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Host rating
90 %
Reply rate
88.6 %
Usually responds within 7 days
Feedback
55
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Details
Description
* Free space from March onwards *
Have you ever heard of a rescue place where the dogs get to run free in the jungle instead of being walked on leashes? Welcome to this special place on tropical Koh Samui.
** Please note **
Absolute necessity to read through all the info provided below BEFORE you message us. Good for both you and us - thank you :)
ARE YOU THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THIS WORKAWAY?
If you answer yes to the following questions:
- Can you fully commit to a miminum of 31 days/4 weeks? We prioritize those who can stay even longer.
- Can you handle the combination of physical work, being surrounded by packs of dogs (and cats) & the heat?
- Can you handle the same routine of cleaning, walking the dogs & feeding every single day (excl. your day off)?
- Are you truly passionate about working with dogs and cats?
- Are you fine being surrounded by nature & locals in a very quiet area?
- Partying is not your priority?
If you answer one of these with no, this place won't make you happy ;) If you are unsure about something, please get in touch.
This sanctuary provides a safe home for around 50 dogs & 35 cats and is run by a Belgian woman named Francoise. She has lived on Koh Samui for many years, dedicating her life to helping animals in need and giving them a loving home. The sanctuary is in a jungle setting and has no direct neighbours; therefore, the dogs can be walked in packs without the worry of disturbing others. The whole sanctuary relies solely on kind donors and Workawayers like you.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
UN sustainablity goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Helping out at the sanctuary is very rewarding, but can be challenging both physically and mentally. To have a great time here and learn as much as possible, you need to be an animal, but especially dog lover!!
Help
MUST READ BEFORE COMING HERE
This is not to scare anyone off, but to just give an important input as to what to expect. Your commitment is important: short-notice cancellations & people that are leaving earlier than planned are putting Francoise, but especially the animals, in a very hard position.
* There is a lot of cleaning involved. Every single day. Sweeping, mopping, doing the dishes, cleaning dog poo, raking and lots more. Basically all of the work, except the cuddling, is physical work.
* A specific daily routine followed by Workawayers is especially important for any place with a high amount of animals.
* Lots of names and things to learn, barking dogs, the heat - the first days can be overwhelming, that is totally normal. Try to stay attentive and ask questions, you will see that within only a week it will be so much easier already.
* Please keep in mind that this is a sanctuary, which focuses on providing animals a safe home for the rest of their lives – those who have had a tough life before coming here. There is a high turnover of animals. Adoptions to good homes are welcome though, of course.
* Arrive in clothes ready to get dirty!!
* Freshly cooked food is provided for our dogs which consists of rice, fish and meat. If you're a vegan (like many of our volunteers), just please beware :)
* If you plan on just coming for volunteering, consider some days before and/or after for traveling/sightseeing only, so you won’t have to change dates once you are here! Also, if you fly directly from f.e. Europe or the US, you might need some resting time before starting.
* There is no Wifi, but cheap SIM cards incl. internet data can be bought at many different places.
* Even though the sanctuary is located away from the touristy places, prices (f.e. international restaurants, taxis) may be higher than in other parts of Thailand.
* You should not be scared to drive a scooter/motorbike, so you can easily get to/from the sanctuary and discover the island during your free time. You can rent them in the area & in Lamai. Any other transportation will be expensive. Fyi - a license from your home country is required for your insurance to cover an accident/hospitalisation.
WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING
The sanctuary needs people who are committed to the cause. Even in their free time. You should be here for the animals - not to nurture your ego, seek free accommodation or meet lots of people. You should be a team player that is easy-going, self-motivated, with common sense - time usually doesn't allow Francoise to give lots of feedback, as she's busy with the animals! If any of the above is not the case, Workawayers might be asked to leave.
You're still interested? No need for long messages ;) BUT please consider the following:
- In your subject line: Workexchange sanctuary & your preferred starting month
- What's your experience with dogs/cats?
- On which date would you like to come & for how long?
This is so we can already see who's read through our profile :) English is preferred, as former volunteers help with the communication!
