monday
8am-9am: Feeding, Medicating shelter/clinic animals
9am-12pm: Health Checks/Treatments
12-2pm: Lunch
2-5pm: Health Checks/Treatments
5-6pm: Feeding, Medicating shelter/clinic animals
2
Tuesday-Friday
8-9am: Feeding, Medicating shelter/clinic animals 9am-1pm: Spay/Neuter surgeries (5-7 animals) 1-3pm: Lunch 3-5pm: Health Check-ups/Treatments, Record Keeping, Next-Day preparation
5-6pm: Feeding, Medicating shelter/clinic animals
3
Saturday-Sunday
Free time!
Activities may vary based on the needs of the community, including spay drives, emergency calls, and Khmer holidays.

Tour Location

Included accommodations are at a home-stay with a local family within a 5 minute walk to the center with a private bedroom and bath.  Kitchen and common areas are shared. There is an option to upgrade to an Airbnb/hotel for an additional $15 USD / night with a 15-20 minutes tuktuk-ride to the center. Bedding (pillows, sheets and blankets), A/C, wi-fi, and TV are included. Laundry facilities are available at the rescue center. Food is not included in the program fee but volunteers can opt into a vegetarian/vegan lunch which is delivered to the center Monday to Friday for $30 USD per week. The staff are happy to help you find local groceries & eateries for breakfasts, dinners and weekend meals (the cost of food in this area is roughly $10 USD per day).
   

Comments:

  • Caroline F.

    January 28, 2020 at 11:29 pm

    I wanted to gain some experience working in an NGO with a mission that I am passionate about, and to learn about running an organisation. I have had the opportunity to help out with everything related to fundraising and communications and every day I do something different which keeps things interesting. The team have been incredibly helpful and approachable and I have really loved coming into the office, especially when you can take a break and play with friendly dogs and cute kittens! I definitely feel like I have gained an unforgettable experience and I feel that I am helping to make a difference in the lives of rescued animals.

  • Lauren M.

    January 28, 2020 at 11:28 pm

    [This program] has the right idea when it comes to animal welfare – the only thing that will make a difference to the overpopulation problem is consistent neutering schemes based in-country… the founder achieves this seamlessly by building working relationships with the Buddhist pagodas and surrounding local people in order to allow them to understand the benefits of neutering. One of the few NGOs who really understand the situation in Cambodia and are actually making a significant difference!

  • Shaldon B.

    January 28, 2020 at 11:27 pm

    Being a volunteer… is an experience I wouldn’t trade for the world. Every day there is something different and new. One day I might be helping a cat learn to walk again, another might be spent snuggling a litter of kittens. You never know what new or exciting project will arise during your time here. And what’s more, you are able to see the change you’ve made. You can see the difference in the faces of the animals you’ve helped and also the people who know and respect the Mission. I’m so thrilled I’ve had the opportunity to get to know the staff, the animals, and the friendly people of Cambodia.

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Animal/Vet Activities:

We strive to provide best practice Shelter Medicine standards as outlined in the ASV Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters. We are excited to offer practical High Quality, High Volume Spay/Neuter training to students of all levels. Pre-vet and less experienced veterinary students commonly support our vet team by preparing animals for surgery, observing procedures and providing care during recovery. More experienced veterinary students will join the veterinarians during spay/neuter and - at the veterinarian's discretion - may perform partial or full surgeries under close supervision of a well-trained veterinarian. Our veterinary team consists of well-trained Cambodian veterinarians and assistants, supervised by a German MSc Shelter Medicine expert and supported by a British veterinarian on a needs basis. 
Animal Care Volunteers:
  • Feeding
  • Cleaning
  • Nursing puppies/kittens
  • Providing physical therapy
  • Giving basic medication
  • Clipping nails
  • Socializing
  • General love & cuddles
Vet Interns (Pre-vet students, Vet Students, Vet Techs/Nurses):
  • Assist vet with daily procedures
  • Manage pre & post-op care
  • Monitor vitals & anesthesia during surgery
  • Perform spay/neuter operations* (vet students only, at the vet’s discretion & under supervision)
  • Administer oral/SC/IM/IV medication
  • Other jobs at the vet’s discretion (e.g. vaccinations, blood draws, diagnostics)
Animal welfare is the most important factor to consider when allowing students to perform surgery, therefore, we cannot guarantee surgical experience in any session on any program, because welfare must be assessed in each case. The estimated number of student surgeries per week is based on past volunteer experiences, however, animal welfare conditions, student experience & confidence, weather, national holidays, and other variables may affect the availability of student surgeries.
Vets:
  • Treat sick & injured animals
  • Spay/neuter operations on street animals (TNR)
  • Mentor volunteers & trainees
All (optional):
  • Community Outreach (visit Buddhist temples and other local communities for vaccination days, on-site treatments, and animal welfare education),
  • Research projects (congenital abnormalities in Cambodian cats, TVT, FIV, etc.)
Typical Weekly Experience Hours: 
  • Animal Experience: 30-40
  • Vet Experience: 30-40
  • Clinical Experience: 20-30
  • Surgical Experience: 5-10

Free-Time Activities:

Free Time: volunteers have up to 2 days off to explore Phnom Penh. Local activities include:
  • Central Market
  • Royal Palace
  • Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
  • Silver Pagoda
  • Wat Phnom
  • Mekong River
  • Many local events with live music
Phnom Penh is full of culture with markets and food stalls alongside western bars and restaurants. The city is centrally located, so volunteers can travel almost anywhere in the country on their days off, including Siem Reap to see Angkor Wat (a temple complex and one of the largest religious monuments in the world) or Sihahouk Vill and Kampot for the beaches.
                         Explore Cambodia - Global Vet Experience        

Please submit an application for this program below. Our team will contact you with more information within 72 hours- if you don’t hear from us, please check your spam folder!

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