We request everyone to arrive into Cochin International airport on Saturday 22nd November 2025. You will be met by a Mission Rabies representative, and we will transfer you from the airport to the project accommodation. Here, you will be welcomed by the Mission Rabies leadership team and have the chance to meet the rest of the volunteers, spending the evening recuperating, and getting to know your fellow members of Team Kerala!

On Sunday 23rd November, you will receive a full briefing on what to expect from the coming week, alongside training on how to use our WVS data collection app. Using the app, you will help collect data on every dog vaccinated by your team, providing valuable information to local authorities and helping to optimize the vaccination approach for future campaigns.

Vaccination begins on Monday 24th November, and will conclude on Friday 28th November. We will be working to vaccinate 70% of dogs in our working areas, so the working days are long, and the climate will be hot.
Although the work can be demanding, it is highly rewarding, and you will end each day knowing you contributed to eliminating this deadly disease!

Lunch will be provided each day.

In the evenings, you will have time to catch up with the rest of the group, and exchange stories about the people and dogs you have met
during the day while enjoying delicious local, vegetarian dishes.

By coordinating ahead of time and building contingency plans, we strive to make the potentially challenging job of vaccinating large
numbers of dogs a day go as smoothly as possible. However, the nature of fieldwork means that each day can be difficult to predict, so being able to "go with the flow" is essential!

Departure from the project will be on Saturday 29th November, when we will coordinate your transfer back to the airport.

There is a lot of physical work and early starts to reach 70% coverage of the dog population; the project is hard work but very fulfilling
and enjoyable! A typical day starts at 5 or 6 am to get into the field by 7 am.
The days are long but rewarding, as each dog vaccinated is one more protected against rabies—ultimately saving the lives of local people.

Please note that any additional accommodation (or transfers) outside of the stated dates will need to be organised by you.

You will be staying at a comfortable local hotel, and three vegetarian meals a day, along with some soft drinks, will be provided.

Rooms will be shared with another volunteer of the same sex. If you prefer a single room, this can often be arranged for an additional cost and is subject to availability. Additionally, if you are volunteering with a friend and would like to share a room, we can arrange that as well.

Please note that any additional accommodation (or transfers) outside of the stated dates will need to be organised by you.

This information should be used as a guide only. For up to date information on immunisations please consult your doctor. You will need to allow plenty of time before travelling for your immunisations to be effective. DO NOT LEAVE THIS UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE. As you will be working with animals the Rabies and Tetanus vaccines are essential. We have provided links below to websites with useful information on immunisations and travel advice which we highly recommend that you visit.

• www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-development-office - Website of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for travel advice generally and specifically by Country.
• lonelyplanet.com - For helpful travel advice
• nathnac.org - Useful information on immunisations required for travel
• redplanet.travel/mdtravelhealth - Helpful travel advice website, updated daily.

You must be comfortable walking at least 15 km daily over rough, hilly terrain in hot, sunny weather—sturdy walking shoes are highly
recommended. The vaccination, handling,marking, and data collection process is also physical work, so make sure to look after yourself: wear high-factor sunscreen, a sun hat, and drink plenty of water.

Please note that the information below is not exhaustive, and is subject to change. Please take a look at the websites suggested above and speak to a specialist travel clinic/medical professional for the most up to date and individual advice.

Vaccine requirements

In order to participate with Mission Rabies, we require proof of rabies vaccination within the past two years, or proof of adequate titre within the last three months. Proof of current tetanus vaccination is also required. Regarding other vaccines, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have contacted a medical professional and/or travel clinic at least 6-8 weeks before the date of the project. You must ensure you have all the necessary vaccinations and that you get any boosters in sufficient time.

Please also inform us of any medical conditions you have, or in case you have any questions about your ability to participate, so that we are aware and can discuss these with you and can then make any necessary provisions.

The NHS has a helpful website for travelling, fit for travel, that can provide you with advice but this should only be used in conjunction with, and not instead of seeking medical advice from your medical practitioner/local travel clinic.

Please note that there are yellow fever certificate requirements that may be applicable - please speak to your travel clinic/health care provider for more information and guidance.

Malaria

India does have endemic malaria. We strongly recommend that you consult your physician and/or travel clinic to discuss options and indications for an adequate anti-malarial while you are in India. We also advise you pack a mosquito net, repellent and wear long sleeves and trousers in the evenings to reduce the chance of insect bites.

