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19 Jan 2025
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Description
Massive respect and many thanks to all the volunteers we have hosted so far!! Wouldn't be the same without you!
For the ones who are considering applying, please read the profile carefully and take it seriously.
We appreciate all your messagges, however please ONLY CONTACT US FOR THE FORTHCOMING MONTH!
We are a no-kill dog shelter located in an Austro-Hungarian fort in Pula, Croatia. At any one time we may have between 60-80 dogs at our facilities. Our core team is very small and we would be delighted to welcome more hardworking dog lovers aboard.
This is not for people who just want to visit Croatia or go to the beach, but for people who are passionate about and dedicated to help abandoned dogs.
Our mission is to rescue stray dogs and to rehome them, making sure that they have the best treatment while in our care. We pioneer and provide the highest standards of welfare for the dogs at our shelter.
If your idea of paradise is to be surrounded by dogs, making a difference in the world, then look no further!
It's a must to have a smartphone as upon arrival we add the new volunteer in a Whatsapp group where we communicate daily.
Please be so kind and don't write us if you are drug/alcohol addict.
Make sure to have health insurance in case of accidents as we unfortunately won't be able to pay your bill.Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity WorkArt ProjectsAnimal CareGeneral MaintenanceHelp with Computers/ InternetUN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Volunteering in our shelter is a great way to meet like-minded people who share a passion for animal welfare.
You will also be able to make a difference to the lives of the animals in our care, feel valued and part of a team.
Volunteering with us can be a way of gaining new skills, knowledge and experience, developing existing skills and knowledge, enhancing a CV or generally becoming a more resiliant person. It all depends on how much you are willing to engage.
Pula itself, located at the southern tip of the Istrian peninsula, is a popular tourist destination, with a colourful history dating back to Roman times, and sweeping views of the glorious Adriatic Sea.
Volunteers will be able to spend their spare time exploring the picturesque nature that abounds in the environs of Pula. During the summer there is a wealth of outing opportunities, ranging from swimming to hiking, and everything inbetween. If you are more interested in history however, you’ve come to the right place! Pula’s history reaches from Ancient Rome to the present day, and you will be able to find significant buildings, museums and sights from all its different eras.
Our volunteers and donors come from various countries, and even our locals are from different parts of Croatia, so if you’re interested in meeting people from diverse locations and backgrounds, we can certainly provide!Help
We are looking for animal lovers that will assist with the every day care of our dogs and cats- as well as larger cleaning projects that we undertake in the effort to make the old fort as comfortable and safe a place as possible.
Your usual work-day will consist mostly of cleaning the dog cages (arranging/changing bedding, picking up faeces, washing the floors and changing water), feeding, walking the dogs and cleaning the common areas. It is very important that you are a responsible person who is willing to follow the rules of the shelter strictly, as these have been put in place for the safety of our dogs and volunteers.
We would appreciate flexibility in hours as dogs come and go frequently with adoptions happening all at once or not for ages :). You won't be asked to work longer than 5 hours- however, the ever-changing nature of life within a dog shelter means jobs can often take longer than expected!
Please be aware that this is a dirty job, it involves a lot of poop, pee, hair, vomit, mud and some blood = dog shelter! :D
We provide working clothes, gloves and all the tools.
Feel free to introduce us to a fundraising initiative or to organize one, help with photography and videos, social media, art projects (lots of white walls..).Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Croatian: Fluent
Italian: IntermediateAccommodation
We provide 2 mobile homes which have two bedrooms- both with a double bed, a common area, toilet and (cold) shower.
One wagon with double bed, unfortunately without toilet.
A large kitchen and living room are within the fort where you can socialise with others. We host four workawayers at a time.
The toilet and the shower (with hot water) are located within the fort. We have a washing & drying machine. The mobile homes are placed on the grounds of the fort, so please be aware that there will be noise from the dogs throughout the day.
The kitchen is self catering, you are allowed 3 meals a day, please be considerate of others.
We go grocery shopping once a week. The food is substantial but basic, remember we are a charity. Please appreciate we cannot cater for all dietary requirements.
For any further provisions you may require, there is a mini market 2,5 km away from the shelter which can cater to your needs.What else ...
Our shelter is inside and on the grounds of an old Austro-Hungarian fort, situated approximately 7 kms away from Pula. There is a city bus from the center to us, but as the stop is 1.5km away from the shelter, you will need to walk for 17 minutes to reach the bus stop.The bus takes around 15 minutes to reach Pula and we can provide bus times for you when you arrive.
