The Atenas Animal Rescue Center started as a location to provide a warm and loving home to household animals (cats and dogs), care for them, train them and then place them in new homes. There are no kennels, but the animals are part of the family, living in the house. This center is the only of its kind in the area. There are currently 14 dogs and 2 cats and the potential for more care depends on the number of people willing to help save the animals.

“Pro Ayuda del Animal Abandonado Atenas” (“To help Abandoned Animals in Atenas”) is a second animal rescue group. In this group, animals stay with foster families until a new home is found for them. One of the foster homes currently has 17 dogs and this is only one of multiple homes. They often sponsor neutering workshops to help fight the growth of street animals.

As a volunteer with the centers, you will work directly with the animals, walking them, teaching them leash skills, brushing them, bathing them and providing love and attention.

Love for animals is crucial. Spanish fluency is not as important as in other Costa Rica projects, but familiarity of the language is appreciated. Volunteers are expected to be reliable, flexible and charitable in unfortunate circumstances surrounding animals.

Rustic Volunteer Travel arranges volunteer meals, accommodations and strong field support for the duration of projects and optional travel packages. In Costa Rica, volunteers generally stay with host families and accommodations are simple and clean homes in safe neighborhoods. Volunteers usually have a private bedroom, but occasionally rooms will be shared with a same-gender volunteer. Our host families are well screened and are respected members of their communities who live in affluent neighborhoods. Most of our host families have experience with hosting international volunteers. A host family stay is a great chance for cultural immersion and exchange. Orphanage volunteers may stay at their project as many orphanages have special rooms set aside for international volunteers and these accommodations are normally shared with a same-gender volunteer.

Volunteers receive three local meals per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner). We can provide vegetarian meal options, but needs must be detailed in a volunteer's application. Snacks and beverages outside of mealtimes are not provided; however, there are local restaurants and grocery stores near the residences in which we place volunteers.  

Rustic offers unparalleled field support to volunteers to ensure a safe and rewarding experience. Once in Costa Rica, there are many layers of support for you. The most important support comes from our country coordinator/field staff. The secondary support comes from the host project staff and members of host families. Volunteers will have access to our country coordinator's mobile number and they are available 24/7. Throughout the volunteer project, our local staff stays in contact with volunteers either with face-to-face visits or via email/telephone. Our field staff will visit regularly (every 2-4 weeks) to make sure things are going well and as planned. However, if placement is far from our local offices, staff members will stay in touch via email/ phone. Volunteers are also welcome to stop in the offices at any time.

Specific details regarding accommodations, food and contact details for our local coordinator will be provided in personalized volunteer placement documentation prior to arrival.

Animal rescue projects in Costa Rica are located in Atenas. Spanish for "rich coast", Costa Rica is famously know for it coffee and for having an incredibly high level of biodiversity throughout its tropical forests. The motto commonly used in Costa Rica is "Pura Vida" (literally "Pure Life"). History proclaims that its birth is essentially the point where the Mesoamerican and South American native cultures met, explaining its rich diverse background. It's full of contrasts: from traditional culture and history to modern urban infrastructure and much of the amenities you would expect from a city. Volunteers can organize different possible excursions during and after the project to visit places of interest. There is a tourist infrastructure already in place the volunteer can use during weekends. For example: waterfalls, eco-tourism, cloud forest reserve, whitewater kayaking/rafting, national parks, volcanoes, beaches, hotels, and many more.

Rustic Volunteer Travel offers a variety of volunteer projects and travel packages in Costa Rica. You can customize or upgrade our itineraries to meet your specific interests. Please contact your travel advisor for more details.