Help with dogs and cats at a shelter in the mountains near Siriu, Romania

Informationen

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  Beschreibung

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  VOLUNTEERS NEEDED THROUGHOUT 2024 IN ROMANIA (SIRIU)
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  WHEN REQUIRED & EXPERIENCE
  
  VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED GENERALLY REQUIRED ON AN ON-GOING BASIS.
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  There is an on going requirement for volunteers during 2024.
  Volunteers are most WELCOME to stay for as long as they want to.
  Volunteers will preferably have some dog shelter experience. Consideration will be given to other applicants who are willing to do hard and dirty tasks as well as immerse themselves into shelter life every day. You must love dogs as there are around 55 of them plus 30 or more puppies. You must enjoy being around dogs and be willing to help socialise them and walk them in some of your free time.
  
  This is not for anyone expecting to do a lot of sightseeing. It is an immersive experience in a dog shelter in a remote village in the rural countryside surrounded by the mountains. Tasks will also include house chores as Monica is unable to do these herself within the house where you will be living. Monica lives separately in a one room annexe.
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  74 year-old, Monica, runs the shelter by herself. She had surgery on her first knee in Autumn 2019. Monica also broke her hip due to a bad fall which required surgery in summer 2022. She has finally had surgery on her second knee on 22nd March 2023 which was delayed by 3 years due to covid. She has recently broken bones in her right hand which is restricting her from running the shelter.
  
  She is not sufficiently mobile to look after her dogs, cats, hens and ducks without the help of a couple of volunteers. Monica still tries to do a lot of the work.
  
  Monica will always need some amount of volunteer help from now on. The locals continue to dump dogs at her gate and over her fence. It seems that the local mayor is against sterilisation as are the local villagers.
  
  Monica has asked for international volunteers to help her with the care of her animals. Animal shelter experience would be helpful for volunteers.
  
  SHELTER: Shelter is in Muşceluşa in the Siriu Commune near the town Nehoiu in southern Romania.
  
  AIRPORT: Bucharest.
  
  NUMBER OF ANIMALS: There are currently 55 dogs, 30+ puppies and about 15 cats. All dogs are very calm and certainly not aggressive. There are also about 20 chickens and ducks.
  
  HOST: Monica
  
  LOCATION: In a beautiful quiet hilly landscape in the south of Romania. The house is against one of those hills. The people are very friendly. The shelter is in a small village called Muşceluşa in the Siriu mountains close to Gura Siriului (a lake).
  
  NEAREST CITIES: Braşov (79km), Buzău (81 km), Bucharest (175 km)
  
  SUITABLE FOR WHOM: For every volunteer who has some experience with animal care, preferably in an animal shelter and is a true animal lover especially of dogs. You must be in reasonable condition, have good mobility and be prepared to go the extra mile to help the dogs.
  
  DAILY ROUTINE
  Volunteer tasks begin between 8:00 am and 8:30 am.
  First feed the chickens and the ducks;
  Second clean and feed the puppies;
  Then clean the runs and provide fresh water and food to the dogs in the backyard. When that's done, there is an opportunity to have breakfast/coffee together;
  After breakfast, all other kennels are cleaned and all those dogs are given clean water and food;
  Everything around the house is also cleaned and all water bowls are washed and provided with clean water. The chicken and duck coops are cleaned once a week;
  If there are young kittens, they should be fed 3 x milk during the day.
  
  At about 12.00 pm (depending on the number of animals and the number of volunteers) all tasks are finished and it is time for lunch. In the afternoon you have free time. When new animals are unexpectedly dumped, when the vet comes for vaccinations or sterilisations, a transport arrives to take dogs to be adopted abroad or something unforeseen happens, sometimes a little help is needed out of hours.
  
  You also need to make sure Monica's house is kept clean and tidy. You will need to mop the tiled floors each day. Monica lives in a separate one room annexe where she sleeps, eats and cooks. She is joined by many of the smaller dogs and cats.
  
  In the afternoons, if you want to in your free time, you can walk a few of the dogs on a leash and play with the puppies and younger dogs. Also spend time socialising the adult dogs and puppies to help them get adopted. Please take good photos and videos of the dogs so they can be shared on social media for adoption.
  
  At about 5 pm in the afternoon, all chickens and ducks are fed again and all puppies are fed again. The dogs' kennels are also checked once more. Do all dogs still have clean water? Did they make a mess of it? If so, then of course top up the water or clean!
  Another important task is monitoring the animals. Are they healthy and do they feel happy? If you think something is up, immediately turn on Monica. When there are so many animals together and when new dogs are dumped every time, the risk of diseases is of course present.
  In addition, all dogs and cats need hugs of course!
  
  DON'T FORGET TO PACK SOME OLD CLOTHES AS THIS CAN BE DIRTY TASKS. ALSO BRING SLIPPERS TO WEAR INSIDE THE HOUSE.
  
