Help Care for Rescued Animals when you volunteer at the Cambodia Cat & Dog Welfare Project!
Volunteer to help care for rescued dogs & cats in Siem Reap at the Cambodia Dog and Cat Rescue Shelter!
1 to 12 weeks from £450 / US$495
The Animal Shelter works towards rescue and rehabilitation of animals in Cambodia. The sanctuary is home to 100+ animals rescued from neglect in Siem Reap. The project also works in the community to provide healthcare to local animals.
Volunteer to help end the suffering of animals in Cambodia at the House of Strays Rescue Sanctuary!
Work alongside the dedicated team at the sanctuary to help feed, clean and care for the rescued animals. You’ll help them care for the dogs, cats and chickens and ultimately help them work towards improving animal rights in Cambodia.
Volunteering at this animal welfare project provides an unforgettable experience for those who wish to help dogs & cats. You will live and work in the historic town of Siem Reap for a truly life changing experience!
Volunteering
As a volunteer at the rescue shelter, you will help take care of the rescued dogs, cats and other animals in the Siem Reap sanctuary. It is the only physical shelter for animals with disabilities in Siem Reap. The project has been rescuing, rehabilitating, and caring for abandoned and neglected animals for several years, who would otherwise be without help.
This programme is well suited to volunteers who love animals and are passionate about animal rights. If you are looking for a programme where you provide hands-on care to animals, your support will be integral to the functioning of the sanctuary!
Animal Welfare
The project is dedicated to promoting animal welfare and advocating for animal rights. The rescue shelter in Siem Reap, Cambodia, serves as a safe haven for over 100 animals that have been rescued from neglect. As the only physical shelter in Siem Reap, the project is committed to providing care and rehabilitation for stray animals, funding medical treatment for animals in need, and supporting local families who are struggling to treat their sick and injured pets.
The prevention efforts include vaccinations, deworming, and neutering to prevent the spread of disease and reduce the number of animals born into suffering on the streets. The rescue home is where these animals receive lifesaving rehabilitation and have the chance to be adopted into loving homes.
Recovering animals
Taking care of the recovering animals is a big job! Which is where the volunteers help is greatly needed; caring for the animals is vital work. Volunteers help with feeding, cleaning, nursing kittens, giving basic medication and most importantly; giving them love and affection.
Some animals have been through traumatising experiences and may be wary of humans. By spending time with them and showing them love you will be helping to build their trust in humans again and increase their chances of being adopted into their forever home!
Join us to help give the animals of Cambodia a better life!
In addition to rescuing and caring for sick and injured animals the project also focuses on a long term, sustainable solution to the problem. The project works in the community providing healthcare and neutering programmes to improve animal rights in Cambodia!
Help care for rescued dogs & cats in Siem Reap at the Cambodia Animal Welfare Project!
The Cambodia Dog & Cat Welfare Project aims to create sustainable animal welfare in Cambodia and end the suffering of the street cats and dogs. In addition to caring for rescued street cats and dogs, the project is also tackling the problem of overpopulation through neutering and working to improve animal welfare in the community.
Project Location:
In and around the charming town of Siem Reap in Northern Cambodia. Home to the incomparable UNESCO world heritage-listed Angkor Wat temple complex. There is an international airport with good connections to the capital Phnom Penh and throughout Asia. Siem Reap has a good range of facilities for visitors. These include a variety of shops, excellent restaurants, lively and traditional bars and plenty of unique sightseeing opportunities. There are also good medical facilities in the town, should you need them.
Volunteering with Rescued Dogs & Cats
Main Volunteer Activities:
Volunteers work with the local staff, assisting them with feeding, cleaning, walking, and playing with and socialising the animals. Volunteers can also get involved with neutering, de-worming and animal welfare campaigns that may be taking place during your stay.
Hours:
Volunteers usually work Mon-Fri for 4-5 hours per day in the mornings.
Duration:
Volunteer placements are year-round for 1 to 12 weeks.
Volunteer Accommodation:
The most popular accommodation is in our very own Volunteer House. Or you can choose from a private ensuite room in a locally owned hotel with outdoor pool. Or upgrade to a more upmarket hotel, also with outdoor pool.
