Animal Lovers Volunteering in Bucaramanga
Combo of Dog & Cat Resort with Wildlife Rescue
Make a meaningful difference for animals in Colombia through a unique volunteering experience combining hands-on work at a local dog and cat shelter with time supporting a wildlife rescue sanctuary.
Spend most of your time caring for rescued dogs and cats, helping with feeding, cleaning, socializing, exercise, and daily shelter activities.
You’ll also have the opportunity to support the rescue and rehabilitation of native Colombian wildlife while experiencing a different side of animal conservation.
Program Highlights:
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Care for 130+ rescued dogs and cats
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Help with feeding, cleaning and daily care
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Give animals attention, exercise and socialization
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Support wildlife rescue and rehabilitation
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Get closer to Colombia’s native wildlife
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Work alongside local animal-care teams
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Make a direct impact on animal welfare
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Heartwarming and unforgettable Memories!
This volunteer program in a nutshell
Volunteer Activities & Spanish Classes
As a volunteer, you’ll spend your afternoons at a beautiful Dog & Cat Resort surrounded by nature. You will support daily activities such as feeding, grooming, washing, and playing with the animals, helping them regain trust and well-being. In between, we will also spend some days at the close-by Wildlife Animal Sanctuary, where you can work together with Biologists to care for the rescued animals. In the mornings, you can optionally join Spanish classes tailored to your level, allowing you to connect more deeply with the local culture. This combination creates a balanced and enriching daily routine.
Explore Bucaramanga & Santander
Beyond volunteering, you’ll discover one of Colombia’s hidden gems. Bucaramanga offers a perfect climate year-round and serves as a gateway to adventure. You can join activities such as coffee tours in the surrounding hills, where you’ll learn about Colombia’s coffee culture from local farmers. For thrill-seekers, paragliding over the Chicamocha Canyon is an unforgettable experience. Nature lovers can explore waterfalls, hiking trails, and national parks in the Santander region. Cultural experiences like city tours and local markets give you a deeper understanding of Colombian life. Your time here becomes more than volunteering—it becomes a full travel experience.
Feel like home in our beautiful hostel
During your stay, you’ll live in a welcoming and social hostel in Bucaramanga. The accommodation is designed to make you feel at home from the very beginning. You’ll share the space with other international volunteers and travelers, creating a vibrant and supportive community. Comfortable rooms, common areas, and a relaxed atmosphere allow you to recharge after your volunteering days. The hostel is centrally located, making it easy to explore the city, restaurants, and local hotspots. Our team is always available to support you and ensure your experience is smooth, safe, and enjoyable. You can choose between private or shared-room options.
Example Schedule of 2 weeks in Bucaramanga
This schedule is just an example. You can customize your trip with us individually and you can decide on the duration of your stay.
Day 1 - Arrival, Airport Pickup & Check-in
You will be picked up at the airport and will check-in to the hostel or the guest family. Get something to eat and settle in. Afterwards, we will give you an introduction about the program and show you around in the area, where you can have breakfast, the Spanish school, supermarkets and restaurants.
Day 5 - Canyon Day & Paragliding
The Chicamocha Canyon is south americas biggest and most beautiful canyon. Enjoy it's view on a daytrip and join a paragliding tandem flight if you are up to.
Days 2 & 3 - Spanish class & Volunteer with dogs & cats
A typical day starts with delicious breakfast, followed by a Spanish class. After a great lunch in a local restaurant, we will head to the Dog & Cat Resort in the early afternoon. You will get to know the furry friends and have some first exchanges and activities. Transport is arranged by us and you will be accompanied by a local person.
Days 6-7 - Spanish classes & Volunteer with Cats & Dogs
More Spanish classes to become fluent and volunteering with the furry friends in the afternoon. Washing, playing and feeding the dogs and cats.
Day 4 - Comuna Tour and Life in a Colombian Barrio
Dive into the real Colombian life with it's culture, arts, dancing and music. In this tour, local people will guide you through their neighborhood and tell you stories about daily life and history.
Day 8 - Coffee Tour with great views and tasting
Enjoy spectacular views from above and learn first hand about the Colombian Coffee culture. Enjoy a guided tour through a Coffee Plantation and Roastery and taste some delicious coffee.
Days 9 - 10 Spanish classes and volunteering
More Spanish classes and of course more volunteering. The furry friends will know you by now and yo might have already started your own projects at the farm and are actively involved in the daily activities.
