dog rescue & shelter

Program

The Dog Rescue and Shelter is dedicated to giving abandoned and homeless dogs a second chance. Located in the heart of Puerto Escondido, the shelter is a place where dogs receive love, medical care, and the opportunity to be adopted by caring families. As a volunteer, you’ll help these animals regain their health and confidence while learning about responsible pet ownership and the importance of animal welfare in our community.

With this program, you’ll not only make a direct impact on these dogs’ lives but also help reduce the stray population and educate the local community on humane treatment of animals. Whether you’re an experienced animal lover or just beginning, our shelter offers various ways to get involved and give back to the community and our furry friends.

Activities

  • Feed and provide fresh water to the dogs.

  • Clean kennels and play areas.

  • Walk and socialize with the dogs.

  • Help organize adoption events.

  • Assist with social media updates about dogs available for adoption.

  • Support medical care, such as administering medications.

  • Assist in the rehabilitation of abused or fearful dogs.

  • Manage behavior training sessions.

  • Help with shelter maintenance and infrastructure projects.

  • Coordinate rescue operations for stray or injured dogs.

Important Info

  • Arrival at the residence is on Sunday.

  • Activities start on Monday.

  • The program runs 5 days a week, from Monday to Friday.

  • Shifts at the shelter vary between 4 and 6 hours.

  • There are morning and afternoon shifts.

  • Transportation from the residence to the projects departs and returns on time.

  • Some campaigns are organized on Saturdays.

  • You’ll need clothes you don’t mind getting dirty or possibly torn.

  • Flights are not included.

  • Airport transfer to the residence is included.

  • You will have a 24/7 contact number for questions and assistance.

Daily Schedule

  • 08:00 AM – Breakfast *Except Tuesdays.

Morning Shift

  • 08:45 AM – Transport to the shelter.

  • 12:15 PM – Transport back to the residence.

Afternoon Shift

  • 02:45 PM – Transport to the shelter.

  • 06:15 PM – Transport back to the residence.

residence

  • Exclusive residence for Experiencia students and volunteers.

  • Located just steps from the beach in La Punta de Zicatela.

  • Shared or private rooms.

  • Fully equipped shared kitchen.

  • Shared bathrooms and showers on the first floor for beachgoers.

  • Living room.

  • Surf training area.

  • Yoga room.

volunteer surfer

Importance of shelters and Donations

Dog shelters play a vital role in rescuing and caring for dogs that have been abandoned or mistreated. These shelters provide each dog with a safe, welcoming space where they can begin to heal—both physically and emotionally. By offering temporary shelter, they help dogs regain trust and prepare them for a loving forever home.

Rescue work goes beyond just offering a safe place; it also means ensuring every dog gets the medical attention they need. Shelters work tirelessly to keep rescued dogs healthy, providing vaccinations, deworming, and treating any injuries or illnesses. Thanks to this comprehensive care, shelters help each dog get the best chance at a happy, healthy life with a new family.

Donations are the lifeline that keeps these dog rescue efforts going strong. Without the support of generous donors and dedicated volunteers, many shelters wouldn’t be able to continue saving lives. Every donation—whether funds or time—directly helps provide food, medical care, and the essentials needed for rescued dogs. By contributing, you’re helping to create a brighter future for dogs in need.

Key points:

  • Shelters offer a safe, nurturing space for abandoned and mistreated dogs.

  • They ensure each rescued dog receives essential medical care to aid their recovery.

  • Donations are essential for shelters to keep their rescue missions going strong.

GOALS

  • Develop and manage a volunteer program and support shelters in Puerto Escondido.

  • Work alongside organizations to help them reach their goals.

  • Build a supportive community with a drive for personal development.

ACTIONS

  • Staff training.

  • Day-to-day support.

  • Product donations (food, collars, medicines, transport, and more).

  • Campaign creation to raise funds.

dates

  • Start every Sunday.

  • From January to December.

  • Activity days: Monday to Friday.

Req

  • Be 18+.

  • Enroll in the program.

  • Minimum participation of 1 week.

  • Ability to work in a team.

  • Commitment to the program.

Who can be volunteers?

  • You, me, and everyone can be volunteers you don’t have to travel to be one. You can generate ideas and contribute your time in your own community, with your family, online, and in many other ways. One of our goals is for you to return to your community inspired and equipped with tools to create a positive impact.

  • Anyone with the desire, ideas, and the ability to travel and be part of our team.

  • Make a difference from anywhere!

    Even if you’re not physically present, you can contribute to our community projects. Join as a remote volunteer and help us with tasks such as translation, social media outreach, graphic design, or project management. Your support is essential for the success of our initiatives!

  • Support with your donations: A Small Contribution, a Big Impact

  • Your donations are key for our community projects to continue growing and transforming lives.

    Every contribution, big or small, helps us fund educational programs, personal development workshops, and activities for the well-being of the community. By donating, you become an essential part of our mission, allowing more people to access opportunities they otherwise wouldn’t have. Your help is the engine that drives change!

Why do I have to pay to participate?

  • All the community programs we support are 100% led by individuals from the community. These individuals have their own jobs and dedicate their free time to founding and managing the projects, relying entirely on volunteers and donations.

  • Experiencia works by connecting volunteers from around the world, running advertising campaigns to reach more people, generating fundraising campaigns, training volunteers with special training, providing 24/7 support to volunteers, and coordinating their entire stay in Puerto Escondido.

  • Experiencia hires people to provide courses and proper training, along with coordination, assistance, and supervision for all volunteers.

  • More than 10 people working on these projects are paid for their great work in maintaining the development of the programs.

  • As you can see, the programs themselves incur many expenses, including materials, medicines, rent, repairs, operations, transportation, fuel, salaries, etc.

  • Yes, the volunteer is an essential part, but without financial support, the great idea and the hard work cannot yield results.

What do I receive in return?

  • Training in the project you wish to support.

  • Course on community fundamentals and project support.

  • Be part of the project 5 days a week, from Monday to Friday.

  • Support from the Experiencia volunteer coordinator 24/7 regarding your stay.

  • Invitation to participate in monthly activity campaigns that connect all our volunteers with the community and other programs.

  • Certificate of hours volunteered, signed by the director of your program and the volunteer coordinator.

  • A 15% discount on shared rooms in our residence.

  • A 10% discount on Spanish courses

  • 6 breakfasts a week.