Requirements to volunteer in Cambodia:
Volunteers at this project must be aged 18+ and speak English.
The project was founded by an English couple, Georgia & Billy after travelling in South East Asia. After feeding and befriending stray animals and visiting many rescue shelters, they ended up in Cambodia and set up their own animal rescue shelter.
The shelter is now home to over 100 animals. Some animals will live out their lives at the shelter although successful adoption is key in creating space for more animals and continuing the mission.
The community outreach programme has no limits in how far the reach around Cambodia. If an animal is suffering in Cambodia, the project will do anything possible to make a successful rescue.
The project aims to vaccinate and de-sex animals to prevent suffering by decreasing Cambodia’s stray population. The shelter’s work is not limited to stray cats and dogs but extends to every animal in need.
Animal Rights in Cambodia
Injured & sick animals, as well as litters of unwanted kittens and puppies are left at local pagodas. It is a common misconception that pagodas are a safe haven which encourages many people to dump animals there. And while the Monks and caretakers want to help, they often lack the resources and ability to care for the animals. Within the pagodas there is generally a scarcity of food, over-crowding and infectious disease that lead to high mortality rates among the dogs and cats left there.
Another major issue in Cambodia is access to resources that allow people to seek proper medical care for animals, due to the lack of affordable veterinary care, the lack of normalisation of going to a veterinarian, and the state of veterinary education standards in Cambodia. This means when animals are sick, even those animals that have homes and caretakers, they are unable to receive medical treatment thus resulting in sick animals who are left on the street or are sold. There are currently few animal protection laws for most animal species in Cambodia except for some protected wild animal species. Animal neglect and sometimes even abuse are widespread, particularly in the meat trade.
Ho
w
the Project is Helping
The project is the only sanctuary for injured and abused animals in Siem Reap. Rescued animals are rehabilitated and, where possible, adopted to forever homes. With over 100 animals including permanent residents that are unable to find adopted homes, the sanctuary is a vital part of the welfare of animals in Siem Reap.
The project also helps dogs and cats in the community by proving healthcare and neutering to prevent the suffering of animals. Tackling the over population problem is a vital part of any dog and cat welfare project.
Why the project needs volunteers
Any visitor to Cambodia will tell you that there are a lot of stray cats and dogs on the streets, and without education and improved care the problem will only continue to get worse. The Cambodia cat and dog rescue project is working to improve this problem. Having volunteers to help at the project allows more time to be given to interacting with and socialising the animals which plays a vital role in helping the animals trust humans again; making it more likely they will be able to be adopted into their forever homes. Having volunteers to help with the general feeding and care also frees up the local staff’s time to focus on the animals needing more serious care or treatment.
Additionally, as the project receives no
funding
from the government, the Cambodia cat and dog rescue relies on volunteer support, private donations, and grants in order to fund their important work. Long after volunteers have left, the project can continue paying wages, providing care and treatment to the cats and dogs who need it.
By volunteering at the Cambodia Cat & Dog Welfare Project you will play an important part in the future of animal welfare in Cambodia.
Volunteers work alongside the full-time staff assisting with feeding the dogs and cats. Additionally, volunteers assist with walking, playing with, and socialising the dogs and cats as well as keeping the sanctuary clean. Volunteers can also get involved with sterilisation, de-worming and other campaigns that may be taking place during their stay.
Volunteers usually work 4-5 hours per day at the dog shelter, Monday to Friday with weekends free. Volunteers normally start at 8.30am and finish around 12.30pm. Exact times can vary depending upon the activities happening at the shelter during your time there.
Volunteer roles vary depending upon the needs of the dog & cat rescue shelter and your relevant skills and abilities.
Your main duties as a volunteer may include some or all of the following:
Preparing food and feeding the dogs & cats.
Keeping the sanctuary clean.
Basic medical care.
Walking the dogs.
Playing with the dogs & cats.
Socialisation of the animals.
Fundraising campaigns.
