Galapagos Islands – Small Groups Oct – Dec 2025 - World Vets - to improve the quality of life of animals, people & the environments in which they live by providing veterinary...

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Small Groups May-December 2025

World Vets is opening 2025 registrations for you to bring your own small group (up to 3 people) to work together with local vets at our small animal clinic in the Galapagos Islands! Individuals or small teams can spend one or more weeks helping to run our community clinic in San Cristobal. This is not a high-volume sterilization campaign, although spay/neuter surgeries will be included. There will also be opportunity to support World Vets’ wildlife rescue program by participating in beach surveys.

Our goal is to help protect the biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands while providing essential veterinary services, including medical consults and sterilization surgeries, for the resident dog and cat population. World Vets will be working in cooperation with local government agency ABG (Agencia de Regulación y Control de la Bioseguridad para Galápagos), the municipality of San Cristobal GAD, and the Galapagos National Park.

Veterinarians may participate individually, or form teams comprised of 2-3 people. Each group will be open for 1 to 2 vets, 1 or more techs (either licensed or non-licensed), as well as students (vet, pre-vet, and tech), general assistants, and/or Spanish/English translators. Each group must include one veterinarian at the minimum who is competent with surgery.

How much will it cost?

The project fee associated with this veterinary volunteer opportunity is $1975 USD per person per week. Teams will be able to reserve a specific time slot(s) by submitting a $400 nonrefundable deposit. If your volunteer team wishes to add additional days or weeks to their volunteering time, there are options for discounted trip fees for those extra days (please inquire by sending an email to info@worldvets.org). A registration and payment link will be provided for the volunteers in your group, which they will need to complete within 10 days. We suggest assembling your team prior to the first sign-up. Please ensure you do not have any scheduling conflicts that may impact your participation as deposits and project fees are non-refundable and/or non-transferrable to other trips and/or persons.

What’s included in the Project:

World Vets logo scrub top, volunteer kit, pre – trip planning and coordination per the project itinerary, accommodations during the official project dates, airport transfers in San Cristobal per established meeting times on official arrival/departure days, ground transportation related to veterinary work, a group excursion/activity, veterinary and volunteer permissions and authorizations, as well as all supplies and full participation on the project. The apartment where the team will stay will be stocked with food for self-made breakfasts (eggs, bread/pastries, yogurt, coffee, juice, fruit, granola, etc.)

What’s NOT included:

International/domestic airfare*, any meals not specified, optional excursions, travelers’ insurance, health insurance, World Vets membership fee, required travel documentation to enter/exit Ecuador (i.e. a passport that does not expire for at least 6 months from your initial date of travel, visa if applicable), incidentals and anything not specifically outlined as included.

*Go to the “Itinerary” tab above for more information about booking flights and reserving an overnight hotel in Quito.

Volunteer Permits for Galapagos

We will need to submit volunteer permissions for this project and will require your flight itinerary. Upon approval, each volunteer will be supplied with a passer-by certificate that waives the $200 Galapagos Park entrance fee and allows them to legally volunteer in Galapagos. Please plan to bring cash for the $20 transit control card and an extra $15 for the access fee to enter Galapagos. You must enter on a volunteer permit (not a tourist visa) to participate in the project. To obtain passer-by certificates, we will need a high-quality copy of your passport ID page (png or jpg preferred), and vet license (if applicable), as well as the following information:

International Arrival Date + Flight # + Arrival Time
Galapagos Arrival Date + Flight # + Arrival Time
Galapagos Departure Date + Flight # + Departure Time

After you register, you will receive a link to upload your information. Please keep in mind when booking your flights that volunteer permits will only allow you to arrive and depart within the set project dates. All members of your group need to arrive and depart on the same days. If you have further questions about this, please inquire at trips@worldvets.org. Don’t delay in booking your flights and sending your information, as we will need all information about 4-6 weeks in advance of the project start date.

World Vets Galapagos Veterinary Clinic, San Cristobal Island

What will I be doing?

This is a small animal veterinary service project. For this particular project, World Vets’ volunteer team can expect to participate in daily clinic activities, conduct health consultations, administer preventative care, perform sterilizations and other types of surgeries, and treat injuries or disease on a case-by-case basis. We also include the option for beach monitoring during the mornings to support the wildlife rapid response network.

Veterinarians

As a veterinarian, you may be involved in the following:

Conducting health consultations, which may include preventative care, medical diagnosis, and/or treatment
Performing dog and cat sterilization surgeries (proficiency in sterilization is required for vets who volunteer in May and June)
Performing other surgeries that may be deemed necessary on a case-by-case basis (based on your comfort level and/or ability)
Providing instruction for your small group team members or local pet owners

The veterinarian volunteer category may be filled by a licensed DVM who is both competent and comfortable in performing routine surgeries and medical diagnoses. PLEASE NOTE: We will require copies of veterinary licenses for veterinarians volunteering on this project.

