AWARE

The AWARE shelter was founded in 2000 by Xenii Nielsen. It is a non-profit and non-governmental charitable organization which was registered in 1998.

The shelter is located in the highland forests of Guatemala, at an altitude of about 2300 meters (7500 feet) and is located 45 minutes by bus from Antigua Guatemala. It is situated in a village called Pachaj, (15 minutes walk from the village) and Sumpango, which has Internet facilities, a market, and a bank.

AWARE dedicates itself to providing shelter to domestic animals from the street. All animals that are not adopted remain at the shelter and are well taken care of.

The purpose of the shelter is to rescue and rehabilitate domestic animals, and to provide animals with a permanent castration and sterilization clinic. Sometimes they also rescue wild animals. Future plans include the construction of a center to provide free nature programs to local children. At the moment, shelter educational program include visits to schools, colleges, and sometimes to homes in and around Antigua and Guatemala City.

Currently, AWARE cares for about 265 animals, all of which receive excellent care and attention. The shelters schedule is from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and volunteers can select a schedule that fits their needs. There are many activities are offered throughout the day, for example:

Dogs:

• bathing
• brushing
• obedience training
• medicating
• cleaning cages
• walking
• socializing

Cats:

• brushing
• medicating
• clearing the cages
• socializing

Educational programs in local schools – must be fluent in Spanish language.

Helping in spay/neuter clinics by going to villages and helping with the rabies programs.

Any other knowledge will be a great help to the project as they are always constructing and renovating the areas where the animals are kept. Volunteers need to be responsible and self-motivated, use of drugs are not tolerated. If a volunteer wants to live in AWARE, he/she needs to stay at least 2 weeks, but if he/she lives somewhere else he/she is welcome from the very first day.

Qualified veterinaries are always very welcome; there is a local, well equipped clinic with operating facilities (sterilization and castration) and laboratory equipment for basic and general diagnostics.

AWARE will be happy to receive financial donations and utensils including metal plates for food, flea treatment medication, towels, blankets, construction material (new or used), medical instruments and veterinary equipment as well as used clothes or other articles for their private market.