  LANGUAGE:
  Well, that will have to be done with the hands and with Google Translate because Monica only speaks Romanian. She has a splattering of English and French. Monica communicates well with Google Translate. You may wish to sit with Monica in her one bedroomed house one evening and get to know her using Google Translate. She is good fun.
  
  The cities of Buzău and Braşov are also worth a visit but this is best done at the start or end of your stay.
  They both have beautiful city centres. Braşov is the gateway to Transylvania.
  
  HOW TO GET TO MONICA'S
  STEP 1: Fly to Bucharest (Otopeni) Airport
  There are various direct or indirect flight connections to the capital Bucharest from the Netherlands, Belgium and UK. Suggestions are the cheap airline Wizzair which flies 4 times a week to and from Eindhoven to Bucharest Otopeni Airport.
  Wizzair also flies to Bucharest from Birmingham and Liverpool in the UK. Blue AIr flies from Liverpool in the UK too.
  
  STEP 2: By taxi from Bucharest airport to Monica's (recommended)
  This is the recommended route for volunteers. This takes about 3 hours and costs 450 lei (€90/£80/$100/AU$150) which can often be shared with volunteers who are either arriving or departing on the same day. Monica will book it for you so it is cheaper than using a taxi at Bucharest airport.
  
  OR
  STEP2: By public transport from Bucharest to Monica's
  
  There are trains and buses from Otopeni Airport to Nehoiu, after which you can take another bus or it is a short taxi ride to Muşceluşa . There is also a bus from Braşov to Muşceluşa. Monica is happy to provide you with more information about the possibilities.
  
  STEP 2a: From Bucharest airport to Buzău
  It is believed that there are train connections from Bucharest Otopeni, which will take you to Buzău with a beautiful journey through the hilly landscape in 2 1/2 hours. Costs are approx. 50 Lei = €10. There is also a bus service which goes from Bucharest airport to Buzău and takes about two hours (€12).
  
  STEP 2b: From Buzău to Nehoiu
  There are several trains daily from Buzău to Nehoiu.
  
  STEP 2c: From Nehoiu to Monica's
  From Nehoiu, it is 10 km to Monica's so you can take a taxi which you can pick up in Nehoiu.
  
  OR
  STEP 2b and 2c: From Buzău to Monica's
  Otherwise, you can take a taxi from Buzău, which will drive you to Monica's in 1 1/2 hours. The taxi costs about €50.
  
  Or you stay for a night in the beautiful town of Buzău, which you see below as photos. The train connection between Buzău and Nehoiu is daily and subject to change. On the way back, it is possible to travel by train from Nehoiu via Buzău to Bucharest Airport in one day. All connections are subject to change.
  
  Once you have confirmed you wish to volunteer, you will be invited to join the WhatsApp group containing past, current and future volunteers who have a wealth of knowledge between them and will be more than happy to answer any queries you may have.

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  Arten von Hilfe und Lernmöglichkeiten

  Heimwerker- und Bauarbeiten

  Betreuung von Tieren

  Zubereiten / Kochen von Mahlzeiten für die Familie

  Hausarbeiten

  Handwerkliche Arbeiten

  Hilfe mit Computer /Internet
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  Kultureller Austausch und Lernmöglichkeiten

  Monica speaks Romanian with only a very few words of English and French. You will have the opportunity to learn some of the Romanian language (based on Latin and French).
  
  You will understand how people live in a rural village in the countryside within a remote and beautiful mountainous area. They grow much of their own produce and often use more primitive tools.
  
  You will understand more about the huge problem of stray dogs in Romania and how the problem is addressed in the part of Romania where Monica lives. You will meet the local veterinarian who often visits Monica's and see his methods. He is more used to treating farm animals as people do not value dogs. You will also perhaps meet the veterinarian that visits Monica's every few weeks to sterilise her animals at her home.
  
  I have stayed at Monica's and helped her with her dogs, cats, hens and ducks during October 2017, October 2018 and July 2019. The previous coordinator of this page stayed with her during October 2022. It really is a wonderful experience with Monica in her shelter in the mountains. You have nothing to worry about. Any questions, please message us.

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  Arbeit

  Volunteers are welcome from any country. Monica has had volunteers from both Romania and abroad from UK, France, Belgium, Canada, Brazil, Colombia, Italy, Mexico, United States, Australia, Germany and the Netherlands. Of course other countries are welcome too.
  
  VOLUNTEERS TO HELP AS KENNEL HELPERS/GENERAL ANIMAL ASSISTANTS FOR AT LEAST 2/3 WEEKS, 1 MONTH, 2 MONTHS OR WHATEVER SUITS YOU.
  
  VET TRAINEES, VET NURSES INCLUDING TRAINEES, ANIMAL WELFARE WORKERS ARE PARTICULARLY WELCOME BUT ALL YOU HAVE TO BE IS A GENUINE ANIMAL LOVER, HARD WORKER AND TRUSTWORTHY.
  
