Question 1

Is this experience really free?

Accepted Answer

Yes, completely. There is no booking fee, no entry charge and no payment required at any point. Sneha's Care offers this volunteering day as a community programme, and Swotah facilitates the transport and coordination at no cost. You will not be asked to pay anything on the day. Optional donations or in-kind supplies (such as dog food, blankets or basic medical items) are always welcome for the sanctuary, but these are entirely your choice and there is no expectation or obligation.

Question 2

Do I need any experience with animals to volunteer?

Accepted Answer

No experience is needed. Sanctuary staff guide you through every activity from food preparation to dog-walking, and they match you with animals at a suitable level. Some dogs at Sneha's Care are in early recovery or have trauma histories, so staff introduce you carefully and explain appropriate handling before you start. You do not need to have owned a dog or have any veterinary knowledge. A calm, patient manner and a genuine interest in the animals' wellbeing are the only real requirements.

Question 3

Do I need a rabies or tetanus vaccination before visiting?

Accepted Answer

Current rabies and tetanus vaccinations are strongly recommended. Kathmandu has a large street-dog population and, while Sneha's Care maintains the health of its animals, some arrive with unknown vaccination histories. The risk of a bite or scratch at any animal-handling facility is real, however careful you are. Consult your doctor or a travel health clinic at least 4 to 6 weeks before your visit so that any vaccination course can be completed in time. If you have not had a pre-exposure rabies vaccination and you are scratched or bitten, seek medical attention in Kathmandu immediately; post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is available in the city.

Question 4

Is this suitable for children and families?

Accepted Answer

Yes, families are welcome. Children who are calm around animals and can follow basic safety instructions from sanctuary staff can participate fully. Younger children (under about 8 years old) should stay close to an adult at all times given the size and energy of some of the dogs. The sanctuary team will advise which animals are most suitable for children to interact with on the day. This is a positive, educational experience for children interested in animal welfare and the realities of rescue work.

Question 5

Can I adopt a dog from Sneha's Care?

Accepted Answer

International adoption is possible but involves a formal process separate from the volunteering day itself. Sneha's Care manages adoption inquiries directly, and the process includes an application, a home assessment where applicable, veterinary certification, microchipping and the documentation required for international travel. If you meet a dog at the sanctuary and are seriously interested in adoption, speak to the staff on the day and they will explain the steps. Swotah does not manage adoption logistics but can point you to Sneha's Care's contact channels.

Question 6

How do I book this volunteering day?

Accepted Answer

Contact Swotah through the enquiry form on this page or by email, specifying your preferred date and the number of people in your group. Because the experience is coordinated with Sneha's Care, it is best to book at least 3 to 5 days in advance so the sanctuary can plan staffing and activities for your visit. Swotah will confirm the booking, send the Jawalakhel pickup details and provide a pre-visit information note covering what to wear and what to bring.

Question 7

What group size is suitable?

Accepted Answer

The experience works for individuals, pairs, families and small groups. A practical upper limit is around 8 to 10 people per session, both to keep the experience manageable for the sanctuary staff and to ensure the animals are not overwhelmed by large numbers of unfamiliar visitors at once. If you have a larger group, contact Swotah to discuss options; it may be possible to arrange split sessions or a customised group visit.

Question 8

What is included and what is not included?

Accepted Answer

Included: private pickup from Jawalakhel, Lalitpur; return transfer to Jawalakhel at the end of the day; sanctuary orientation; guided volunteering activities with sanctuary staff throughout the day. Not included: lunch or meals (bring your own food if needed, or plan to eat before or after); personal travel insurance; any optional donations or supplies you choose to bring for the animals.

Question 9

Can I donate or bring supplies, and what does Sneha's Care need?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and donations are one of the most direct ways to support the sanctuary. Because this experience is entirely free, there is no trip cost to base a percentage on; instead, consider bringing in-kind supplies on the day or making a financial donation to Sneha's Care directly. Items the sanctuary uses daily include dry dog food, old blankets and towels, veterinary-grade antiseptic, basic medical supplies such as bandages and gauze, and sturdy feeding bowls. Financial donations can be made through Sneha's Care's own channels, which the staff will share on the day. Even a small bag of dog food brought along makes a practical difference when the sanctuary feeds more than 150 dogs every day.

Question 10

What activities will I actually do at the sanctuary?

Accepted Answer

The day typically covers four types of activity, guided by sanctuary staff. First, food preparation and feeding: you help portion and distribute food for the dogs and farm animals, learning which individuals have special dietary needs. Second, dog-walking and socialisation: staff match you with dogs that are ready for walks and gentle human company, particularly those benefiting from regular exercise and contact. Third, basic care and cleaning: feeding areas, water bowls and enclosures need daily maintenance, and volunteers assist with these tasks. Fourth, calm companionship: simply sitting with and gently interacting with dogs that benefit from positive human presence. The exact programme on the day is flexible and depends on which animals need attention.

Question 11

How long is the day and what is the schedule?

Accepted Answer

The pickup from Jawalakhel typically takes place in the morning. After a 20 to 30 minute drive you arrive at the sanctuary for an orientation of around 20 to 30 minutes. Hands-on volunteering runs for approximately 3 to 4 hours. The return transfer departs mid to late morning or early afternoon depending on the programme. Total time from pickup to return drop-off is roughly 5 to 6 hours. Swotah will confirm the exact schedule when your booking is confirmed, as timing can vary by season and sanctuary needs.

Question 12

What should I do if I am bitten or scratched by an animal?

Accepted Answer

If a dog or other animal bites or scratches you, act immediately: wash the wound thoroughly with soap and clean water for at least 15 minutes, then apply an antiseptic. Inform the sanctuary staff straight away so they can note the incident and advise on the animal's health status. Seek medical attention in Kathmandu the same day. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for rabies is available at hospitals and clinics in Kathmandu and should be started as soon as possible after any bite that breaks the skin, regardless of whether you have had a pre-exposure vaccination. Do not wait to see if symptoms develop before seeking care. Having current pre-exposure rabies vaccination significantly simplifies post-bite treatment and reduces the number of PEP doses required.

Question 13

What hygiene precautions should I follow?

Accepted Answer

Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly after handling animals, after cleaning tasks, and before eating or touching your face. Hand sanitiser is a useful supplement throughout the day but does not replace soap and water, particularly after direct animal contact. Avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes while working with the animals. Wear old clothes that cover your arms and legs to reduce skin exposure. If you have any open wounds or skin conditions on your hands, cover them with a waterproof plaster before working with the animals and consider wearing disposable gloves, which the sanctuary can often provide. These precautions keep both you and the animals safe.

Free Dog Rescue Volunteering Day with Sneha’s Care

About the Free Dog Rescue Volunteering Day with Sneha’s Care

Highlights

Free one-day volunteering at Sneha's Care in Lalitpur, no booking fee

Feed and care for more than 150 rescued dogs and farm animals

Walk and socialise dogs recovering from trauma and injury

Open to animal lovers, families, solo travellers, no experience needed

Learn about Kathmandu's animal-welfare work from sanctuary staff

Private pickup from Jawalakhel included; optional donations welcome