Field report from the street dog project in Cusco, Peru

Arrival | arrival

Arriving at the airport in Cusco, I couldn't ignore the excitement that was building. Although I had to wait about 20 minutes at the airport for my pickup, after a short call everything was clarified and the team welcomed me. I had signed up for the stray dog ​​volunteer project in Cusco. Something in me said that this trip would be more than just a typical holiday - and in the end, this feeling was confirmed!

So I arrived in Cusco, a city located at about 3400 meters above sea level. At first it was a real challenge to adapt to the altitude and everyday life on site, but thanks to the support of other volunteers and the warm welcome from the RGV team, I was able to master the first few days well.

Work in the project

Working with the dogs was emotionally challenging! It was just heartbreaking to see the suffering of these animals that grew up on the streets and struggled to survive. But that's exactly what gave me the motivation to get up every day and do my best and support. Cleaning the kennels, feeding and petting the dogs, and training for adoption were some of my daily chores.

local life

I have to admit that one of the biggest challenges for me was the culture shock and unreliability of some local people. Plans were frequently changed and a willingness to be flexible was the order of the day or even a prerequisite to adapt.

However, the most amazing thing about this experience was the community I found there. The other volunteers from around the world quickly became friends and today, weeks after my return, we are still in touch.

Special experiences

My time in Cusco taught me to be more patient and adaptable, and it gave me an insight into the harsh life of street dogs that I had never fully understood before. While there were moments when I felt helpless, these were always overshadowed by moments of joy when a dog found a loving home or just when we supported each other in the volunteer group.

In retrospect I can say that despite the difficulties, the street dog project in Cusco was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. It taught me to go beyond my limits and see the world from a completely different perspective. I can only recommend everyone to take this opportunity if he or she has the chance.

Field report by Emma, ​​volunteer in the street dog project in Cusco, April 2023