Involvement Volunteers International WHY we need you in Fiji
- Approx 34% of the population in Fiji live below the poverty line
- Rates for education and literacy are low, making it hard for many local people to find skilled work
- Lack of adamant nutrition is prominant in Fiji, increased by the cheap imported food available, leading to obesity problems, as well as problems such as type 2 diabetes & micronutrient deficiencies
- Malutrition is also seen in Fiji, particually with the under 5's, showing signs such as stunted growth and wasting (loosing muscle mass)
HOW can you help?
- Help out at local animals shelters, who are in need of caring animal lovers to assist with the maintenance and care of unwanted animals
- Get involved with community education, outreach and adoption services
- Help care for the animals, and depending on experience, assist with procedures
- Work on an outreach program, explaining to the community on animal wealfare and how best to look after their pets
WHAT can you do?
- Get involved in feeding, training, exercise, bathing, grooming and loving the animals, so they are ready for adoption
- Help with procedures and operations (dependant on experience)
- Assist with giving medicines and vaccinations
- Teach young people skills in animal care
Why Involvement Volunteers International?
- Non Profit Org & Charity with 30+ Years Experience
- 16 Projects to Choose From in Fiji
- Social Experiences - Sharing with International Volunteers
- Excellent Safety Record, In-Country 24/7 Support & Emergency Assistance
- 1 Application Fee - Multiple Countries
PROJECT NAME: ANIMAL SHELTER
LOCATION: NADI & LAUTOKA
START DATES: WEEKLY (SAT/SUN ARRIVALS)
ACCOMMODATION: HOMESTAY
MIN DURATION: ONE WEEK
MIN AGE: 18+
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: N/A
Overview
The Animal Care Project in Fiji serves the purpose of caring for unwanted animals and helping to educate the local people about the importance of a animal care awareness including spay and neutering. You may be a pre-university student considering a career in veterinary medicine, an undergraduate, a qualified vet or animal lover. What ever your skill level we have opportunities for you to get your hands dirty!
Volunteers work at various animal shelters in around the Nadi / Lautoka area. The veterinary doctors who work in the clinics will be able to share their knowledge and experience with you. You will gain valuable general and specialist animal experience sure to boost your resume in a highly competitive field.
When you volunteer with animals, you’ll assist with the general running of animal centres. Feeding, training, exercise, bathing, grooming, and loving the animals will be your main tasks, however volunteers with specialist skills can get involved in procedures and operations. There is always a need for administrative assistance in the office as well as marketing and advertising support campaigning and educational materials. In conclusion, you will see first hand how the running of a animal shelter works.
Location
Nadi is the main tourist hub with lots of back-packers places and night life. It’s also well known for for Denerau Marina where many large 5 star resorts are and western style shopping. Denerau is the gateway to the Fiji islands, which is the most popular choice for most holiday goers’ to Fiji. We’ll likely take you here and show you around as part of the orientation or if you’re heading out to the remote island teaching placement.
Lautoka, located 20 min north of Nadi, is a lovely and safe working class harbour city with many areas to explore (eg. hiking trails, mud pools etc). You will be spending time in the working class areas where the genuine needs exist.
Project Tasks
Daily Tasks include the following below
- Cleaning out Kennels
- Feeding Animals
- Vaccinations
- Operations and inspections
- De-sexing education
- Cuddling and caring for the animals
- Applying ointment and oral medications
- Adoptive services
- Phone & administration
Periodic Tasks may include the following below (only sometimes required)
- Sanitation projects
- Helping to run a pet fair
- Training local people
- To teach young people skills in animal care. (When required)
- Work on the development of material on pet care and the marketing of pet care for example, developing (When required)
- School visit packages (including posters and talks) you will find entertaining and interesting.
Food & Accommodation
Enjoy living like a Fiji local. You’ll have your own single or twin share room within private, clean and safe western style homes. You will have a place to store your personal belongings, a private bathroom and toilet (where possible – not all placements include this), a fan and single mattress or double/queen if sharing with your partner. Some home stays have self contained flats separate from the main residence. You can choose this option if desired. Internet is usually not included with most volunteers purchasing a temporary 3G plan for their own device.
Meals are included and served at the host family for breakfast and dinner with lunch on site. A typical day may consist of (subject to variation):
Breakfast – cereal, bread, butter etc, tea, coffee, milo. Volunteers can make their own eggs should they wish.
Lunch – Volunteers to prepare their own sandwich. Tuna, cold meat, salad, eggs. Some prefer to take left over dinner from the night before for lunch.
Dinner – Cooked meal (eg. stews, soups, curries, fish, roast vegetables, taro, sweet potato, bread, rice etc.
