KAT Centre Information for Technical Volunteers
(Veterinarians, Vet Nurses/Assistants/Techs, & Vet Students)
Volunteer and become part of the KAT family!
Volunteers play an essential role in achieving our goal of making Kathmandu a city free
of animal cruelty. As a volunteer at KAT, you will have opportunities to learn different
approaches to veterinary medicine and help treat illnesses and injuries that
are uncommon in developed countries. The longer you stay, the more you will learn
and the more involved you will become. Naturally, the KAT Centre’s vets and staff need
to feel confident that animal welfare is not compromised, which is why we have the
following requirements for technical volunteers.
This information is for volunteers with a veterinary background who plan to be at
the KAT Centre for at least one week. If you plan to come to KAT for less than a
week, please contact us at katinfo@katcentre.org.np or +977-1-4377729 to
discuss how you can contribute.
Here is a simple direction to our new premises:
Budhnilkanta can be seen on the main Valley Kathmandu map on the road directly north
of Kathmandu. Look for the ‘Park Village Resort’ on the left. When you reach the resort,
continue further north a few meters. On the right hand side you will see the KAT sign.
Follow the sign down small lane until you reach KAT.
Requirements:
• Please consult with KAT’s vets before giving any medication or treatments.
• We welcome your ideas and suggestions. KAT’s volunteers have great ideas for taking
care of the animals and raising awareness. However, KAT’s vets and other staff
make the final decisions about what happens at the Centre. For the KAT Centre to be
productive and happy environment, we need volunteers to accept this. If you have any
questions or issues, please talk to the volunteer coordinator and they will do whatever
they can to find the best solution.
• All volunteers should be up to date with tetanus and rabies vaccinations. If you aren't
able to get the vaccinations before you come to Nepal, you get them in Kathmandu.
General Tips and Hints
Accommodation
Volunteer are offered a simple guest room with or without attached (western) bathroom
at the Centre @700 NRS per day. Your friends may come to visit you at the Centre for
brief periods, but they are not permitted to stay overnight in the rooms, which are
reserved for volunteers only. We do not provide accommodation for casual visitors.
Basic facilities included accommodation are :
II Meals:
All volunteers are provided with basic vegetarian lunch and dinner (a plate consists of
rice, pulses and vegetable) cooked in the local style. Volunteers may supplement the
Center’s meals with fruit etc. Volunteers should inform anyone of the office staff, if they
do not need a meal on a particular day. Volunteers may have access to a simple
kitchen.
Food Charges:
Lunch: 150 NRS
Dinner: 150 NRS
II Time Off:
The Centre is open for a week. You can take one day off in a week. Generally the
working hour is for 09.00 to 1700 but this can be discussed with the Manager.
IV Laundry
There is a laundryman nearby the Centre. He will be happy to launder and press
clothes, bed linen, towels etc. The service takes about 3 days and laundry is paid for by
item at the time of its return. It is advisable to deal with delicate and personal items
one’s self. We also have a washing machine at our premises to do basic laundry as
well.
V Telephone and Internet
The Centre does have regular (24 hrs.) internet access, however internet speed could
vary. Phone calls, although these can be made from the Centre if absolutely necessary.
Mobile phones are widely used in Nepal and are cheap and readily available. The cost
of calls from Nepalese mobiles, including those to overseas, is minimal so if you intend
to use a mobile it is definitely worthwhile purchasing a Nepalese sim card while you are
here.
V Climate
October to February in Kathmandu is the winter months and can be quite cold
especially at night (down to 2°C). Days are usually warm and sunny. Like most
accommodation in Nepal, the guest rooms have no heating, so come prepared. During
March the temperature starts to climb and in May and June the temperature hovers
between 30-35°C. When the monsoon comes (usually) at the beginning of July the
temperature begins to drop. It can be very wet.
VI What to Bring
Clothing – This should be practical and modest. During the rainy season the Centre can
be rather muddy therefore closed-toe, comfortable shoes are recommended. In the
summer sandals are the norm. In winter it can be fairly cold, especially at night, so you
will need a few sweaters. A hot water bottle may even come in handy if you feel the
cold!! Don’t leave all your smart clothes at home; you’ll probably be invited to some
social functions while you are here!
