Carriacou Animal Hospital - Worldwide Veterinary Service

Carriacou Animal Hospital
Volunteer Information Pack
Project Summary
Charity Assisting:
Carriacou Animal Hospital
Location:
Carriacou, Grenada, West Indies
Project Dates:
Exact dates are flexible. Please submit your
preferred volunteer dates on your application
form.
Volunteers Required:
Qualified veterinarians with a minimum of one year
post qualification experience.
Qualified veterinary nurses.
Places Available:
2 vets; 2 vet nurses
Cost:
£800 (flights/transport costs)
Background Information
Carriacou Animal Hospital is run as an independent nonprofit organization and provides the ONLY qualified
veterinary care on the island of Carriacou.
The hospital is located on the Airport Road just outside the
main village of Hillsborough. This area is also known as
Lauriston Beach.
The Animal hospital is a low cost out-patient treatment centre
offering preventative health care including: vaccinations,
worming and treatments for mange, fleas, ticks, wounds,
infections, ear mites and other diseases. They also offer
affordable spay and neuter surgeries. They are staffed by
volunteer vets/vet nurses, and a full time veterinary nurse.
Their popular Volunteer Vet Program attracts vets from all
over the world who return time and time again to experience the friendly welcome and appreciation they receive from the
people whose animals they have helped in Carriacou.
The hospital is located right on Lauriston beach and within walking distance to shops and restaurants. A beachside
bungalow is located on the same site for accommodation for volunteers.
Project Details – What to expect
Volunteers will be working in the Carriacou Animal Hospital carrying
out routine spaying and neutering of local cats and dogs. They will
also be expected to carry out general veterinary medical procedures,
and basic tasks such as vaccinations and parasite control.
The island does not have a local vet but is under the authority of the
Chief Veterinary Officer of Grenada. Volunteers will work alongside
the hospital manager who is also an experienced veterinary nurse.
Expected working hours will vary, but there will be plenty of free time
to explore the island and its many facets.
Volunteers are required to commit to two weeks minimum with the
maximum length of time being flexible.
For more detailed description on what to expect please read the
volunteer write up on the WVS website (copy available on pdf on
request).
Accommodation
Volunteers will be accommodated in a beachside bungalow located on the
same site as the hospital. The completely furnished accommodation includes
kitchen, living room, two bedrooms and one bathroom. Extra mattresses can
be put on the floor to accommodate larger groups.
Meals are NOT provided; accommodation is on a self-catering basis. There
are restaurants on either side of the hospital and the main town of
Hillsborough, with shops & all other amenities, is only ½ a mile away.
Flights & Travel
A return flight to Grenada, Point Salines International Airport (new name is
Maurice Bishop International Airport), from London is expected to cost
around £750 depending on the time of year as Grenada is a popular tourist
destination.
From there it is possible to either catch a 90min ferry or a 20min flight to
Carriacou. Whichever option you choose you are sure to have an exciting
trip filled with breathtaking views of the islands!
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St. Vincent Grenadines Air (SVG Air) operates daily flights between Grenada's Point Salines International Airport
and Carriacou's Lauriston Airport. The 20 minute flight is EC $124 (£29.50) one-way or EC $245 (£58) return,
with 2 morning and 2 afternoon departures (except on Thursdays). (See http://www.svgair.com/ for more
information)
The “Osprey” which is a ferry from St George’s to
Carriacou operates daily from the Queen's Jetty on the
Carenage (opposite the Fire Station) departing at 9am or
5:30pm. The 90-minute journey travels along Grenada's
scenic west coast passing the small islets between Grenada
and Carriacou and arriving in Hillsborough. Tickets cost
EC $80 (£19) one-way or EC $160 (£38) return per person.
(See
http://www.ospreylines.com/
for
more
information). Volunteers are responsible for their own transport
from Grenada Airport to the Queen’s Jetty if they choose to go by
ferry – using local transport (taxi/bus).
From the airport or jetty in Carriacou it is ½ a mile down Airport Road to the Animal Hospital. A member of Carriacou
Animal Hospital will meet you on arrival at Lauriston airport or the jetty in Hillsborough.
