Free Dog Rescue Volunteering Day with Sneha’s Care

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A free one-day volunteering experience at Sneha's Care in Lalitpur: feed, walk and care for more than 150 rescued dogs and farm animals in the Kathmandu Valley.

Duration
1 Days
Max Altitude
1,400 m / 4,593 ft
Difficulty
Easy
Group Size
Max 20 trekkers
Region
Kathmandu Valley Treks, Nepal
Best Season
Spring · Autumn
Accommodation
No overnight; single-day experience
Meals
Bring water; lunch not included
Transport
Private pickup from Jawalakhel, Lalitpur
Trip Overview

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

The Free Dog Rescue Volunteering Day with Sneha's Care is a one-day, no-cost experience in the Kathmandu Valley where you join the team at Sneha's Care animal sanctuary in Lalitpur to help feed, walk and socialise rescued dogs and other farm animals. Sneha's Care is a Kathmandu animal-welfare sanctuary founded in 2014 by animal activist Sneha Shrestha, and it is home to more than 150 rescued street dogs as well as cattle, buffaloes, goats, pigs and a sheep.

The day begins with a private pickup from Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, followed by an orientation at the sanctuary explaining its rescue and rehabilitation programme. Hands-on activities include preparing and distributing animal food, walking and socialising dogs (many are recovering from trauma or injury), and helping with basic cleaning and care routines. No prior animal-handling experience is required; the sanctuary team guides you through each task at a comfortable pace suited to the animals' needs.

This experience is open to animal lovers, families with older children, solo travellers and groups. The sanctuary sits at roughly 1,400 m in the Kathmandu Valley, so there is no altitude concern. It runs year-round, with spring and autumn the most pleasant weather. The sections below cover what to expect on the day, pickup logistics, what to bring, and how to support Sneha's Care through optional donations or supplies.

Last updated June 2026

Trip Highlights

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

Day by Day

Full 1-day itinerary

Tap any day to expand — altitudes, walking times, meals, and overnight details for every stage of the journey.

What’s included

What's included

Every cost on the trail is broken out below — no hidden fees, no surprises at the trailhead.

Included

8 items

  • Pick-up and drop-off from jawalakhel
  • Full-day volunteering at Sneha’s Care Animal Sanctuary
  • Orientation by Sneha’s Care staff
  • Hands-on experience with animal care and rescue
  • Interaction with street dogs and farm animals
  • All necessary materials for volunteering tasks
  • Opportunities to learn about animal welfare and advocacy
  • Certificate of participation (optional)

Not included

3 items

  • Personal donations to Sneha’s Care (optional but encouraged)
  • Personal expenses (e.g.,lunch, snacks, beverages)
  • Transportation outside the designated pick-up/drop-off location

How hard is this trek?

This is an easy, hands-on day at ground level in the Kathmandu Valley. Activities include feeding animals, walking dogs and helping with basic care. No fitness level or prior experience is required. Suitable for most ages.

Easy. A hands-on day at 1,400 m in Lalitpur. Feeding, dog-walking and care tasks. No fitness requirement. Suitable for families and solo travellers.
Overall Rating
2
Easy
out of 10 · physical effort scale
Max altitude1,400 m
Trekking days1 days
Trip Details

Everything you need to know

In-depth guides on accommodation, food, permits, insurance and special considerations — tap any topic to expand.

Sneha's Care is a non-profit animal-welfare sanctuary in Lalitpur founded in 2014 by Sneha Shrestha. It rescues, treats and rehabilitates street dogs and farm animals, and it currently cares for more than 150 rescued dogs as well as cattle, buffaloes, goats, pigs and a sheep. Many of the dogs arrive with injuries, disease or trauma from life on Kathmandu's streets.

Your day begins with pickup from Jawalakhel and a short orientation at the sanctuary. The hands-on programme covers preparing and distributing food for the dogs and farm animals, walking and socialising dogs that benefit from human contact and gentle exercise, and helping with basic cleaning and care of the spaces. Sanctuary staff guide you through every task; they tailor the work to what suits the animals that day, so the programme is flexible. The day wraps up at the sanctuary before your return transfer.

What to pack

What to pack

The full kit list. Anything we loan (sleeping bag, down jacket) is called out — bring everything else.

    • Small daypack or tote bag
    • Reusable bag for donation supplies
Frequently Asked

Questions & Answers

Everything trekkers ask before booking. Don't see yours? Tap Enquire — we usually reply within a few hours.

  • 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.
Why Travel with Swotah

Eight reasons to book with us

Most Nepal operators look the same from the outside. Here's what actually makes the difference.

  • Born in Nepal

    100% locally owned since 2016. Trek profits support Sherpa families and village schools directly.

  • Guaranteed Departures

    Every date on our calendar runs — no minimum group size. You never pay to be cancelled.

  • Certified Guides

    NATHM-licensed, WFR-certified, English-speaking. Most were born within two valleys of the trail.

  • Small Groups

    Small groups, typically 6–8 trekkers. You get a real experience, not a convoy.

  • Gear Included

    Sleeping bag and down jacket loaned at no extra charge — both rated to –20°C.

  • Flexible Payment

    Deposit from 10% to confirm, balance before departure or in cash on arrival. Reschedule up to 30 days prior.

  • 24/7 Support

    Kathmandu office and dedicated WhatsApp emergency line. We answer at 2am if needed.

  • Hall of Fame

    TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice 2023, 2024 and 2025. Hundreds of verified five-star reviews.

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