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
Thai: Beginner
Accommodation
See picture in the gallery - Wooden Thai style accommodation, simple and not luxurious. 3 bedrooms - 1 single downstairs, 1 upstairs with a double bed (usually reserved for couples) and another open room upstairs with 3 single beds. Shared living room, kitchen and bathroom. The house is surrounded by the jungle, in a Thai neighbourhood - being part of their community (no partying). Everything is quite open. Mosquito nets are usually provided, but you should not be afraid of insects. Within driving (scooter) distance to the sanctuary and local beach. No air-con, just fans. Mattresses are hard, which is common in Asia. Cats might be staying with you - not good for anyone with allergies :)
What else ...
You'll be having a great time with all the animals and humans, in addition to living on beautiful Koh Samui, experiencing Thai culture and food at its best. It is an exciting island that has a lot to offer: waterfalls, yoga retreats, Muay Thai and fitness gyms, late night markets, Thai cooking classes, kite boarding schools, snorkelling trips and boat trips.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
4 hours/day, 2 days off
Feedback (25)
One month can seems like a long time but… read more
She is a kind and pure soul, very resourceful for her age and always willing to learn. She showed so much motivation and I was astonished to see how easily she could handle our groups of dogs. She accepted all the tasks we asked her to do without any problem,… read more
There, love, empathy, peace, kindness and simplicity prevail. Francoise has a huge heart and her dedication to animals is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. All dogs… read more
Photos
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:
(4.8)
Communication:
(4.9)
One month can seems like a long time but… read more
She is a kind and pure soul, very resourceful for her age and always willing to learn. She showed so much motivation and I was astonished to see how easily she could handle our groups of dogs. She accepted all the tasks we asked her to do without any problem,… read more
There, love, empathy, peace, kindness and simplicity prevail. Francoise has a huge heart and her dedication to animals is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. All dogs… read more
They could work independently and because they are responsable i could really trust them the job would be done and weldone which is a big relief as animals welbeing is very important to me.
They were always in a good and motivated mood, always prepared to help wherever needed.
They… read more
Her soft energy and kindness made my animals love her.
She adapted very quickly and i could give her responsibility and rely on her from the 1st week she was here.
She even rescued 3 street puppies who are now staying in our Sanctuary meanwhile they get old enough to travel with her to the US where they… read more
Francoise also goes out of her way to make everyone feel comfortable, and even though you live quite independently with the other… read more
Loesje did really great considering her young age and the fact she had never helped in any animal care before.
She is soooo sweet with the animals and was always prepared to help when i asked her something.
She learned fast and was able to do many of the… read more
They were… read more
Françoise is a great host who wighting all the days for her passion.
I’m greatfull and i recommend this person, this place in Koh Samui and… read more
She is super kind to any living being, is funny, and a hard worker.
All the animals at the shelter loved her and will miss her for sure.
Good luck dear Hilda but I know we will meet again...
You are always welcome, bug hugs from us all
I miss her every day...and the animals too as her lover for our furry friends is endless .
Every single animal is looked after as an individual and are healthy and happy.
My 6 weeks here was one of the best experiences I have ever had and I will remember every gorgeous cat and dog forever.
The hut I stayed in was fantastic,… read more
I would totally recommend him and we miss him a lot and hope he will come back to help us again.
Every animals (cats and dogs) are gorgeous. They are kind, sweet, funny, lovely not only the cute puppies. So be prepared to deal with a bunch of 42 happy and enthousiast fellas whom you are going to love.
I've been… read more
I stayed with Francoise for a month and helped her with the daily duties of looking after approx 25+ dogs and cats. As I expected, the majority of the work was cleaning, and helping with little things around the shelter, and I really… read more
He was even so kind to take very beautiful pictures of some of the animals, which will serve me in my quest to find financial support for my cause. He is very talended in… read more
Regarding to the daily tasks, they are not hard and may take no more than 4 hours, although of course some days… read more
I can only very warmly recommend them and I do hope they will come… read more
Francoise is a really lovely person, she loves so much her animals and she takes care of them so well.
it was a real pleasure to do it with her. All her animals are so cute and so full of love. I really enjoyed to do the tasks she asked me and she never… read more
When they arrived we were experiencing some critical situations with a water pump not working and a cat who nearly died falling into the dog compound and so very quickly they… read more