Dengue Fever

Dengue Fever which is also transmitted by mosquitos is a risk, therefore taking precautions is essential since there is no treatment available. Ask your physician/ travel clinic about appropriate repellents.

Zika Virus

India is listed as being an area at risk of Zika virus on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website. Please follow the advice on their website and discuss this with your doctor when considering participating in this project. 

Dog Bite Protocols

Mission Rabies takes dog bites and potential rabies exposure very seriously. We follow strict protocol in line with the latest WHO recommendations in the case of dog bites. Post-exposure prophylaxis is readily available in India so injections can be obtained if they are needed. You will be briefed before you travel and in-country on our procedures for your own protection and there will always be a member of Mission Rabies staff to help.

Food and Water Safety

As a rule, we recommend that you stay away from tap water and rely instead on bottled and/or purified water. With regard to food, we will provide clean, safe food for each of your meals. We recommend consulting your physician to discuss treatments that you can bring along and signs to look out for when travelling. Many people have said that steering clear of eating meat will go a long way in preventing illness; anecdotally this does appear to have been true for many of our previous volunteers so far.

While you are welcome to purchase alcoholic beverages when available at the hotel/restaurant, costs for these will not be covered by Mission Rabies.

PLEASE ALSO SEE THE NOTES SECTION FOR OTHER CONSIDERATIONS AND INFORMATION

• Practical / comfortable clothes to work in - walking style/light trousers, walking shoes (closed toe). You will be provided with 2 Mission Rabies t-shirts for when you are out vaccinating.
• Wet weather gear and warm clothing for the evenings
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Ear plugs and eye mask
• Toiletries
• Prescriptions & over-the-counter medication (eg. Imodium, Paracetemol etc)
• Electrolytes
• Travel wash
• Power bank for phone
• Hat/sunglasses

We request everyone to arrive into Cochin International airport on Saturday 22nd November 2025. You will be met by a Mission Rabies representative, and we will transfer you from the airport to the project accommodation. Here, you will be welcomed by the Mission Rabies leadership team and have the chance to meet the rest of the volunteers, spending the evening recuperating,
and getting to know your fellow members of Team Kerala!

Departure from the project will be on Saturday 29th November, when we will coordinate your transfer back to the airport.

Please note, that transfers by our team are only included on the stated arrival (22nd November) and departure days (29th November), and only to and from the stated airport.

Any tranfers and additional accommodation outside of the stated dates will need to be organised by you.

Of course, we do want you to be as prepared as possible for your trip, so we would like to highlight some of the more challenging parts of volunteering here:

Transport and Accommodation

The standard of the roads, vehicles and driving in Kerala may be less than you are used to. We conduct vehicle safety and driver checks for all the vehicles we use but this is something you should be aware of. The accommodation, although not luxurious, is clean, comfortable and safe.

Physical work and early starts

It is worthmentioning again that in order to reach 70% coverage of a dog population, we have to work very hard! You must be comfortable walking at least 15 km a day over variable terrain and in hot sunny weather - a typical day will also be starting at 6am to get into the field to start work at 7am. You should make sure you come prepared for walking over such terrain so sturdy walking shoes are highly recommended.

Emotional stress

There is a chance that you will witness suffering, be it human or animal, while on this project. You cannot know how you will react to seeing a dog suffering from a terrible case of mange or with a fractured leg, seeing people in need or finding a personal bond had been shattered by illness. It may simply be alarming to see dogs who lived chained outside, or are handled roughly. It is perfectly normal to feel a range of emotions in response to this. We can help support you and ensure that all the hard work you put into this project makes a long and lasting change to the lives of people and animals you meet.

Food

The local food available in Kerala offers a delicious array of flavours, trying these local dishes is all part of the fun! Specific allergies can be discussed with our team - please do mention them upon your application.

Climate

November in Kerala usually has average temperatures of between 23-32°C (73-90°F). We will make sure that you have plenty of fresh, clean, safe water to drink. Please do remember to pack high factor sun cream, a hat, and electrolytes.

Personal Safety

Like at home, the majority of people you meet are friendly and not a danger, however it is always good to use your common sense.  Never go anywhere unaccompanied and keep your belongings safe, out of sight and locked away. We advise you not go out at night and always make sure you carry a copy of your passport with you. Follow the advice of the Mission Rabies staff and our local team and you will have a safe and enjoyable experience.