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IVHQ Animal Care Program in Antigua, Guatemala
Join the Animal Care program in Guatemala with International Volunteer HQ and help support animal welfare while experiencing the beauty and culture of Central America. Volunteers assist at shelters and rescue centers caring for dogs, cats and other animals in need. Tasks include feeding, cleaning, basic care, socialization and enrichment to help animals regain health and confidence in safe, supportive environments. This placement suits animal lovers, gap year travellers or anyone interested in hands on volunteer work with pets or rescue animals. Your hosted experience includes airport pick up, orientation, accommodation in a volunteer house or shared lodging depending on placement, two meals per day and 24/7 support from the local team. Programs provide pre departure guidance and access to training tools to help you prepare. Programs begin regularly and offer flexible durations to suit different schedules. Volunteers become part of an international community and have time outside their placement to explore Guatemala’s culture, colourful cities, vibrant communities and stunning landscapes while contributing meaningfully to animal welfare.
Join the Animal Care program in Guatemala with International Volunteer HQ and help support animal welfare while experiencing the beauty and culture of Central America. Volunteers assist at shelters and rescue centers caring for dogs, cats and other animals in need. Tasks include feeding, cleaning, basic care, socialization and enrichment to help animals regain health and confidence in safe, supportive environments. This placement suits animal lovers, gap year travellers or anyone interested in hands on volunteer work with pets or rescue animals. Your hosted experience includes airport pick up, orientation, accommodation in a volunteer house or shared lodging depending on placement, two meals per day and 24/7 support from the local team. Programs provide pre departure guidance and access to training tools to help you prepare. Programs begin regularly and offer flexible durations to suit different schedules. Volunteers become part of an international community and have time outside their placement to explore Guatemala’s culture, colourful cities, vibrant communities and stunning landscapes while contributing meaningfully to animal welfare.
Program Highlights
Programs start every Monday.
Duration from 1 to 24 weeks.
Includes airport pick-up, orientation, accommodation in a homestay or volunteer house, breakfast and dinner, plus 24/7 in-country support.
Volunteer around four hours per day helping in shelters, veterinary clinics, or exotic-animal rehabilitation centres around Antigua assisting with domestic animals and other reptiles/wildlife.
Tasks may include cleaning cages, bathing and grooming animals, feeding and walking animals, assisting with veterinary care, or helping with socialisation and obedience training.
Media Gallery
Quick Details
- Antigua, Guatemala
- 1-2 Weeks
- 2-4 Weeks
- 5-8 Weeks
- 3-6 Months
- 9-12 Weeks
- Animal Welfare
- Veterinary Science
- Volunteering
- South African
- Asian
- Kiwi
- All Nationalities
- American
- European
- Canadian
- Australian
Awards
Program Reviews
Hear what past participants have to say about the programs
Overall Rating
Total Reviews
Volunteering at a Dog Shelter
August 19, 2026by: Stuart Pester - United KingdomThis was a memorable and worthy experience. Staying with a local family, getting a taste of how a Guatemalan family live and the type of food they eat. Working at the dog shelter was a very rewarding experience and fun especially with the puppies. It’s hard not to fall in love with the dogs. Definitely will be doing this again.
Animal Care - Guatemala
December 28, 2014by: sgillerbrun - KelownaThe animal care project in Antigua, Guatemala was fantastic. I volunteered with Maximo Nivel through IVHQ. Both companies were supportive in integrating myself to Guatemala. All the staff I worked with were extremely helpful and improved my experience. I stayed in a volunteer house with 10-20 other volunteers. Everyone I met was amazing. We were in shared rooms with usually 2-3 other volunteers and provided with 3 meals per day. Unidos Para Los Animales is an amazing organization run by very dedicated staff. It is a slice of heaven located about 20 minutes from Antigua. The dogs are all treated well and there is an emphasis on training dogs to find future homes, rather than just taking in as many dogs as possible and never finding them forever homes. It is very obvious the owners and staff work hard and it shows! Linda also tried to make our experience even more fulfilling by teaching us a lot about dogs and training as well as taking us to the finca and giving us an impromtu coffee tour. I feel very privileged to have been connected with this organization. My experience could not have been better.