Veterinary Technicians (Licensed and Non-Licensed) | Veterinary Nurses

As a veterinary technician, you will lead and/or be involved in:

Assisting with physical examinations, blood draws, clinical testing, and medication administration,
Preparing patients for surgery (surgical prep, catheterization, monitoring vitals, administering pre-med/induction)
Administering, monitoring, and managing the anesthesia given to surgical patients
Monitoring surgical patient recovery and administering post-op care
Assisting the clinic team with any other daily clinic activities

The “Tech” volunteer category may be filled by an experienced and competent veterinary technician, whether licensed or unlicensed. Please note, proficiency in core tech skills (e.g., IV catheter placement, blood draws, patient monitoring, drug administration, etc.) are essential in this position. Veterinary technicians should specify their veterinary title and related animal experience during registration.

Students

As a veterinary student, pre-veterinary student, and/or veterinary technician student, you may be involved in any of the following activities:

Animal handling and restraint (mostly dogs and cats),
Assisting with prepping patients for surgery (expressing bladders, assisting with catheter placement, shaving and sterilizing surgical field, positioning patient for the surgeon),
Assisting a veterinarian in surgery, cleaning up surgical area for the next patient, and/or observing surgery,
Monitoring patients after surgery, administering appropriate post-op medications under vet/tech supervision, and providing grooming for patients.

The “Student” volunteer category may be filled by veterinary students, pre–veterinary students, and veterinary technology students. When registering, please classify your position on the registration form to reflect the student type that you are filling.

Translators

As a translator, you may be involved in any of the following activities:

Communicating with clients during registration to facilitate patient check-in
Assisting during medical consults to obtain patient histories and translate care and treatment options
Helping to explain and clarify post-surgery care instructions to clients
Providing additional help in the capacity of an assistant (see below)

The translator category may be filled by anyone fluent in Spanish and English, whether or not they have veterinary or animal-related experience. When registering select the “Assistant/Translator” category and further classify your position on the registration form to reflect the type that you are filling.

Assistants

The assistant volunteer category is open to anyone who loves animals and wants to help. Our assistant position requires no prior experience, just a willingness to learn! Assistants often help in the post operation recovery area and in a variety of miscellaneous duties (based on your skills, experience and comfort level).

A few special notes:

Please refer to information on the US State Department website for travel to Ecuador as well as the CDC website for current information on international travel and health recommendations. Please read and fully understand the terms and conditions in the link below.

World Vets is not able to provide medical advice related to travel vaccines or other travel related medical questions. Volunteers are encouraged to consult with their family physician, nearest travel clinic and/or center for disease control regarding recommended immunizations and/or health precautions prior to the trip. It is recommended that volunteers be vaccinated for rabies for any international project, although is not a requirement for this particular project.

The gloves provided on World Vets projects are made with latex. Volunteers who have a latex allergy should plan to bring their own non-latex gloves.

Caps and masks are required to be worn by all surgeons as well as those assisting within the sterile field of the surgical patient. World Vets provides disposable caps and masks; however, volunteers have the option of using their own surgical cap and/or mask.

Groups of three volunteers who signed up together can expect to have the entire apartment reserved for their group. Otherwise, accommodations may be shared with other volunteers.

World Vets is able to accommodate vegetarians on this program. However, we will not be able to accommodate any specialty diets such as vegan, kosher and/or gluten free etc. Those who have strict dietary restrictions will need to bring their own supplements and/or snacks for the program.

We understand that sometimes unexpected things can happen to stop a volunteer being able to participate in a project. We highly recommend that you obtain travel and medical insurance for your trip. Global Rescue and MedJet are reputable providers of medical evacuation & advisory services as well as general travelers/trip cancellation insurance. You must read the policy wording to ensure the policy is a fit for your needs. Policies must be purchased prior to your initial registration in order to qualify- check with individual provider for details.

Please read and make sure you understand World Vets Terms & Conditions

For other general questions about volunteering with World Vets, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Itinerary

Before the Trip: Book Flights and Hotel

The destination airport for this project is San Cristóbal Airport in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador (Airport Code: SCY). You will need to book international flights to Mariscal Sucre Quito International Airport (Airport Code: UIO), and then domestic flights from Quito to San Cristobal via LATAM and AVIANCA airlines. Most domestic flights from Quito to San Cristobal cost between $400 and $450, year-round. You might also look into Equair, which is a new domestic airline with limited flights and days but is less expensive. Domestic flights from Quito will usually have a short layover in Guayaquil (GYE), but passengers normally stay on the same plane, so a short layover is fine (it does not usually specify it is the same plane). Alternatively, you may choose to take an international flight directly to Guayaquil (GYE), and, from there, book your flight to San Cristobal.

