Volunteer Faqs

After you have been approved you will then be in contact with one of our staff to walk you through the process of what you need to bring and best how to prepare. Here is a guide below.

Volunteer and stay at shelter (most popular) minimum of 7-10 days.

Your meals and accommodations will be covered by NDLB- you will stay in a shared room with our shelter staff, this room is also known as the hospital room (female quarters). There is no hospital in the male quarters. There is a bathroom right outside your room.

You will take a cab to the shelter- the cab ride is approximately $17 each way, please note that you will need to change money at the airport at one of the ATMS or before you leave for China, they do not take foreign currency.

Volunteer Day to Day. You will arrive at shelter by 8am where you will be met by one of our shelter staff to get you on your way and volunteer your time for the day, it will be your responsibility to get to the shelter. NDLB will provide lunch-only at the Beijing shelter you will volunteer your time until 430pm, one of our staff will call you a taxi cab to go back to your hotel. (If you choose Henan –you must provide your own meals- packed lunch) * Examples below

What to bring to the shelter and how to prepare for a successful trip

Upon approval, you will be in touch with one of our staff to go over everything if you have questions, but below we have provided helpful information.

  • You will need to change money at the airport or get in advance.
  • Appropriate clothing depending on the time of year. In the winter bring warm clothing to layer.
  • Heavy coats/ gloves and hats for winter months or summer attire.
  • Sleeping bags are recommended.
  • Socks and cheap disposable flips flop for the shower.
  • Handi-wipes, so you can have in your room for easy clean up (although there are washing stations, we found this to be convenient).
  • Snacks- energy bars, instant coffee or tea.

If you choose option 1. All of your meals are covered,

With option 2 you will be provided with lunch only at the Beijing shelter. Usually instant ramen noodles or quick soups for a packable lunch.

Pack easy accessible snacks. Energy bars, nuts etc.

Local hotels can be coordinated with one of our staff prior to you leaving. (You will need to book your hotel if you do not have a Visa yet) that is required to apply for a Visa.

Hotels can range from 40-120$, depending on the brand. International hotels can be made in advance from the US. Our staff will provide you with 2 hotel options. There is a (Marriott, intercontinental) in Beijing but they are not close, approximately 45 minutes away and are the most costly.

The shelter address will be provided after you have been approved.

Upon arrival, we will provide you with a VPN download so you can access social media.

It is your responsibility to make your own flight arrangements. However,  we can be of assistance to help you find the best flight for you and the dogs with minimal layover time.

We will need your flight number and itinerary at least 3 weeks in advance so we can get the dogs ready.

We recommend flying EVA airline as they take 5 dogs back to the USA. We will need a picture of your current passport to add to the dog transport information.

We will need your flight number and itinerary at least 3 weeks in advance so we can get the dogs ready.

Flight Hero-this option allows you to fly the dogs to the USA!

It is your responsibility to make your own flight arrangements. However, we can be of assistance to help you find the best flight for you and the dogs with minimal layover time.

We will need your flight number and itinerary at least 3 weeks in advance so we can get the dogs ready.

We recommend flying EVA airline as they take 5 dogs back to the USA. We will need a picture of your current passport to add to the dog transport information. We will need your flight number and itinerary at least 3 weeks in advance so we can get the dogs ready.

Please note- you cannot change your flight once you have been approved to fly with the dogs.

WE WOULD NEED YOUR FLIGHT ITINERARY AT LEAST 3 WEEKS IN ADVANCE