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts on our Animal Care and Animal Rights project in Guatemala. It’s great to hear you had such a fantastic volunteering abroad experience and we hope to have you volunteer with IVHQ again in the future.
Program Details
Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know
Locations
- Antigua, Guatemala
Types and Subjects
- Causes
- Animal Welfare
- Veterinary Science
- Types
- Volunteering
Availability
Years Offered: Year Round
- 1-2 Weeks
- 2-4 Weeks
- 5-8 Weeks
- 3-6 Months
- 9-12 Weeks
- After College
- Career Break / Mid-Career
- During College
- During High School
- Post High School
Age Requirement
18+
Guidelines
All Nationalities
This Program is also open to Solo, Couples, Families, Group
Program Cost Includes
- Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
- All Program Activity Costs
- Wifi Costs
- Weekday Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- Weekend Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- Airport Transfer (Pick-Up)
- On-Site / In-Country Staff Support
- Certificate of Completion
Accommodation Options
- Dormitory
- Group living
- Home-stays
Qualifications & Experience
- Any/All Education Levels Accepted
Accepted Education Levels
Application Procedures
- Online Application
Frequently Asked Questions
What tasks will I do in the Animal Care program in Guatemala?
In Guatemala you will support shelters, a veterinary clinic and an exotic animal rehabilitation centre caring for dogs, cats, turtles, snakes and lizards.
* Work in a dog and cat shelter, vet clinic or exotic animal centre.
* Assist with socialising animals and veterinary care.
* Help with feeding, grooming and habitat maintenance.
Where is the IVHQ Animal Care project in Guatemala located?
The Animal Care project with IVHQ in Guatemala is based in Antigua and surrounding rural areas.
* Placements located in Antigua.
* Surrounding rural locations also included.
* Volunteers live in homestays or dormitory-style housing.
What are the start dates and duration options for IVHQ Animal Care?
Programs for the Animal Care project in Guatemala start every Monday and you can volunteer from one to twenty-four weeks.
* Start dates every Monday.
* Duration options from 1-24 weeks.
* Volunteer hours typically around 4 per day.
What are the eligibility requirements for the Animal Care program?
Volunteers must be aged 16 or older and may need to provide a background check or character references depending on age for the Animal Care project in Guatemala.
* Volunteers aged 16+ accepted.
* Over 18 must provide a criminal background check.
* English language proficiency required.
What accommodation and support does IVHQ provide for the program?
The Animal Care program in Guatemala includes either homestay or dormitory-style accommodation in Antigua, plus orientation and 24/7 in-country support.
* Accommodation via homestay or dormitory-style house.
* Includes orientation for arrival.
* 24/7 local support available for volunteers.
Ready to Learn More?
Join the Animal Care program in Guatemala with International Volunteer HQ and help support animal welfare while experiencing the beauty and culture of Central America. Volunteers assist at shelters and rescue centers caring for dogs, cats and other animals in need. Tasks include feeding, cleaning, basic care, socialization and enrichment to help animals regain health and confidence in safe, supportive environments. This placement suits animal lovers, gap year travellers or anyone interested in hands on volunteer work with pets or rescue animals. Your hosted experience includes airport pick up, orientation, accommodation in a volunteer house or shared lodging depending on placement, two meals per day and 24/7 support from the local team. Programs provide pre departure guidance and access t...
![International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.goabroad.com%2Fimage%2Fupload%2Fc_pad%2Cf_auto%2Cw_80%2Ch_80%2Fv1%2Fimages2%2Fclients%2Flogos%2FMAIN%2Fb7aQwxqKkTQs1TCbQKDnmQAVGPjGCilE6Nj4ktx5.jpg&w=128&q=75)
International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]
International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]
Ready to Learn More?
Join the Animal Care program in Guatemala with International Volunteer HQ and help support animal welfare while experiencing the beauty and culture of Central America. Volunteers assist at shelters and rescue centers caring for dogs, cats and other animals in need. Tasks include feeding, cleaning, basic care, socialization and enrichment to help animals regain health and confidence in safe, supportive environments. This placement suits animal lovers, gap year travellers or anyone interested in hands on volunteer work with pets or rescue animals. Your hosted experience includes airport pick up, orientation, accommodation in a volunteer house or shared lodging depending on placement, two meals per day and 24/7 support from the local team. Programs provide pre departure guidance and access t...
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