Learn more about volunteering in Cambodia
has been working in Cambodia since 2006. We have a wealth of experience in this amazing country. If you want to volunteer with dogs & cats, then come and join our
amazing team
in Cambodia.
Learn about what it was like for volunteers when they received a
Blessing from a Monk
Accommodations when you Volunteer in Siem Reap with
Volunteers at the Siem Reap projects can choose from a range of accommodation options including our very own
Volunteer House
,
a private room in a
Standard Hotel
and an
Upgrade Hotel
. All accommodation has been carefully selected by us to offer the best value for all our volunteers regardless of
budget.
So if you are looking for somewhere
quiet
to lay your head at the end of a busy day, somewhere
lively
where you can socialise with other travellers, we have what you are looking for. All of our accommodations are
clean, comfortable and safe
and well located for transport to the project as well as all the attractions that Siem Reap has to offer. When you volunteer in Siem Reap, you can choose one of these great accommodation options:
’s Volunteer House
One of our most popular option for people coming to volunteer in Siem Reap is our very own Volunteer House. You will be sharing the house with other volunteers all coming from different parts of the world!
The volunteer house is located in a quiet residential area around National Road 6 and 6km from Angkor International Airport. It is situated far enough from the hustle-bustle and noise of the main markets, giving it a peaceful setting. However, the area has available markets, convenience stores, and not too far from the numerous temples inside the city.
The house has 3 bedrooms that are shared with other volunteers. Wi-Fi is free and accessible throughout the property. All rooms have fans, en-suite bathrooms, towels and linens. The Volunteer House also features a shared kitchen, balcony as well as a large garden area.
This option is great if you are looking for cultural exchange with like-minded people in a safe and enjoyable environment.
The Standard Hotel
The standard hotel is in a popular Cambodian-owned
Guest House,
close to ’s offices in Siem Reap. Rooms are
single occupancy
or can be shared if volunteers are travelling together.
Volunteer rooms are clean and comfortable, each with hot water,
ensuite toilet and shower.
The rooms have fans but you can upgrade it to
air conditioning
for a daily fee.
Cable TV
is available in all rooms with channels in English, and each room has a
small fridge
for storing cold drinks and snacks. The guest house also has several larger air-con rooms which are assigned on a first-come first-served basis to guests who pay the additional fee for air conditioning. Make sure you specify if you would like an aircon room when you apply.
The guest house has a
bar area
and
restaurant,
all set in lovely leafy grounds. volunteers also have use of our very own social area – just right for a drink and snack after a long day working at your project. There is also a
small pool
for that refreshing end of day dip!
There are also plenty of Khmer restaurants near the guest house if you fancy “going local” in the evenings. Free
WiFi
internet is available in rooms and in communal areas. We also have a team of friendly and reliable
tuk-tuk drivers
on hand with specially negotiated rates should you need transport at any time.
Our Upgrade Accommodation
We know that some volunteers prefer a few more creature comforts when they get to the end of a long, hard day working at their project. To be honest, if you are generous enough to donate your time and money to volunteer with us, then you deserve to be as comfortable as possible during your placement!
Upgrade volunteer rooms offer a higher standard of
comfort
and
more facilities
for volunteers who don’t mind paying a little extra. Rooms are spacious with large beds, cable TV,
free wi-fi, in-room safe
, tea and coffee making facilities. The rooms have modern en-suite bathrooms that are spotlessly clean.
Air-conditioning
comes as standard – there are no surcharges to pay here. Rooms also offer a desk which is convenient for planning your volunteer sessions or writing postcards and journal entries.
The hotel has a beautiful swimming pool and poolside bar and a
restaurant.
It serves
free breakfast
, lunch and dinner, with a good variety of reasonably priced Cambodian and international dishes.
When you volunteer in Cambodia, you will work with our team in Siem Reap. All very well travelled throughout the country and further afield in Southeast Asia and can offer plenty of travel tips. There are lots of options for weekends in the town as well as for travel
before or after your placement
. Here are just a few of Cambodia’s treasures to whet your appetite.