Mosquito Repellent is useful especially if out in the evenings so it’s a good idea to bring
this. Pretty much everything, from clothing (Western and Nepalese) to toiletries and
food, can be purchased in Kathmandu, so don’t feel you need to bring everything from
home. 4
For the ladies, although sanitary towels are widely available, bringing tampons and
lavatory paper is perhaps a good idea. A torch is a must, as power can occasionally be
temperamental.
VI Health and Vaccinations
Visitors must check with their doctors which vaccinations are recommended for travel to
Nepal – and make sure you are up to date with these. Rabies vaccination is a necessity
for working at KAT. A full pre-exposure primary course should be obtained before
arrival. Boosters can, if required, be obtained in Nepal. You will be unable to do any
animal work unless you are fully vaccinated.
It is your choice if you take anti-malarials. We recommend that you take advice from
your doctor before travelling. It is certainly wise to try to avoid bites by using repellent
and long trousers/sleeves in the evenings. Quality medical care is available in
Kathmandu should the need arise. No health cover or insurance of any kind is provided
by the Centre – volunteers and veterinary students undertake work at their own risk and
should consider taking out their own insurance.
VII Visas
You will require a visa. Once you have been accepted as a volunteer you will need to
consult with your embassy for the most appropriate visa for which you may apply.
Check with your home country’s Embassy which visas are available and for how long
they will be valid, and be prepared.
VIII Going Out and About
In your extra time you will probably want to see the sights of Kathmandu.
Microbus (Number 5) can easily be caught from near the Centre and can take you
straight into the City Centre and cost very little. Staff at the Centre will be pleased to
suggest places worth visiting, advice on directions, and suggest appropriate fares.
Within walking distance from the Centre there are many small grocery stores which sell
pretty much everything you may need, from washing powder, shower gel to eggs,
bread, milk, fruit and veg.
Policy on Treatment, Surgery, and the Operating Theatre:
The KAT Centre treats street dogs and cats for a wide range of illnesses and injuries.
All volunteers (technical and non-technical) can perform non-surgical veterinary
treatment if they get approval from KAT’s staff vets. Please consult with KAT’s vets
before giving any medication or treatment.
Technical volunteers (veterinarians, vet nurses/assistants/technicians, and vet students)
can observe surgeries in the operating theatre after one week of full-time volunteering at
KAT. They can assist with surgeries (including pre-op and post-op care) after one week
of full-time volunteering if they get approval from KAT’s staff vets.
Veterinarians can perform surgery at KAT if they (1) will volunteer full-time at KAT for
more than two weeks, (2) get approval from KAT’s staff vets, and (3) register with the
Nepal Veterinary Council. Registering is a legal requirement. It costs US$150, typically
takes a couple days, and KAT’s vets will be happy to help with the process. We will do
our best to ensure you are registered, but there is a possibility that the government will
not give approval. Please bring copies of evidence of your qualifications with you to
Nepal. KAT performs flank spay surgeries; volunteers without any experience with these
surgeries may not perform them.
Vet nurses/assistants/technicians and vet students are not legally allowed to perform
surgeries in Nepal.
Non-technical volunteers (who do not have any veterinary training) can help with
medical treatment after one week of full-time volunteering at KAT. They can observe
surgeries in the operating theatre after one month of full-time volunteering.
Orientation for all technical volunteers:
• Day 1: Be introduced to the KAT Centre and KAT’s staff, learn about the roles you can
fill at KAT, understand what KAT does, and read through some provided Powerpoint
presentations on procedures at KAT.
• Days 2 and 3: Assist KAT’s animal care staff and volunteers with duties such as
treating sick and injured animals, giving patient exams, and de-ticking, grooming, and
bathing animals.
Learning opportunities:
During your time at KAT, you will have opportunities to learn about the following:
• Differences in treatment and management between Nepal and other countries.
• Common types of skin diseases (eg mange – sarcoptic and demodectic).
• Wound management and associated treatment.
• Differences between flank and mid line spays and the reasons and benefits of each.
• Locally significant infectious diseases, and their causes and signs.
• General operational activities of an NGO working in Nepal.
Optional duties:
• Join the dog-catching team to observe KAT staff and their technique
• Attend any external rescue calls and where applicable, assist with their treatment.
Thank you for your interest in helping the KAT Centre's efforts to improve the
welfare of the street dogs of Nepal. We look forward to working with you!
Email: katinfo@katcentre.org.np
Tel: +977 1 4377729
Web: www.katcentre.org.np