CANDi... saving the lives of stray cats and dogs through spay, neuter and adoption programs supported by the tourism industry, travelers and pet lovers.

Being a volunteer is all about dependability and initiative. To be an effective volunteer and to get the most out of your experience, you must be well prepared.

The following information details what will be expected of you as a volunteer. These guidelines are important for successful functioning of the clinics, optimal learning experiences, and, most importantly, patient and volunteer safety. We take them VERY seriously.

General Information

Clinics can be a physically and mentally challenging experience. The work is hard and the hours are long. You should expect to rise early in the morning (7am transportation to clinic) and work for as many hours as are required to complete the clinic, in some cases often until 9 or 10 PM. However, our goal is to be closed by 6pm, with a possible rotating Skelton crew to stay behind until all the dogs have been picked up or settled for the night.

All volunteers are expected to be team players and remain with the group throughout the trip. You should be prepared to live and work under a variety of conditions. We normally work in the poorer areas of Cancun, in the areas of the greatest need for the street animals and community.

We are all about delivering the maximum amount of good veterinary care to animals in difficult situations. Our volunteers' primary concern is the welfare of their patients. Our teams work together as a unit regardless of the circumstances. Communication is what makes our clinics successful.   Failure to bring an adequate sense of humor can lead to considerable discomfort!

What to Bring

Equipment listed here. While there are usually places to buy sundries and do laundry on most trips, such facilities may not be available every day and may not be particularly well stocked.

REQUIRED ITEMS:

• Comfortable shoes
• Scrubs (one pair/clinic day)
• Jeans or shorts (long pants if working with large animals)
• Sweatshirt and/or jacket or other warm layer
• Personal items for the duration of the trip
• Refillable water bottle (save the planet and save our hosts $$, drink tap water)
• Stethoscope
• Thermometer
• Watch that counts seconds (buckle type can be attached to your belt for surgery)
• Sterile surgeon's gloves (20 pair) in your size (vet students only)
• A lab coat or smock to wear over scrubs while in receiving

OPTIONAL RECOMMENDED ITEMS:

• Small bandage scissors
• Extra cloth surgery caps / masks if desired
• Head lamp or small flashlight
• Snacks or other ready to eat personal food / beverage items as needed
• Insect repellent and sun block

Do not bring valuables.

Expenses

Lunches - $30 for the week will be collected the first night before the clinic starts.  This will cover for costs of sandwiches, snacks and water

Tips – We usually recommend for those eating breakfast and dinner to leave a few dollars tip for the waiters serving you.  This will be the responsibility of the individual.  The average employee makes approximately $4 a day; they rely on tips for their livelihood.  Please keep this in mind.

Additional info:

Surgical Gloves: Surgical gloves and sutures are one of the most expense items to purchase in Mexico.  It is also one of the easiest to pack.  If possible, it would be great if you could bring one box (20 pair) of sterile surgeon's gloves in varying sizes for the clinic. One source of reasonably priced gloves online is MooreMedical.com. – or if you can get them donated through your local community that would be great as well.

Travel: Volunteers are responsible for airfare transportation to and from the designated meeting site.  However, travel is offered to and from the airport to the hotel (and back) and to and from the hotel to the clinic.

If you are renting a car and would be willing to offer the ride to others (which will help with scheduling), please contact us with those details.

Organized transportation – if you choose not to book the transfer company we have organized for you to or from the airport, the cost will be your responsibility.  Beware of transportation companies who claim they are working with our group.  Please stay with our preferred transportation company.

Thanks to our support with Air Transat, rooms and breakfast and dinner will be included.  However, this may vary from clinic to clinic.  Information will be provided.

Booking your travel dates: The clinic typically runs from Monday through Friday.  Travel dates can be booked anytime arriving Friday, Saturday or Sunday prior to the clinic.  Departure is acceptable anytime Friday, Saturday or Sunday after the clinic.  Additional travel dates will be at the cost of the individual.

Food and Lodging: Once the team has assembled at the meeting location, food and lodging will be provided for the duration of the trip. Volunteers are responsible for hotel accommodations, meals or any other expenses before the stated meeting time and after the team returns to the meeting site.

Misc: Your only other expense will be incidentals, such as snacks or souvenirs "on the road". If you book before or after the clinic, the extra days will be at your cost.

Accommodations

Sleeping arrangements - if you are arriving with another person we will book you as a double room.  However, singles may be booked with another single (same gender) to help keep room numbers down.  We will accept triple and quad rooms on request.

Food and amenities are variable. Occasionally, signals get crossed, and food does not show up on time. If these communities were well organized and wealthy, they wouldn't need our services! Having some snacks like granola bars, dried fruit and nuts, etc., especially if you need to eat on a regular basis, is a good idea. Peanut butter in a plastic container is easy to transport and meets all basic nutritional needs.

Safety

Every effort is made to maintain volunteer safety. All volunteers must read, and agree to our safety requirements. Additionally, if you have any health problems, it is essential that the trip leader know about them, as emergency medical care is sometimes unavailable.

By participating in our clinic, you are agreeing to release CANDi, its partners, and the supervising veterinarians from liability for injuries that may occur during the trip or while traveling to the site.

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

In addition to the information above, the following pertains to all travel outside the United States:

Identification/Travel Documents

You will not need a visa but you will need a current passport. Please check with your physician on required vaccinations.