Siem Reap
Thanks to the magnificent temples of
Angkor
, the major economy in the town is tourism. In addition to the ancient temple complexes, the town has many bars, restaurants, ATMs, internet cafes catering to foreigners’ needs. There are also dozens of working Buddhist temples all over town, known locally as pagodas. Saffron-clad monks are a common sight on the streets of Siem Reap.
Siem Reap has colonial and Chinese-style architecture in the
Old French Quarter
and around the
Old Market
. In the town, there are Apsara dance performances and craft shops. You will also find silk farms, rice-paddy countrysides, fishing villages and a bird sanctuary near the
Tonle Sap Lake;
the largest fresh water lake in South East Asia. There is a lovely riverside garden and shady walks along the river which flows through the town.
The area around the old market provides a
lively night life
, especially along the aptly named ”
Pub Street
“. The town provides for all tastes, with worldwide cuisine including; Thai, Mexican, Indian, Japanese, Italian as well as menus catering to western tastes. There is everything from quiet cafes, lively bars and nightclubs in the town. Volunteer in Cambodia with and experience this special little town!
. There are over 100 temples scattered in the area in various states of decay; some in overgrown jungle, some on lakes. Rest assured everyone leaves with their own personal favourite temple!
Some people visit for one day to see the main attractions. We would recommend 3 days exploring the temples to get a much better overview of this incredible period in Cambodian history. On arrival, our friendly staff can advise the best ways and times to visit the temples.
Tonle Sap Lake
Tonle Sap is the largest fresh water lake in Southeast Asia and an attraction in its own right. About 10km from the town, the lake stretches almost as far as the country’s capital Phnom Penh. Its size varies enormously between the wet and dry seasons and half the year the waters flow into the lake from the river Mekong. For the rest of the year, the waters flow in the other direction, giving the lake a
unique ecosystem
.
Boat trips
on the lake are very popular and you can visit lake the famous
floating villages
and
stilt villages.
Originally home to refugees which have grown into entire communities with schools, shops and houses sitting directly on or over the water. Also venture further to see the
wildlife sanctuary
which is home to several species of endangered birds. You can also take a kayak through the famous sunken forests.
More great things to do in Siem Reap
For a small town, there are lots of things happening in Siem Reap!
From water festivals, dragon boat racing, Buddhist festivals, Apsara dancing to the biggest festival of all at Khmer New Year.
For a small country, Cambodia has a lot to offer those who have time to travel further afield.
Phnom Penh is a short flight away or 6-8 hours by road and is home to many popular attractions. The magnificent Royal Palace and the restaurants and bars along Sisowath Quay are on every visitor’s list. Along with the more sombre sites of S-21 prison and the Killing fields; reminders of Cambodia’s tragic past and the genocide under the Khmer Rouge Regime.
In the south of the country, you will find the laid back coastal towns of
Kampot
and
Kep.
As well as the lively beach resort of
Sihanoukville
. There are some lovely unspoilt islands where you can kick back and recharge your batteries. You can also find jungles, forests and the wildlife havens of
The
Cardamom Mountains
. Buses and internal flights from Siem Reap airport make getting around easy and relatively cheap.
For those who have time, there are also regular direct flights from Siem Reap to other must-see Southeast Asian destinations; such as
Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia
As a UK registered Charity, is completely financially transparent to you, our donors. You can therefore see a full breakdown of where your money goes and our independently audited accounts by clicking below:
requests a donation from volunteers to allow us to achieve our charitable objectives and support our partner programmes. In return, provides volunteers with an amazing, responsible and ethical volunteer experience and in-country support from the
team in Cambodia
. Ensuring that your placement is responsible as well as rewarding, safe and enjoyable takes a good deal of work.
A summary of ’s total expenditure for the last financial year is shown below:
Donations and Grants
60%
– This includes a share of volunteer placement fees, grants we have secured for our projects and donations managed by that are made by individuals and groups to our projects and partner projects.
Support Costs
29%
– This includes volunteer accommodation, volunteer transport, support staff costs, travel costs and some volunteer meals.
Operational Costs
11%
– Costs of running .
What’s Included
In-country support
from staff.
