Animal RescueIndia

Volunteers work at a rescue centre and sanctuary for injured and abused animals. It is a home to over 300 animals including dogs, cows, donkeys, pigs, cats, tortoises, goats, birds, a buffalo and any other animal in need. Volunteers provide hands on help and care to the many animals on site and each day volunteers are needed to help with the daily feeding and cleaning of the animal areas.

Volunteers carry out a variety of roles depending on the needs of the project at the time, including:

• Daily sessions in the dog areas - comforting, bathing, feeding and walking
• Caring for rescued animals after their initial treatment and helping their rehabilitation
• Helping to care for abandoned puppies and orphaned calves
• Preparing and distributing food and water
• Cleaning the animal enclosures
• Assisting the vets and nurses
• Giving physical and hydro-therapy to disabled and paralysed animals
• Spending time giving love and attention to each animal 

For more information on the centre and the treatment they provide for animals please click here.

“Volunteers can help save lives at the Animal Rescue project by assisting our nurses and doctors treat animals, encouraging sick or shy dogs to eat, bottle feeding orphaned animals and many more adventure await helping animals in India”
Raj, Street Animal Rescue team

Typical day

Volunteers work 5 days per week, Sunday-Thursday, from around 9.30am to 4.30pm. Volunteers travel to the centre in a taxi which is provided.

In your first few days at the project you will receive an an introduction to the volunteer role. Fridays and Saturdays are free to explore and experience free time activities.

Other volunteers

There are normally 1-3 volunteers who work alongside local volunteers and staff at the centre.

Local support

Ravi and Gaurav are brothers and support volunteers whilst they are in India, they live in city of Udaipur. You will also be supported by the staff at the animal rescue centre, including Raj who is a volunteer coordinator.

Volunteers live in a hotel in the city of Udaipur. You will have a private bedroom and bathroom. You can request to share a room with a partner or friend. 

The accommodation is simple but clean. The accommodation is a 15 minute drive from the Animal Rescue centre.

Meals

Breakfast will be provided at your hotel which is normally bread, toast or cereal. 

You can buy your lunch and dinner locally. There are many Indian and international restaurants and cafes in the city of Udaipur. 

Vegetarians and vegans are welcomed and can be catered for.

Drinking water is available to purchase locally. 

You will need to fly into Mumbai (BOM) or Delhi (DEL) and then take a connecting flight to Udaipur (UDR).

You will be met on arrival at Udaipur Airport and driven to the project, which takes about 40 minutes.

Location and free time

The project is based on the outskirts of Udaipur, a vibrant city that attracts visitors with its colourful temples and palaces. A day can easily be spent exploring the colourful street markets with beautiful Rajasthan jewellery and clothing. Known to locals as the “City of Lakes”, it is now considered one of the most romantic destinations in India, thanks to its lakes and mountainous scenery!

Lake Pichola is a relaxing spot to try local cuisines and admire the stunning views of the Lake Palace, Monsoon Palace and the surrounding mountains. The Jagdish Temple and City Palace are interesting places to visit to learn more about the local culture and history.

Volunteers can arrange trips to some of India’s famous sights and cities including day trips to the nearby medieval hilltop fortress of Kumbhagargh (the second longest wall in the world!) and Ranakpur Jain Temple, as well as weekend trips to the unmissable Taj Mahal or Jodhpur desert safari.

Volunteers have free time in the evenings where they can relax or head to a roof top restaurant and watch city vibrant city life go by! 

Trips

During your first week the local team arrange trips to the following local sights:

• Monsoon Palace - offers stunning views of Udaipur!
• Waterfront cultural theatre dance and puppet show

Climate

The city of Udaipur has a tropical climate. Temperatures are coolest from November to February, with average daytime temperatures ranging from 19 to 23˚C and can go down to 7˚C on a cold night. The dry season coincides with these ‘cool’ months.

The hottest months are from April to June, average daytime temperatures are approximately 28˚C but can reach to 35˚C on a hot day. Temperatures remain high during the monsoon season which generally runs in Udaipur from June to September.

Travelling in India before or after your placement

Popular activities in India that you might like to combine with your project are:

• Visiting the Taj Mahal – a visit to India is not complete without a visit to one of the Seven Wonders of the World
• Exploring the spectacular city of Jaipur and its beautiful palace and fortress complexes
• Experience life in the Thar Desert and the iconic ‘Blue City’ of Jodhpur
• Look out for the elusive wild tiger in Ranthambore National Park and see the best of Northern India’s wildlife including jackal, crocodile and sambar deer

For more information on India and some of the things we loved when we visited there please see our India country page. 

Rebecca 

“I absolutely loved working at the Animal Rescue project in India. 

The Animal Rescue project was such a beautiful place to work. The long term volunteers and workers are super helpful and appreciate you volunteering. 

There is so many activities, like feeding, loving and giving physio to all the animals in different areas. When the weather got warmer we also got to do hydrotherapy with the disabled dogs which was fantastic!”

Roslyn 

“The staff at the Animal Rescue project are friendly and helpful. They are very busy and there’s lots of work to do with animals brought to the hospital several times a day. This is why volunteering there is so important. I would recommend it to any animal lovers out there considering it!

Brilliant support from the POD team and Lucy in particular. She is a good person to go to with questions about the project/ travel/ accommodation and I found her very helpful.”

Catherine 

“I have recently returned from the Animal Rescue project in Udaipur. My whole experience was amazing from working closely with animals and other volunteers where I couldn't have been made to feel more welcome. 

I plan a return trip next year and will certainly be using Pod Volunteer to arrange my placement again. I would recommend to anyone... cannot fault anything at all, my whole experience was brilliant. Thank you!”

Brian and Zoe 

“Our experience at the Animal Rescue project was extraordinary. The centre itself was a hive of positive activity, all of it directed towards taking care of the variety of animals that had been rescued for so many different reasons. 

The permanent staff were welcoming and helpful, and the volunteers, from a wide range of countries and experiences, worked tirelessly alongside them. Everyone was thankful and happy to be there and the common love of animals brought everyone together in ways that so many other experiences never could. 

Our time at the Animal Rescue project was nothing but positive and rewarding, and mere minutes after having to leave we began to think about when we might be able to return.”    

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