  My dear friend, Monica has fractured her hip and had hip surgery (Thu 18th August 2022). She has just had knee surgery on her second knee on 22nd March 2023 now that her hip is sufficiently recovered. She needs hard working animal lovers to look after her animals immediately from about the end of April 2023 on an on going basis. Volunteers are welcome to come for as ever long as they wish whether it be for three weeks, one or two months. A stay of at least 3 weeks will give the dogs a chance to get to know you and you them.
  
  During any time off, you will be able to explore the nearby countryside and do local walks in this beautiful area of Romania. The main village, SIRIU, is a short walk away where there are a couple of small supermarkets. However, it is better to shop at the two larger discount supermarkets in the nearby small town of NEHOIU, 10 km away, which are cheaper and a wider variety of groceries etc. Most volunteers love to spend their free time helping to socialise the dogs to help them become adoptable. There have been some wonderful results enabling more timid dogs to get used to humans and be adopted.

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  Gesprochene Sprachen

  Romanian: Fließend
  Englisch: Grundkenntnisse
  Französisch: Grundkenntnisse

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  Unterkunft

  The volunteers can stay in the main house for free, while Monica herself lives in a separate single room annexe next door where she does not have to climb stairs.
  
  IN THE MAIN HOUSE (PROFILE PHOTO)
  DOWNSTAIRS: There are 2 double bedrooms with TV. There is a modern kitchen with a small living room area with a TV and a bathroom with a bath, over the bath shower and a toilet. The kitchen is fairly modern with a stove, microwave oven, fridge/freezer and a washing machine.
  
  UPSTAIRS (APARTMENT): There are 2 more single rooms with a living room and a shower room with a shower cubicle and toilet.
  
  SMOKING
  You are asked not to smoke inside, but to do so outside.
  
  *** No animals should be housed in the large house itself except for emergencies ***
  
  WIFI: There is an excellent WiFi connection throughout the house. Monica's animal shelter is suitable for digital nomads to work from as long as their working hours are somewhat flexible. Availability of volunteers is most needed in the mornings with some work required later in the day but the unexpected can happen.
  
  All volunteers can stay with Monica completely free of charge.
  
  FOOD & MEALS:
  Sadly, Monica can no longer cook meals for her volunteers due to her mobility issues. Regretfully, she does not have the funds to feed the number of volunteers she requires all of the time. She will cook occasional meals if her mobility allows and pay for some food but cannot afford to pay for all food.
  
  Food shopping will have to be paid for and carried out by the volunteers. There is a very small shop about 150 metres from her house. There are two small supermarkets in the small town of Siriu which is about 1 km from Monica's. This is a pleasant walk. These small supermarkets are quite expensive though.
  
  If volunteers require a greater choice of groceries or the bank, it will mean a journey to the larger town of Nehoiu which is 10 km from Monica's and takes less than 15 minutes by taxi or bus. There are two larger discount supermarkets there and this is the best option. Groceries will need to be paid for by volunteers as Monica's only income is her small monthly pension. Romania is a very cheap country though.

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  Was noch ...

  During any time off, you will be able to explore the nearby countryside and do local walks in this beautiful area of Romania. Alternatively, you may choose to help to socialise the dogs at Monica's by desensitising them, walking some of them on a leash or teaching the younger dogs to fetch. This will be a great help to Monica's Animal Shelter in that it will allow the dogs to become more adoptable.
  
  There is a beautiful lake (Lake Siriu) about 4 miles away and a beautiful waterfall about 3 miles away.
  
  There is some public (bus) transport from the village where Monica lives which will go to the city of Brasov which is the gateway to Transylvania. There are trains to the city of Buzău from Nehoiu. Any exploring or sightseeing to these cities and beyond is better done at the start or end of your volunteering period at Monica's.

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  Etwas mehr Information

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    Internet Zugang

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    Eingeschränkter Internet Zugang

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    Wir besitzen Tiere

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    Wir sind Raucher

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    Familien möglich

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  Kann Digital Nomads unterbringen

  Digital nomads can work in the living area of the main house which is used solely by visitors. It is also possible to work from the apartment upstairs. Digital nomads need to be available in the mornings and late afternoons for the cleaning and feeding of the dogs. Also they need to be available to respond to unforeseen circumstances at any time of day. Digital nomads' working hours' MUST be somewhat flexible. Working full-time days with rigid hours will NOT work. Your work needs to fit around the schedule of the care of the dogs as well as the unforeseen. Occasionally, there is a mass sterilisation day. Ideally, you would need to be available all day on such days. These days are very infrequent but vitally important.

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  Platz zum Abstellen von Camper Vans

  There is space to park a campervan or motorhome within Monica's property.

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  Hier sind Haustiere in der Regel willkommen

  Dogs can be accepted as long as they are dog and cat friendly.

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  Kapazität - wie viele Workawayer maximal

  mehr als zwei

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  Arbeitszeiten

  Maximum 3 hours per day, 5 days per week

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