Nadi/Lautoka
Area
*Remote Island Teaching
*Remote Island Construction
- Woman & Children’s Commune
- Orphanage Childcare
- Special Needs School
- Animal Shelter
- Disaster Mngt & First Aid
- Koroipita Construction
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1 Week - $395
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2 Weeks - $555
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3 Weeks - $715
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1 Month - $895
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2 Months - $1545
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3 Months - $2195
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Meals
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Airport Pickup
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Local Transportation
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1 Day Orientation
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24/7 In-Country Support
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Project Materials & Equipment
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Pre-departure Expert Advice
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Preperation Tools & Checklists
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Certificate of Completion
- Application fee is one off per person (unlimited placements)
- Click Here to convert the below prices to your local currency
- Discounts may apply if travelling in a pair or group!
- All credit card /international fees included in below pricing! 🙂
Testimonials...
FAQ
Anyone with an interest in animals can assist. Most of all, volunteers with vet nursing qualification experience are especially welcome.
- Return airport pickup/drop off
- Accommodation (Home Stays – Sharing with other volunteers)
- 2 meals p/day (Breakfast & Dinner)
- Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea daily
- Full day orientation & training + cultural sightseeing
- In country 24/7 coordination & emergency assistance
- Fundraising support
- University course credits (where applicable)
- Certificate of Completion
- Airfares
- Travel Insurance
- Tours, Souvenirs & spending money
The Home Stay placements involve a simple and effective orientation which includes a tour of the local area and an overview of the project including any necessary permits, paperwork and logistics. In most cases you will have 1 to 2 days to ease your way into the culture and settle into your new surrounds before commencing in your designated program.
For home stay placements, arrival and departure airport transfers are included in the cost of your volunteer program for a pick-up from Nadi to the Nadi / Lautoka areas.
The distance from the Host Family to the Animal Shelter is 20km. There is no direct bus Service from the Host Family to the Animal Shelter so there are a few options to get and from the Animal Shelter;
1. Option 1 includes walking and catching the Bus which can take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes one way and will cost around $FJD4 one way.
2. Option 2 is a combination of taxi and Bus which will cost you around FJD$15 one way and will take approximately 1 hour one way.
3. Option 3 is door to door taxi service which will cost you FJD$30 one way and will take approximately 30 Minutes.
Each day could be different as there are many different projects you can get involed in. Most likely you will be helping around the centre, feeding, cleaning and assisting with general duties. Any help is appreciated and welcome.
Weekends are always free for relaxing or sightseeing of your choice. Our ground operators will help you organize additional trips with special (non tourist) rates which can be paid directly in local currency.
Volunteers based in Nadi & Lautoka can choose from a wide variety of options with Nadi being the main tourist hub for Fiji and the Fijian Islands.
Volunteers based in the Coral Coast can spend the weekends exploring Suva, visiting Colo-I-Suva or Mosquito Island and searching the craft and produce markets in Suva’s town centre. From Pacific Harbour you can organize activities, such as kayaking, white-water rafting, shark feeding, jet ski tours, zip lining and diving.
- No extra requirements for this program
Fiji is an archipelago of 330 tropical islands. It’s one of the most developed Pacific Island economies however, a chronic lack in investment and under-employment pose obstacles to sustainable and equitable economic growth in Fiji.
More than 250,000 people in the Fiji islands live in poverty and many more Fijians live on or just above the poverty line. Efficient delivery in health care, in education, in work opportunities and other social services are incredibly difficult in Fiji.
A great disparity exists between the working class communities and the multi-national owned tourism resorts which represent approx 25% of Fiji’s Gross domestic product. Sadly, much of the wealth generated from this sector does not filter down to the local communities.
IVI have a well established program in Fiji build by local Fijian’s with in depth understanding of the local needs. We have a have a variety of skilled and non skilled volunteering options for anyone seeking to live like a local far away from the trendy monotonous tourist resorts.
Fiji enjoys a hot and humid climate year round. Average temperatures range from 25°C to 30°C.
May to October is considered one of the best time to visit, as it’s the dry season. The wet season is from November to April. The island will recieve heavy rain, but in short outbursts. In July and August, temperatures can fall to as low as 18°C, making it a pleasent time to visit for those who enjoy cooler weather!
The Fijian people have a strong sense of their own culture and customs and highly developed sense of honor. The locals are generally very friendly and welcoming. Within Fijian villages, tribal alliances are still intact and money does not play a significant role in their daily lives. Visitors are not always accustomed to the slow work pace (they call it “Fiji time”). Do not worry too much about this, just go with the flow!
30 Years Non Profit Experience
IVI is an Australian charity & non profit organisation founded in 1989 and is one of the pioneers of overseas volunteering successfully placing over 20,000 volunteers globally.
Affordable Volunteer Travel
We’re not motivated by shareholder profits. Our fees are fully transparent to ensure maximum benefit where it is most needed.
Safe & Responsible Projects
All projects include a dedicated 24/7 in-country management team, operational & risk assessment & overseas support contact. All projects are personally inspected to ensure very high quality.
Work Experience & University Credits
We place thousands of Uni students and can assist you with course credits and in-field experience points. Many of our project coordinators are qualified practitioners in their respective fields allowing unique in-field supervision and Uni accreditation options
Check out this amazing blog with step by step info on how to raise funds for your overseas volunteer experience to help maximize your impact abroad. Guide to Fundraising
Weekends & Extra Tours
