Tag Archives: animal lover

See what it’s like to volunteer at Sneha’s Care in Nepal

If you haven’t been to the colorful, yet chaotic city of Kathmandu, Nepal, add it to your bucket list.  Not only does it offer a memorable holiday with its beautiful cultural landmarks, historical sites and endless adventures, but travelers have the chance to give back in an ethical way by helping street dogs.

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The street dog population continues to increasingly grow in Nepal and while government officials aren’t doing much to help the situation, some locals are stepping up to help protect the animals.  Sneha’s Care was established in 2014 by animal activist Sneha Shrestha to help protect the estimated 25,000 stray dogs from cruelty and abuse. The team not only campaigns to introduce animal welfare laws, but they’re actively educating the public about responsible pet ownership and animal rights.

The shelter is staffed with people who care for the 160 dogs currently living at Sneha’s Care, but also needs volunteers to do a variety of projects like cleaning the shelter, feeding the dogs, taking them on walks, washing their dishes and giving them lots of love and attention. You can also do IT and art projects as well. In addition, Sneha’s Care is also in need of skilled volunteers with a veterinarian background.

Volunteer housing with Wi-Fi is offered for $150 a week. Three vegetarian meals a day, drinking water and transportation to and from the shelter is included. Volunteers are expected to work 6 days a week from 10:00AM to 5:00PM and it’s strongly recommended to get the rabies vaccine beforehand.

Watch the vlog on what it’s like to volunteer at Sneha’s Care and you’ll see it’s hard, dirty work, but the dogs will love you for taking good care of them!

For more information visit SnehaCare.org.

By Heather Newgen

How Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O’Connell teach their kids to give back

Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O’Connell have always advocated for animal rights and now teaching their kids to do so as well.

By: Heather Newgen

Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O’Connell are not only devoted parents to their twin girls Dolly and Charlie, but to a house full of pets as well.

“We are avid animal rescuers. It’s a real passion for us. Animals are front and center in our lives. We’re very much outnumbered by pets to people in our home,” Romijn told The Voluntourist at the Humane Society Gala in New York, which she co-hosted with her husband.

Rebecca Romijn Rebecca Romijn, Jerry O’Connell speak on stage at the Humane Society of the United States To the Rescue! (Larry Busacca/Invision for The Humane Society of the United States/AP Images)

The couple, who currently have five dogs and one cat, revealed how their love for animals has been passed on to their girls.

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“Most of them are fosters. We got an email from a local adoption organization who said please take this dog. The clock is ticking so so said we’d take it temporarily and that was about 7 years ago,” O’Connell joked.

“Our kids are already getting involved in animal rescue. They’ve been helping out with adoption events on weekends and loving it. They’ve really taken to it. They know a lot of their job is to pick up after the dogs. That’s what the gig is,” Romijn said.

“I’m sorry to say they haven’t adopted a dog out yet,  but they go to sites and set up the cages,” O’Connell  said, but “they sit in the pins with like six dogs and they walk around with them. It’s the cutest I’ve ever seen,” Romijn gushed.

She added, the problem is the attitude in our family is why we can’t take them all in and Jerry has to pull us back sometimes. I used to say that to my mom as a kid and my girls inherited that from me. “Why do we have to stop at 5 dogs. There’s like 10 more who need homes.” To be honest Jerry might not even notice if I bring another home, the “X-Men” star laughed.

The Hollywood actors are thrilled to see their children so involved in animal rescue efforts.

“It’s so amazing that our kids are understanding there’s no greater feeling than giving back. It’s so great to see them so into it so young. I’m really proud of our kids. It’s really exciting to see.”

The Humane Society of the United States Raises Over 2 Million Dollars at “To the Rescue!” New York 10th Anniversary Gala and Rebecca Romijn encouraged people to adopt.

“Whatever your dream dog is it’s out there. If there’s a specific breed you’ve had your heart set on they’re a full breed dog out there that’s waiting for a home.”

Reporting by: Neil Frias