Cambodia
orientation guide
and arrival induction.
Free
town tour.
All necessary
project equipment
and materials.
All necessary
project training
by project staff.
Project donation.
With the Full Package
Free airport pick up from Siem Reap airport.
Accommodation
What’s not included
Flights
Medical and travel insurance
Vaccinations and inoculations
Onward transport at the end of your placement
Police or background check (where necessary)
What do everyday items cost?
The official currency of Cambodia is the Riel, however, all shops and market stalls accept US$ and you may be given small change in local currency ($1 = 4000 Riels). Be aware that dollar bills with any tears or markings are generally not accepted. ATMs dispense cash in US$. The cost of living in Cambodia is very low compared to most countries in the developed world. The costs of some typical items are:
The Cambodia Dog & Cat rescue shelter aims to create sustainable animal welfare in Cambodia and end the suffering of the street cats and dogs.
In addition to caring for rescued street cats and dogs, the project is also tackling the problem of overpopulation through neutering and working to improve animal welfare in Cambodia
Volunteers Help care for the rescued dogs & cats at the project.
The project is located in the charming town of Siem Reap in Northern Cambodia. Home to the incomparable UNESCO world heritage-listed Angkor Wat temple complex.
Volunteers work with the local staff, assisting them with feeding, cleaning, walking, and playing with and socialising the animals.Volunteers can also get involved with neutering, de-worming and animal welfare campaigns that may be taking place during your stay.Volunteers usually work Mon-Fri for 4-5 hours per day in the morning.
Volunteers at the Siem Reap Projects can choose from a range of accommodation options including our very own Volunteer House, a standard hotel room and upgrade hotel room.
All of our accommodations are clean, comfortable and safe and well located for transport to the project as well as the ‘s office
√ In-country support from staff in Siem Reap.
√ Cambodia orientation guide and induction on arrival.
√ Free Siem Reap town tour.
√ All necessary project equipment and materials.
√ All necessary project training by experienced staff.
√ water bottle and welcome pack.
√ Project donation.
√ Daily transport to and from your project.
With the Accommodation Packages
√ Free airport pick up from Siem Reap international airport.
√ Accommodation in the Volunteer House or at a hotel with a pool.
Great program, great volunteer opportunities, would recommend to anyone.
I volunteered for a month with in Peru and absolutely loved it! Great program, great volunteer opportunities, would recommend to anyone.
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Eli Joshua Echt-Wilson
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Eli Joshua Echt-Wilson
Great program, great volunteer opportunities, would recommend to anyone.
I volunteered for a month with in Peru and absolutely loved it! Great program, great volunteer opportunities, would recommend to anyone.
Accommodation was perfectly chosen and I made friends for life during my month working there.
Learnt so much in an authentic and safe environment. Accomdation was also perfectly chosen and I made friends for life during my month working there. Working hours flexible for a passionate explorer like myself
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Crystal
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Crystal
Accommodation was perfectly chosen and I made friends for life during my month working there.
Learnt so much in an authentic and safe environment. Accomdation was also perfectly chosen and I made friends for life during my month working there. Working hours flexible for a passionate explorer like myself
Would highly recommend them to anyone considering volunteering abroad.
A wonderful organisation that’s truly dedicated to helping the communities they work with. They ensure the volunteers are contributing as much as possible and putting their skills to the best possible use. I had an incredible experience with and would highly recommend them to anyone considering volunteering abroad.
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Anna Hilbert
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Anna Hilbert
Would highly recommend them to anyone considering volunteering abroad.
A wonderful organisation that’s truly dedicated to helping the communities they work with. They ensure the volunteers are contributing as much as possible and putting their skills to the best possible use. I had an incredible experience with and would highly recommend them to anyone considering volunteering abroad.
100% recommend to volunteer with them
is a great charity that will help you every step of the way to live the experience of a lifetime! 100% recommend to volunteer with them, great projects, great team!
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Elise Mousset
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Elise Mousset
100% recommend to volunteer with them
is a great charity that will help you every step of the way to live the experience of a lifetime! 100% recommend to volunteer with them, great projects, great team!
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