Animal Shelter Care in Palawan, Philippines

This program is for all animal lovers, particually dog lovers! Who don’t mind getting their hands dirty and stuck in to a variety of tasks!

• Accommodation
• 3 meals p/day weekdays / 2 meals p/day weekends
• Arrival airport transfer (Sat/Sun arrivals)
• Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea
• 1 day orientation
• Daily transportation to project
• In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
• Fundraising support
• University course credits (where applicable)
• Certificate of Completion

• Airfares
• Travel Insurance
• Tours, Souvenirs & spending money

Your first day will consist of comprehensive overview of the program including what to expect, health and safety, introduction to Filipino culture and introduction to staff and fellow volunteers. A guided city tour is also included for Tacloban placements.

Programs begin every Monday, and volunteers are required to arrive the day prior, for orientation before the project. Your accommodation on the Sunday is included in the program fees.

A free airport pickup is included when arriving to Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS). You must arrive between 10:00 – 17:00 on Sunday.

If arriving outside the pickup times on Sunday, you can book a private transfer for US$50.

If arriving during the week, or on Saturday, we charge US$50 for any extra night’s accommodation before your program, and another US$50 fee for a private transfer.

Alternatively, if arriving early you could wait at the arrival’s terminal for the pickup time, book accommodation at the airport and meet us during the pickup times or make your own way to the project (we will advise on how to do this).

From the airport the accommodation, it takes 1.5 hours by road.

Monday (First Week only)

• Breakfast
• Introduction Session: House rules, expectations, health & safety guidelines, and document processing.
• Cultural Orientation: Filipino customs, dress codes, and basic language lessons.
• Local Exploration: A guided tour of the town center and nearby areas (SIM card arrangements if needed).
• Lunch
• Project Briefing: Meetings, observations, and preparation with local program coordinators.
• Dinner & Cultural Night

Tuesday to Friday

• Morning: After breakfast, travel (approx. 30 minutes) to the animal sanctuary.
• Activities: Feed animals, prepare meals, clean enclosures, check on and wash animals, conduct medical check-ups, walk and play with the animals, renovate shelter facilities, and assist in rescue operations.
• Lunch: Enjoy a packed meal at the shelter and take a two-hour break from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM.
• Afternoon: Continue work at the sanctuary until 4:00 PM.
• This program is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on the well-being of rescued animals while experiencing the breathtaking beauty and cultural richness of Palawan.

***This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.***

Beaches of Boracay

This small island is known for its outstanding natural beauty, and pristine white sand beaches. White beach stretches for 4km and is a popular place to visit. There are plenty of cafes and nightlife, including fire throwers and live music at the bars.

Bohol Chocolate Hills

Take a visit to Bohol island, around an hour from Cebu, and check out the 1200 hills of all shapes and sizes. This stunning natural formation is quite a sight. You can hike or take an ATV ride up the hills.

Diving

The Philippines have many amazing dive spots, and some of the most pristine water in the world! With plenty of fish, coral reef and even whale sharks, this is a divers heaven. You can even learn to dive here.

Twin Lagoon on Coron Island

You may have seen images of this spectacular beauty spot online- and it doesn’t disappoint! As well as some incredible diving, you can also explore some stunning viewpoints, secluded beaches, or go on a boat tour around these turquoise blue waters.  

Ziplining

For those who love adventurous activities, why not try ziplining?! Check out the stunning one on El Nido, with beautiful views over the beach. It’s 750 metres and will give you that adrenaline kick for sure.

Kayaking

There are plenty of gorgeous places to kayak in the Philippines, and it’s secret lagoons are some of the best spots. Paddle your way through the stunning rock formations and crystal-clear waters.

Vigan Town

This very pretty town has a Hispanic heritage that is evident as you walk through the artsy cobbled streets. Vigan town is on the island of Luzon and is a great weekend trip, with museums, cafes, workshops and quirky sights. For photographers, you can get some pretty shots at dawn, when the town is empty.

Underground River, Palawan

Puerto Princesa is a beautiful river that goes underground, through impressive limestone caves. Book a boat tour to take you through the caves.