Volunteers are responsible for their own transport to and from the airport in their own country of residence.As volunteers of Worldwide
Veterinary Service you are eligible for discounted travel – when travelling on behalf of or at the invitation of this charity.
Diversity Travel can offer you options on travel that best suit your needs; taking into consideration local departure airports,
preferred routes and carriers, and any other personal preferences you may have. Charity fares can
be held for months at a time and don’t require a deposit – giving you the greatest flexibility to
forward plan your trip.
To find out more about charity fares please visit the following link:
http://www.diversitytravel.co.uk/charity/charityfares.html
Contact the Diversity Travel team on 0161 235 5400
You will need to state that you are volunteering for Worldwide Veterinary Service and wish to
make a booking through the ‘WVS Members’ account.
Kit & other useful Info
What to take:
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Rain jacket
Insect repellent (Dengue fever, transmitted by mosquitoes,
has been reported in Grenada)
Sunscreen
Hat
Swim/beach wear
Beach towel
Snorkelling gear
Sandals
Walking shoes
Loose fitting, cotton clothing, shorts
Can be cool in the evenings so bring a light jacket & trousers
Carriacou is one of the 3 islands making up Grenada, however, where the island of Grenada can feel touristy and busy;
you’ll struggle to ever feel that way in Carriacou. This beautiful little island is thankfully off the radar of most travellers,
leaving its green hills and white beaches ripe for discovery. The island itself is joy to experience with some tremendous
hiking to be found and some hidden beaches that are destined to make your all time best of list. Water sports are the main
attraction in Carriacou. You can enjoy snorkelling, diving, sailing along with beach BBQ's on White Island and trips to
Sandy Island and the Tobago Cays.
Approximately 108,132 people inhabit Grenada, including the 6,521 inhabitants of
Carriacou and Petite Martinique. The nation's citizens are primarily of African, EastIndian and European descent, with the largest proportion of the population of African
descent. Grenada is an English-speaking nation.
Average temperatures range from 75°F to 85°F (24°C to 30°C), tempered by the steady and
cooling trade winds. The lowest temperatures occur between Nov and Feb. The rainy
season is from June to December but it rarely rains for more than an hour at a time and
generally not every day.
The Eastern Caribbean Dollar, linked to the US Dollar, is the local currency.
Electrical current is 230 volts, 50 Hz. British three-prong plugs are used.
Visas
You must hold a valid passport but a visa is not required from citizens of the US, Canada, UK, British Commonwealth,
most Caribbean countries, most European countries, South Korea, and Japan for up to 3 months (for British citizens up to
6 months).
Health & vaccinations
This information should be used as a guide only. For up to date information on immunisations please consult your doctor.
Please note that some vaccinations can take several weeks to become effective so do not leave this until the last minute.
Recommended vaccines:
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Hepatitis A & B
Typhoid
Tetanus
Rabies
Yellow fever if coming from a Yellow Fever infected area
Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
As you are working with animals, rabies and tetanus vaccines are essential.
Good medical care is available in Carriacou but most doctors and hospitals expect payment in cash, regardless of travel
health insurance.
Travel Insurance
It is essential that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance for
this project that will also cover you for working with animals. We
recommend Go Walkabout as they offer tailor made policies
specifically for WVS volunteers.
Website: www.go-walkabout.com (click on the WVS button on the right hand side)
Telephone: 0845 345 0327
Email: wvs@go-walkabout.co.uk
Please note that WVS volunteers are also entitled to a discount on this policy.
Cotswold Outdoors – Volunteer Discount Voucher
WVS and Cotswold Outdoor have teamed up and we are pleased to
offer all WVS volunteers a 10% discount valid in all of their stores
nationwide.
If you do not live near a store, then you can use your discount at the
online shop www.cotswoldoutdoor.com
Useful Links
http://www.wordtravels.com - Word Travels website
www.lonelyplanet.com - Useful travel information
http://www.grenadagrenadines.com/ - Grenada Tourist Office
http://www.mdtravelhealth.com – Useful travel health website updated daily
http://www.fco.gov.uk – The Foreign and Commonwealth Office for useful travel & health information
http://www.carriacouanimalclinic.com - The charity website