Profile information
Host rating
90 %
Last replied
18 Apr 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
57
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Details
Description
We are looking for the following types of volunteers to join us at our animal sanctuary on Kos from July 2024 onwards:
- Hands-on animals volunteers
- Vet nurse/ animal carer/ person experienced with animal care
- Fundraiser
- Permaculture expert, gardener and/or cook
- Someone with experience of construction work/building
Embedded in the wonderful countryside of the island of Kos lies our animal sanctuary, the mainstay of our charity work on this beautiful island. We are a small non-profit and non-governmental organization, established 15 years ago and primarily dedicated to the protection of animals. Our approach is to tackle problems at the root and act sustainably. We work in different areas, always with the aim of improving the conditions of animals (and humans) and creating long-term change. Our key areas include sterilization programmes for stray animals, rescue of and care for injured/sick animals, education and law enforcement.
To do all this as efficiently as possible, we rely on volunteers. The animals in our care need to be attended to several times a day, enclosures need to be cleaned, animals have to be taken to the vet and back, stray animals need to be caught, the facilities must be maintained, and so on. The work is very varied and by no means boring. 😉 In this field of activity you need a lot of flexibility and spontaneity, as emergencies often throw all plans out of the window, but the work is highly rewarding. Every animal deserves attention and help. And just as important to us as the animals are people and the planet. We are all one, and if we treat everyone with compassion and respect, we bring a lot of positive energy into this world.
For 2024 we need active support in different areas. Besides the hands-on work with animals (detailed below under 'Help'), we are looking for
- A vet nurse/ animal carer/ person experienced in animal care – please contact us for more details.
- A permaculture expert/ gardener/ passionate cook – please contact us for more details.
- A fundraiser: assistance with fundraising is needed, as expenses for animal food, medicines, vehicles, general maintenance, etc. are covered only by the donations we receive. This means that we need volunteers who are keen to reach out to people, who enjoy talking to people and informing them about our work. You could even consider developing and implementing your own fundraising campaign – all efforts and ideas will be highly appreciated.
Interested? If you have a manual driving licence, good English and some experience of animal welfare, please get in touch and let us know how you would like to help. We speak German, English and French.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Language practice
Gardening
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Volunteers from all over the world meet at our animal sanctuary. Through the shared work, living together, and the frequently emotional situations, many close friendships have already been formed. We support each other, no matter what situation each one of us is in. And we all can learn from each other in the time we spend together – cooking, baking, maybe even music, dancing, singing? – all your talents will be highly appreciated. Due to the nature of our work, we often interact with local people too.
Help
The general volunteer work entails:
- Caring for animals on-site (feeding, shampooing, spending quality time with them, etc.)
- Cleaning kennels/cattery
- Cleaning chicken/goat/sheep sheds
- Walking dogs
- Painting and maintenance when needed
- Gardening
- Off-site jobs such as cat catching (together with an experienced supervisor)
- Trips to and from the vet
- Sharing cooking, baking, etc.
- Cleaning the accommodation
- Fundraising
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Accommodation
All volunteers live on-site on our large premises. The downstairs flat in the main house is shared between all volunteers. The flat is spacious with a kitchen, modern bathroom, table and couch, and has a balcony with a picturesque view of the surrounding countryside and the sea. There are beds outside the main house, just 10 steps away, in a small bamboo lodges. There is also an outside shower for the adventurous. You get to enjoy the peace and quiet of our magical place, and the beautiful sunsets. There are several hammocks and chilling chairs for quiet times.
What else ...
We are located in the countryside, a 20-minute walk from the village. However, we are off-site almost every day, which gives you ample opportunity to buy food etc. The beach is 10 minutes away by car or an hour’s walk. Whenever possible, we combine trips to save petrol, which means you can simply stop at the beach on your way back from off-site jobs and enjoy a siesta. There are plenty of attractions worth seeing on Kos, and we’ll be happy to tell you about all the secret places…..
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (22)
Irene is a wonderful person, full of energy: Spending some of our free time with her was a blast and we had many crazy and spontaneous adventures. Working with, and learning from her was very rewarding. She carries herself with such openness and confidence; I felt very accepted, and at the same… read more
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.6)
Communication:
(4.8)
Irene is a wonderful person, full of energy: Spending some of our free time with her was a blast and we had many crazy and spontaneous adventures. Working with, and learning from her was very rewarding. She carries herself with such openness and confidence; I felt very accepted, and at the same… read more
My stay here was spontaineous and maybe a little short. But in those three weeks I saw so much of beautiful Kos, learned so much about animal care and compassion towards every single human and animal, which is for an animal lover like me truly heart… read more
Irene who’s in charge of the place is absolutely amazing. She’s fun, very easy going and beautiful to the core. You can tell she truly cares about the well-being of the animals, and being a vet nurse she really knows her stuff, and I’m sure it would’ve been a great learning experience if I would’ve stayed… read more
Jula is a very positive-minded and cheerful person. Communication was great, and she was happy to help wherever needed. She is a good team player and fun to work with!
Irene was super welcoming and the communication with her was great! She is a very funny… read more
Although he is a smoker, he was always respectful and, as requested, did not smoke in the house. He left his accommodation clean… read more
I stayed here from mid january until mid february and can say i left really happy and sad, happy for great opportunity to stay here and sad that i was leaving.
The job was easy for the most part because it was winter so mostly house… read more
I had a great time spending time with the animals and team members from all over the world. The work mostly consisted of taking care of animals, cleaning runs and collecting donations.
There is lots to do in your free time:… read more
She is completely honest and trustworthy and capable of working under pressure. She has become part of the family and we would welcome her back any time. Thank you Lena for all your help.