We have bicycles which you are able to use at any time. It may be possible to ride to the city with one of our volunteers that has a car, but naturally we cannot guarantee this as it depends on the situation.
Please also do not worry about issues of safety when considering this workaway- while the shelter is in old fort which is at some distance from the city center you will be surrounded by 60+ dogs, there is a light on all night (never dark!) and security cameras at the entrance. However, there is one more thing to keep in mind: we have rats in the fort, and they will usually be more active at night so beware when taking midnight trips to the toilet. We are all used to the status quo, but if you are frightened of them, this could prove to be a problem.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask! :)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
Feedback (62)
We could tell she really cares for all the animals in our shelter and for sure she was brightening their days by making them company.
Thanks Fien for helping us out!
I planned on staying here for 3 weeks and I ended up staying for more than a month.
I’m not sure where to start. It’s just so incredible what everyone here is doing for all the dogs. The way everyone knows everything about all the 50+ dogs, how every dog is treated with love, how they make sure… read more
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(4.8)
We could tell she really cares for all the animals in our shelter and for sure she was brightening their days by making them company.
Thanks Fien for helping us out!
I planned on staying here for 3 weeks and I ended up staying for more than a month.
I’m not sure where to start. It’s just so incredible what everyone here is doing for all the dogs. The way everyone knows everything about all the 50+ dogs, how every dog is treated with love, how they make sure… read more
As you can read in the description and in the comments from colleagues, the place is located near Pula. It is easy to get there from the city by bus or cab.… read more
Except from doing the shift she was going on walks with the dogs, spending a lot of time with them in the cages, she painted a beautiful mural on the fort and she was baking the best ever cookies every few days.
She's super friendly and easygoing, we couldn't have asked for a better volunteer. ❤
I spent the last 6 weeks here and, like others have said, I haven't stopped thinking about it since. This was my first Workaway and I don't think anything will come close to how much I enjoyed it here. I already miss the dogs and cats so much and spending my days surrounded by the other amazing volunteers.
The… read more
We highly reccomend her and would take her back any time!
Thanks Adela! 😊
He seemed always in a good mood, you could hear him laughing a lot (a shelter is most often not the happiest place, for us it's a bit like working in a hospital, so to have happy faces around you really means a lot. 🙂)
He was hardworking, reliable, punctual and respectful, and we would definitely host him… read more
The shelter is located in Istria close to Pula, where you can sightsee a lot of history and beautiful nature and beaches. We slept in really cozy mobile… read more
A very big help in every aspect, very respectful, trustworthy and responsable. Don't miss the chance to host her.
She's in our top 10 list!
Between the people, the dogs and just a few cats, this place really is magical.
I learned so much about animals from the wonderful Croatian volunteers and made some brilliant friends among them and the other Workawayers.
I am so grateful for my time here; if you get the chance to go you are lucky and will make… read more
Easygoing, friendly, always on time for the shift. Except for the mandatory tasks he was also helping us with social media, posting our dogs on Instagram, which we highly appreciate.
Thanks Peter for all your help!
I personally really… read more
It seemed like he enjoyes being with the dogs.
He made lovely drawings of some shelter dogs and of some doggies of the volunteers.
Thanks Feliks for your help!
When it comes to work he was punctual, responsable and never complained about any given task.
We would host him again and can recommend him to other hosts!
It is just amazing to see how happy the dogs are. Snoppy really knows how to take care of them. They have big places to live and go… read more
My time there was incredible, the work is quite exhaustive at first, but you get used to the workload quickly. The work mostly consists of walking dogs and cleaning cages, which takes about 5 hours a day.
The location and the nature of the work mean you should be coming here to work, for the dogs, and… read more
As a volunteer we found her trusthworthy, respectful and hardworking. She spent a lot of time with the dogs, even when not on shift.
Dear Johanna, you're always welcome!
The work might be a bit exhausting at first, especially if you are not used to do physical work. But you get used to it very quick and the hours you have to work are… read more
Very respectful, polite, easy to talk to, always ready to help.
She was giving a lot of love and attention to the dogs and she did a fantastic mural on a wall in the fort so we really wanted her to stay longer..
Hopefully we'll meet again!
Its hard to put into words what the team have built here. Not only is it a safe place for dogs in need, it's a place full of love… read more
Very curious, straightforward, we would dare to say a strong character. Dedicated and hardworking.
As he finished a dog training course, he was working with some of the dogs, preparing them for their homes, which we highly appreciate.
