Panamá Spay / Neuter Center
Panama
Volunteers help to control the overpopulation of dogs and cats in Panamá by actively participating in an intensive sterilization program and community education. This program is designed for students who would like the opportunity for hands-on experience while exploring another culture and making a difference in the lives of feral, homeless, and less fortunate dogs and cats in Panama. This program teaches future veterinarians the “Quick Spay Method” (small incision, early sterilization, use of stainless steel suture, and early release). This organization also provides medical attention, when able, to injured and sick animals.
Competency in conversational Spanish is highly recommended.
Cost
$600 USD per week
Working days involve scheduled appointments and spay/neuter procedures at the main clinic on Wednesdays and Saturdays, while other days include mobile sterilization campaigns, shelter animal operations, vaccination/basic care clinics and/or sightseeing. Volunteers are generally given 1 day off, unless otherwise arranged.
See the “details” tab for a description of daily tasks.
***PLEASE NOTE: the first few days of each session are a training & orientation period – this may limit hands-on time, especially for 1-week volunteers. For this reason, we strongly recommend a minimum of 2 weeks for those interested in applying these hours to a university requirement or are otherwise seeking hands-on surgical experience. Hands-on surgical experience is highly unlikely during a 1-week session.
Day of the week for free time/day off may vary. Week 2+ is similar to Week 1, however every week is different based on the needs of the community, and students are typically given more responsibilities and training each additional week.
Vet/Animal Activities:
Pre-Vets, Vet Students & Vet Techs:
- Perform pre-op clinical exams
- Prepare animals for surgery
- Place ET tubes
- Place IV catheters
- Observe surgery
- Monitor anesthesia
- Blood sampling
- Calculate drug dosages
- Setup & calculate IV fluids
- Administer sedation, medications, and vaccinations
- Provide wound care (cleaning, stabilizing, bandaging, etc.)
- Run basic diagnostic/lab tests (snap tests, blood smears, skin scrapes, etc)
- Tattoo dogs
- Ear notching cats
- Post-operation care
- Helping to pack for off-site “Blitz” events
- Clean cages & instruments
- Other jobs at the vet’s discretion
Please Note: These are just some of the activities that volunteers have participated in during past programs. Activities are based on the needs and resources of the clinic and will therefore vary day to day. Training is provided as necessary.
Mobile Clinic: Most of the session is based out of the Spay Center, however we often mobilize to service other areas of Panama that otherwise have no access to veterinary care. From school classrooms, to recreational rooms, to volunteer houses, and even sometimes outdoors in the elements, we make the most of what we have to give back to that community. Please note, students may only perform surgery while at the Center.
Vet students: At the vet’s discretion, spay and neuter surgery may be performed by 2nd year vet students and up who have completed their intro to surgery courses. *While students are actively engaged in other aspects of surgery including pre-op and recovery from Day 1, hands-on surgical experience is highly unlikely until the end of the first week, or even into the second week, if deemed appropriate by the vets on staff*
Vets: There are currently six vets on staff who perform operations, provide basic treatments and train volunteers. We also welcome temporary vets throughout the year, including new graduates. Training is provided as necessary.
Typical Weekly Experience Hours Include:
- Animal Experience: 30-60
- Vet Experience: 10-40
- Clinical Experience: 30-40
- Surgical Experience: 0-30
Animal welfare is the most important factor to consider when allowing students to perform surgery. We cannot guarantee surgical experience in any session on any program because welfare must be assessed in each case. The estimated number of student surgeries per week is based on past volunteer experiences, however, animal welfare conditions, student experience & confidence, weather, national holidays, and other variables may affect the availability of student surgeries.
Free-Time Activities:
Volunteers have one day off per week with optional (free!) activities including:
- Dinner at Miraflores
- Panama Canal
- Walking Tour of Panama Viejo
- Casco Viejo
- The Causeway
- Tour AmadorExplore-Panama-Weekend-Activities-Global-Vet-Experience-300x300Explore-Panama-Weekend-Activities-2-Global-Vet-Experience-300x300Explore-Panama-Weekend-Activities-3-Global-Vet-Experience-300x300Explore-Panama-Weekend-Activities-4-Global-Vet-Experience-300x203Explore-Panama-Weekend-Activities-5-Global-Vet-Experience-300x168Explore-Panama-Weekend-Activities-6-Global-Vet-Experience-300x200Explore-Panama-Weekend-Activities-7-Global-Vet-Experience-300x193Explore-Panama-Weekend-Activities-8-Global-Vet-Experience-300x225Explore-Panama-Weekend-Activities-9-Global-Vet-Experience-300x200
Included
- Accommodation
- Free-time Activities
- Airport
- Transfers
- Laundry
- Facilities
- Meals
- On-Site Support
- Pre-Departure Support
- Wi-fi
Not Included
- Flights
- Travel Insurance
- Visa Fees (if applicable)
Program Accommodation
Volunteers stay at the Spay Center in Panama City with 10 live-in rescue animals. The accommodation is basic and cozy (for this reason, only 2 volunteers are allowed at any one time, unless travelling together in a group of 3) – there are 3 simple floor beds in the volunteer bedroom, and volunteers have access to a communal bathroom, kitchen, and living room. Bedding (pillows, sheets, and blankets), electricity, hot water, A/C, wifi, laundry, and all meals are included.
Gain surgical and clinical experience working side-by-side experienced vets in Panama.
Help reduce Panama’s stray population while educating local communities on the importance of spaying and neutering their beloved pets.