Day 11 - Transport to the Wildlife Rescue Center
We will arrange the two hour transport by car to the Wildlife Animal Rescue Sanctuary. There, we will spend a few nights and you will receive a private room at the volunteer house of the sanctuary.
Days 12 - 14 Volunteering at the Wildlife Rescue Center
During your time at the wildlife rescue center, you’ll spend three days supporting the care and rehabilitation of rescued native animals. Your activities may include preparing food, cleaning and maintaining enclosures, assisting with daily care, and observing the animals’ recovery. You’ll also learn more about Colombia’s incredible biodiversity and the challenges faced by wild animals affected by human activity. Depending on the current needs of the sanctuary, you may help with environmental projects, habitat maintenance, or other hands-on conservation activities.
Pricing
Title | 2 Weeks | 3 Weeks | 4 Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
Program Fee | USD 920 | USD 1'270 | USD 1'610 |
Spanish Classes | USD 160 / week | ||
Guest Family Stay | On Request | ||
Excursions & Activities | On Request | ||
Room Upgrades | On Request |
It's more than Volunteering - it's an experience!
Airport transfer
Accommodation
Breakfast & Lunch
Transportation to the project sides
Volunteer Activities & Donation
Hikes & City Tours
Local Guides & Translators
24/7 in-country support
WHAT OUR TRAVELERS SAY
Ellie Fenn, United Kingdom, 2026 via Google
I spent my time in Spanish classes at Bucara Spanish academy and at the dog and cat sanctuary, and I would highly recommend both - I would even say if you can stay more than a week, do, as i would have loved more time in Bucaramanga. Laura and Simon have put together an amazing project and are so accommodating of all of your needs. We had the chances to go on beautiful day trips which they organised for us and they took us to a salsa club that was so fun. I would say if you are going to Colombia it is a must do, and if you are looking for any volunteer program to spend time with lovely animals, wonderful people in a great city, this would be the best option for you! I travelled solo and was nervous about this but it was one of the best experiences of my life.
The impact you will make
Your time as a volunteer directly improves the lives of animals that have been rescued, abandoned, or affected by human activity. At the dog and cat shelter, you help provide daily care, attention, exercise, and socialization that many animals would otherwise miss.
At the wildlife rescue center, you contribute to the recovery and well-being of native Colombian wildlife while supporting the people who work every day to protect these animals. Whether you are cleaning an enclosure, preparing food, taking a dog for a walk, or helping maintain a natural habitat, your contribution matters.
By volunteering, you don’t just care for animals for a few hours — you become part of a local effort to give them a safer, healthier and more dignified future.
Reviews from our Volunteers
Our Animal Volunteering Plan in more details
This program gives you the opportunity to support two different areas of animal welfare and conservation during your time in Colombia. You will spend the majority of your volunteering time at a local dog and cat shelter, where your daily support helps improve the lives of rescued and abandoned animals.
Your work at the shelter can include feeding the animals, cleaning their living areas, taking dogs for walks, providing exercise and enrichment, and spending time socializing animals that need human attention and affection. You may also help with basic maintenance, organizing supplies, or other tasks that support the shelter’s daily operations. Every day can be a little different, depending on the needs of the animals and the shelter.
As part of the program, you will also spend a few days at a wildlife rescue center dedicated to the care and rehabilitation of native Colombian species. During these days, you can help prepare food, clean and maintain enclosures, support daily animal care, and contribute to environmental and habitat-related activities. You’ll also have the chance to learn more about Colombia’s biodiversity and the challenges faced by wildlife affected by human activity.
The combination of shelter work and wildlife conservation allows you to experience two very different sides of animal welfare. While one part focuses on domestic animals that need care, companionship, and a second chance, the other introduces you to the protection and rehabilitation of Colombia’s wild species.
The program has a minimum stay of two weeks, but you are welcome to stay longer and become more involved in the shelter’s daily work. The longer you stay, the more opportunity you have to build relationships with the animals, understand their individual needs, and make a lasting contribution to the local projects.
Stay at our lovely hostel
Feel at home in our perfectly located hostel in Bucaramanga, designed to make your stay comfortable, social, and easy from day one.
You can choose between dorm stay (female and mixed dorms available), private and superior rooms depending on your travel style.
The hostel offers a friendly and relaxed atmosphere where it’s easy to connect with other international volunteers and travelers.
Whether you want to explore the city, share experiences, or simply relax, this welcoming hostel quickly becomes your home in Bucaramanga, Colombia.
Your experienced Team in Bucaramanga
Laura
Ximena
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Simon
Juan
Diego
Sharon
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