(Airline Tip: Use “Google flights” to search for a flight that fits your personal choices, such as departure airport, preferred airline, layover times, baggage fees, price, etc. We suggest a 3 to 4-hour layover time for any international arrivals to give yourself enough time to get through customs before any connecting flights. Once you’ve found a flight selection that you like, we recommend that you reserve it directly through the airline company, instead of a third-party website. This can help reduce issues with cancellations, refunds, and flight delays.)

Most flights to Quito arrive late PM or very early AM the following day. We recommend you book an overnight stay at the Quito Airport Wyndham hotel, a business hotel across the street from the airport with a free shuttle that runs 24 hours a day. If the Wyndham hotel is already fully booked for the dates you need, we also recommend the Holiday Inn Quito Airport hotel, which is about a 5- to 10-minute ride from the airport, using the hotel’s free shuttle service. (We’ve found the best prices can be found through travel sites like booking.com and hotels.com.) If you are booking your flight to Guayaquil, you may or may not need to book an overnight stay, depending on your arrival time. Some flights to GYE arrive late at night, and some arrive in the morning.

Arrival Day

Fly to San Cristobal Airport (Airport Code: SCY), Galapagos Islands, Ecuador with a late morning or early afternoon arrival. Upon arrival to Galapagos, volunteers will be transferred to accommodations. You will have the remainder of the day to start exploring the town and local wildlife.

[Special note: Arrival/pick up transfers will only be provided from the San Cristobal Airport. Should any volunteers arrive via boat, they will need to get themselves to housing on this date.]

Clinic Days + Orientation

On the morning of the first workday, you will meet with local World Vets staff to learn how to conduct beach surveys. You will also receive a tour of the clinic to get familiar with the small animal clinic duties.

From Monday through Friday, you will carry out beach surveys in the morning on the five local beaches and along the waterfront in town. The beach surveys will involve visually checking all the animals on the beaches and looking for injuries, entanglements, or dead animals and reporting cases to wildlife responders.

Open hours for the pet clinic are currently 10 AM to 2:30 PM on Tuesdays and Fridays, allowing for time off in the late afternoon. Wednesdays are for surgeries. Usually, the city brings patients on Wednesdays, or you can schedule patients for those days as clients come in/inquire. There is the option to work extended clinic hours if you group chooses to do so (optional).

The schedule is subject to change based on activities at the time you are there. There may be a sterilization campaign happening in which case there may be daily surgeries throughout the week that you would assist with. Flexibility is needed during the week to accommodate whatever veterinary activities are happening during the work week.

Free Day + Half-Day Excursion

A half day tour (included with your trip fee) will give you opportunity to visit the Giant Tortoises, the highlands, Puerto Chino, and El Junco (a freshwater lake in an extinct volcano)

The work and free days will vary depending on which volunteer slot you sign up for, but we can confirm the schedule with you ahead of time, so you have time to pre-book a boat or day trip tour if you choose. We highly recommend doing a “360 boat tour,” but you are free to choose and arrange your own excursions.

Departure Day and Official End of Trip

Depart Galapagos in the A.M. (San Cristobal to Quito) and arrive in Quito afternoon/early evening. Then depart Quito same day. Most flights are late evening or very early morning the next day (e.g., 12:30 am-1:30 am). Be sure to verify that the flight date is the next day if it is an early morning flight.

(Please note: the dates and schedule for workdays may be subject to change.)

Accommodations

Accommodations are provided in a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment located above the clinic. The apartment is located in a neighborhood with homes and businesses and a lively street food scene at night. It is less than a 5-minute walk from the beach and local shops and restaurants along the waterfront. Within one block you will also find a coffee shop, bakery, ice cream shop, laundry service (same day service for $1/kg), several convenience stores and a gym. The apartment has high speed internet (rare in Galapagos!).

Dine at any of the great restaurants along the waterfront or shop for fresh fruits and vegetables at the local mercado and stock up on essentials at one of the many local mini markets to prepare your own meals at home. There’s also a fish market and two organic/health food stores nearby. The kitchen has all the essentials with a gas cooktop, fridge/freezer, blender, coffee pot and all the pots, pans, dishes, glassware and utensils you will need.

Each volunteer will get their own bed. Groups of three volunteers who signed up together can expect to have the entire apartment reserved for their group. Otherwise, accommodations may be shared with other World Vets volunteers.