Sessions
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Limited Available PackagesTuesdaySeptember 8, 2026MondaySeptember 14, 2026$1,2002Available
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Limited Available PackagesTuesdaySeptember 15, 2026MondaySeptember 21, 2026$1,2002Available
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Limited Available PackagesTuesdaySeptember 22, 2026MondaySeptember 28, 2026$1,2002Available
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Limited Available PackagesTuesdaySeptember 29, 2026MondayOctober 5, 2026$1,2002Available
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Limited Available PackagesTuesdayOctober 6, 2026MondayOctober 12, 2026$1,2002Available
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Limited Available PackagesTuesdayOctober 13, 2026MondayOctober 19, 2026$1,2002Available
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Limited Available PackagesTuesdayOctober 20, 2026MondayOctober 26, 2026$1,2002Available
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Limited Available PackagesTuesdayOctober 27, 2026MondayNovember 2, 2026$1,2002Available
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Limited Available PackagesTuesdayNovember 3, 2026MondayNovember 9, 2026$1,2002Available
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Limited Available PackagesTuesdayNovember 10, 2026MondayNovember 16, 2026$1,2002Available
Overall Trip Rating:
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Verified Purchase
By Anonymous March 9, 2025 Definitely recommend!Panama Spay/Neuter Clinic was an incredible experience that really opened my eyes to shelter medicine. The staff were great to work with and ensured you felt comfortable performing different daily tasks. There are also many opportunities to go explore the city on your time off. I would definitely recommend the program!Date of Experience: February 18, 2025
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Verified Purchase
By Anonymous February 18, 2025 Incredible organizationGreat way to gain some hands-on vet tech skills, even if you have zero previous experience! This is a pretty incredible organization, given its history and impact on Panama. However, this program is somewhat disorganized and communication is not the best. You do get to see lots of Panama, though. It takes some of your own initiative to get the most of this experience, but when you are able to advocate for yourself, there is lots to gain!Date of Experience: January 28, 2025
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Verified Purchase
By Anonymous July 19, 2024 Amazing experience with supportive staffsAmazing experience with supportive staffs - was able to practice many clinical skills including castration on male cats during my one week stay.Date of Experience: July 02, 2024
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By Anonymous May 19, 2024 RecommendThe vets and staff there are amazing - they planned several outings so we could see the city, they helped me learn Spanish and were incredibly patient when practicing my vet skills.Date of Experience: April 30, 2024
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By Julia July 8, 2023 WonderfulI spent two weeks on this program and it was a wonderful experience. I met some very nice people, I made friends and I felt very welcome from my first hour in Panama (Araceli picked me up at the airport and knew how to entertain me). I find that my experience was very enriching because I’ve been able to learn more about the veterinary medical aspect, the socio-cultural aspect of Panama and the Spanish language (which I did not master at all before my arrival). Everyone at the clinic has animal welfare at heart. It is rewarding to be able to help stray animals who are not necessarily in very good condition. For a student who’s learning, we are exposed to a multitude of cases and it is very formative. I was taken out to do several activities after our days at work. Also, as a student, I haven’t been very exposed to orthopedic surgeries, but I had the chance to see quite interesting surgeries with Dr. Augusto. Whenever I had any difficulties, the employees/volunteers were there to help me. It is an internship that is worth it and that I recommend. Leaving Panama was difficult for me and I sincerely want to return there in the next few years. Thank you so much for the fabulous memories.Date of Experience: June 20, 2023
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Verified Purchase
By Anonymous April 21, 2023 Great program, learn Spanish for best experienceI wish I knew Spanish before going on this trip. It was not necessary to know, but I believe knowing the language and having a friend/ other volunteer go with you will greatly improve your experience. We did a trip 4 hours away for a remote spay/neuter clinic which was so much fun!!! As a 4th year vet student, I was able to do a lot of cat neuters and several cat spays, but do not expect to be doing mature dog neuters or spays regularly. The couple times that I received 1 on 1 teaching time from a vet was very helpful, but most of the time I felt like I was in the background - this is where knowing the language will help!Date of Experience: April 04, 2023
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Verified Purchase
By Anonymous April 18, 2023 Amazing experienceAmazing experience for anyone looking to improve their technical skills.Date of Experience: April 02, 2023
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By Stephanie February 16, 2023 A life-changing weekI spent a week in Panama and it was one of the most life changing experiences I’ve ever had. Memories I made there will stay with me forever. Their patience and dedication to help sterilize animals for those in low-income is astonishing. I had the honor of helping them with their major spay event in La Pintada. The goal was to sterilize 800 and at the end of the weekend they ended up passing that goal and sterilizing 921. I was so amazed by the vets, vet techs and vet staff for their amazing work at the event and at the Spay clinic. As a Pre-Vet Student this experience helped me gain plenty of hands-on experience and everyone was kind enough to help me gain plenty of clinical skills. This was a very a memorable experience!Date of Experience: January 17, 2023
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Verified Purchase
By Kyle A. July 28, 2022 Great surgical experience!Great experience for veterinary students who want more surgical experience or want to work on their Spanish! All the vets were great teachers and the volunteers took great care of us during our stay. Highly recommend!Date of Experience: June 14, 2022
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Verified Purchase
By Molly C. July 5, 2022 FantasticThis program is fantastic for anyone looking to practice veterinary skills. I was given the opportunity to improve my skills in many aspects, including general lab skills for things like hematology as well as surgical skills. After attending this program I have a better confidence in many skills that I will need in my career as a future veterinarian.Date of Experience: May 31, 2022
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