FAQs Cambodia Cat and Dog Welfare Project

Cambodia Cat and Dog Welfare FAQs

Cambodia has four seasons. 1. November to February, cool and dry. 2. March to May, hot and dry. 3. June to August, hot and wet. 4. September to October, cool and wet. The hot season rarely reaches above 35C and the cool season may go as low as 20C. The monsoon rains follow a regular pattern of 1 to 3 hours of rain in the afternoon making them easy to plan around. Dry season can be dusty and in the wet season the countryside becomes spectacularly green. For more information on when to visit Cambodia please see When is the best time of year to volunteer in Cambodia blog?
Globalteer's main office for South East Asia is in Siem Reap. You can see who you will meet there on our meet the team page.
Yes, in fact we actively encourage it! Cambodia is a beautiful country and we wish you to experience it's culture, history and people. Our co-ordinator will give advice and help arrange trips for you to the attractions around Phnom Penh.
Volunteer generally work between 4 to 5 hours a day depending on the needs of the project at the time. Volunteers usually work Monday - Friday in the mornings.
You need to be able to speak English as this will be the common language at the project. English does not need to be your first language but you will need to be proficient in English to be able to understand instructions from the project staff.
The majority of volunteers are from the UK, United States, Canada and Australia. We also place volunteers from Holland, Germany, Ireland, Japan and New Zealand although all nationalities are welcome. The majority of volunteers travel alone to the projects, although we also accommodate couples and groups. The project can have anything from 2-20 volunteers at any one time of all ages and nationalities. The project usually has a great range of ages present in Cambodia 18-24(36%), 25-39(39%), 40+(25%).
There is WiFi in the volunteer accommodation. You can also purchase a local sim from the airport when you arrive or from many places around Siem Reap. Just make sure your phone is unlocked before you leave home.
Volunteers at the Siem Reap Projects can choose from a range of accommodation options including our very own Volunteer House, a standard hotel room and upgrade hotel room. All of our accommodations are clean, comfortable and safe and well located for transport to the project as well as the Globalteer's office
Food is only included for those staying at the volunteer house. The food is basic but plentiful. There are many restaurants in Siem Reap catering to tourists.
Of course, but we request that you use common sense. Excessive drinking is not acceptable at the volunteer accommodation. Volunteers there are many bars and nightclubs throughout the city for those who wish to have a drink.
The currency in Cambodia is the Cambodian Riel although US dollars are widely used. In Siem Reap you will use mostly US dollars with the Cambodian Riel being used a very small change. Many ATMs are available in Siem Reap for all major credit cards. US dollars have to be in good condition to use in Cambodia, no ripped notes! Credit cards are accepted in higher end businesses.
Cambodia is a very safe and friendly destination but, as always when travelling you must take the usual precautions to make sure you stay safe. Common sense and knowledge is the key phrase, and on arrival you will have an orientation meeting to advise you of any precautions you need to take. Most visits to Cambodia are completely trouble free. For more information, visit our International Travel Advice Page
We recommend that you let your health professional know that you will be volunteering with animals and discuss the various vaccination options. Rabies vaccine is required for this project. For more information, visit our International Travel Advice Page
Finding the right insurance to cover your travels can be daunting, confusing and time-consuming, however – travel insurance is a must. You never know what could happen, and if you are unlucky enough to get ill or find yourself in a sticky situation, being uninsured can be really expensive and downright dangerous. This is why we strongly recommend that all our volunteers take out suitable travel insurance. We also recommend that your purchase your insurance and soon as you book your trip to cover you for all up-front costs in the event of cancellation due to any unforeseen circumstances. Globalteer has formed a partnership with a leading travel insurance provider to help you through this process.
Please visit our page about visas for information about entry visas.
Yes, Cambodia is a conservative country and we ask that you respect them by dressing accordingly. The basic rule is to cover your knees and shoulders. T-shirts, sandals and anything that covers the knees are all acceptable. Comfortable and covered shoes are required while working at the project.
Cambodians are very friendly and a smile will go a long way. Be respectful to elders. Shouting, or public displays of over emotion are impolite. Remove shoes before entering a temple or someone's home. Dress respectfully, especially when visiting temples. Do not point at someone with your finger or naked foot, do not touch people's heads. For women, it is forbidden to touch a monk or even brush past his clothes. A woman may not directly pass anything to a monk, she must place it on a table for him to pick up.
No, a love of animals is the main qualification. You will be given guidance and training, and will initially be supervised by the project staff and work with the experienced volunteers. If you are a vet or a veterinary student please let us know in your application.
Yes, on arrival you will receive orientation from the project coordinator, giving local information and advice. Training will be given at the project on the volunteer duties. Volunteers work with the local staff and volunteer coordinator.
If you arrive at Siem Reap international airport then we will meet you there and take you to your accommodation. If you arrive overland then we will supply you with directions to the guest house and meet you there.
Globalteer is fully committed to ensuring that your volunteer placement is responsible. More information can be found on our Responsible Volunteering Page.
As a UK registered Charity, Globalteer is financially transparent, our accounts are independently audited and posted online. You can read a full report on where your money goes here.
We understand what motivates volunteers and what makes a memorable volunteer experience. We have been placing volunteers at our projects since 2006 and have built up a wealth of knowledge in those years about what makes volunteering rewarding for volunteers as well as impactful for the fantastic projects we work with. You can read here why we think you should choose Globalteer.