Manila

The capital city, Manila is a hustling and bustling place, with plenty of culture. Be sure to check out the museums, art galleries, old buildings, cafes and bars.

Additional Requirements

The following are further necessary for the participants, local staff and everyone is involved to have a meaningful, enjoyable and safe community program.

• Older participants or over 65 years are required to have a medical clearance as proof of their physical fitness as they may perform various activities.
• Participants below 18 years old need a signed parental consent as proof of involvement of their children in the program. If possible, accompaniment by an adult is highly advised.

• Excellent time management and self-organizing and a strong desire to take on new challenges and learn as much as possible.
• You are advised to purchase medical and travel insurance before your arrival.

• Ensure that you have had all the necessary vaccinations before participating in the project.

Additional Equipment

Personal belongings such as:

• An environmentally friendly sunscreen or lotion is also advised to protect you from the heat of the sun and please carry with you preventive agents during outdoor activities, such as mosquito repellents for insect bites or other insects that may irritate your skin.
• Moreover, bring Medicines with you especially if you have to take specific medicines regularly as well as other medicines for headaches and stomach aches.
• Refillable water bottles and hydration packs to stay hydrated throughout the day particularly during the placement.

Dress Code:

To ensure the safety and comfort of participants while working at the animal sanctuary, please adhere to the following dress code guidelines:

Comfortable and Protective Clothing

• Wear lightweight, breathable clothing suitable for tropical weather.
• Long-sleeved shirts and long pants are recommended to protect against sun exposure, insect bites, and scratches from animals.
• Avoid loose or flowing clothing that may get caught on objects or while handling animals.

Sturdy Footwear

• Closed-toe shoes or boots are required to protect your feet while working in the shelter. Avoid sandals or flip-flops as they do not provide sufficient protection.

Hygiene and Safety

• Wear gloves (provided) when handling animals, cleaning cages, or administering medical care.
• Ensure clothes are clean and changed daily, as hygiene is essential when working around animals to prevent the spread of germs.

Sun and Weather Protection

• A hat and sunglasses are recommended for sun protection during outdoor tasks.
• Bring a light rain jacket or poncho during the rainy season to stay dry while working outside.

Respectful and Professional Appearance

• Maintain a tidy and modest appearance while working at the sanctuary, showing respect to the local culture and the environment.

By following these dress code guidelines, you’ll ensure a safe, comfortable, and productive experience while participating in the Palawan Animal Care Program.

For information on holidays and any programs affected, please see the following link: PH – Holidays – All Programs

The Philippines consists of more than 7000 islands and is a land apart from the mainland of Southeast Asia. The people are, simply, Filipinos – and proud of it. Welcoming, warm and relentlessly upbeat, it is they who captivate and ultimately ensnare visitors.

Islands are jungle-clad, mountainous and flanked by aquamarine waters and a world renowned coral reef. But you’ll find plenty of variations on this theme, from marooned slicks of sand in the middle of the ocean to sprawling, overpopulated mega-islands like Luzon and Mindanao.

About half of the Philippines’ 88 million people live in rural areas. Poverty is most severe and most widespread in these areas and almost 80 per cent of the country’s poor people live there. Agriculture is the primary and often only source of income for poor rural people.

Overall, more than a third of the people in the Philippines live in poverty. There are substantial differences in the level of poverty between the regions and provinces and the poverty gap between urban and rural areas is widening.

November to April is the most popular time to visit the Philippines, as this is when there is the least rainfall. 

June to October is wet season and November to May is usally dry. Shoulder months can be a great time to travel as you can still get some good weather but there are less crowds.  The island weather can vary, so it’s worth checking the weather for which islands you will be visiting at which time of year. 

The Philppines has a big Latin and Spanish influence, due to the previous Spanish rule. Evidence of this can be seen throughout the Philippines. The Filipino people are very welcoming, like to have close family bonds, and getting together with friends and family to eat, sing and dance. They are also very religious and most go to church at least every Sunday. 

Filipino people have a great respect for thier elders, saying the phrases ‘po’ and ‘opo’, when speaking with thier elders. They love a good party and festival, particually Christmas which they can celebrate right into the second week of January!

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