Thanks Felipe… read more
I lived in a small… read more
She is hardworking, always willing to help, very curious and engaged.
Always happy to be around dogs and working with a smile on her face.
Very friendly and easy to talk to.
Was a pleasure to have hosted her. 😊
I stayed here just under 2 months and wish I could have stayed even longer. It is very organised and has a clear structure for work. The work can be hard but is so rewarding and doesn’t feel like work as you’re constantly around the dogs and engaged with the scheduled… read more
It was wonderful being surrounded by all these thankful… read more
She spent a lot of time with the dogs, we could tell they all love her back.
Reliable, friendly, flexible, simply no complaints. We would be happy to host her again. 🙂
Very gentle and calm, friendly and respectful.
If she texts you don't hesitate to host her!
Everything was exactly how it is described on the profile and they even made sure beforehand that I knew exactly in which conditions I would be working which made me feel very prepared. The staff cared so deeply about the dogs and their well-being but also always had an… read more
She was posting such cute videos, we were just waiting for the next one to be online.. 😊 She also gave us tips on how to do it and keep it going.
So if you need help in that area, she's the one.
A hard worker, animal lover, willing to… read more
The shelter is actually really organized. They have really good structure for tasks and the duties are really clear. Everyone running the shelter works… read more
She was a big help in the shelter, a volunteer you can rely on.
We would gladly host her again!
Very gentle with the dogs, very friendly with all the volunteers.
She really enjoys the company of humans and animals.
Host her if you get the chance, we will for sure if she texts us again.
Most of the volunteers' work is feeding, giving medicine, going for walks… read more
Hardworking, trustworthy, friendly, respectful and very humble people.
They were a huge help, taking all the tasks seriously and working very diligently.
Dominik took over some tasks that we've never gave to any workawayer previously, that's how good he is.
We were all very sad to… read more
it´s incredible what the team at this dog-shelter has built up.
The work that is done here with so much heart, is incredibly valuable and important.
From morning to night the animals are looked after and given medical care.
Also the dog walks and animal employments are super regulated.
During this month we were present at really a… read more
You could tell she really enjoyed being around the dogs, even in her free time.
Very friendly and communicative, she was getting along well with everybody in the community.
A quick learner, a volunteer you can rely on. Thanks for… read more
She was always around, always willing to give a hand, to do more, to learn more.
Hardworking, trustworthy, with a genuine love for the dogs and genuinely caring about their well-being.
You are always welcome back!
It is simply impressive to see with how much love the dogs are cared for and that all individual needs of the… read more
She was engaged 150%, always around and willing to give a hand.
Very respectful, polite, friendly, a quick learner, a team player but more than capable of working alone. A great addition to our community, we really wanted her to stay forever.
She showed a… read more
I miss it all so much. The dogs , kittens, all the workers esp Lara, Vanja and Kristina ( obviously everyone else too) and my cosy caravan home for 6 weeks.
Everyone is so passionate about the work that is carried out here and all the animals have the best chance as soon as they enter this shelter.
I have… read more
She got very attached to the dogs, she even cryed when her favorite was adopted. She made a very cute mural on the cats house, even… read more
She is… read more
I have to say that the atmosphere and the set… read more
The people are hardworking and you can feel their devotion to their higher cause: The animales. Everyone there… read more
A really cute couple, with so many excellent skills. All the food they made was super yummy, Aaron's pictures and videos were just AMAZING, they were keeping everything unexpectedly tidy, always helpful and precise with daily chores. Always very tender with the dogs. 😊
We really, really hope they will… read more
The values of the big family which are rooted in animal welfare and mutual love were so strong that they quickly transmitted to us during our stay and have shaped something unique within us.
Our schedules always changed and consisted on taking care of the morning or evening shifts (a topic… read more
We loved having them around, they became part of the family in no time. The perfect match that rarely happens. Very nice people, excellent volunteers.
Welcome back any time!
My partner and I were lucky enough to work here for 6 weeks, we simply wished we were able to stay longer.
The people have an obvious, genuine care for the animals, are kind, friendly and good communicators who welcome you into the community with warmth. The friendships we created with fellow like minded… read more
She really joined us to be with the dogs, to help them having a nice stay in the shelter. On many occasions she took a dog for a walk or on the beach which is always highly appreciated.
She helped much more then expected so a big thanks… read more
Just arrived in Germany and already miss everything! Everyone there has his special character and I love everyone in their unique way! When I was with other workawayers we would share the most of the time together, but as soon as the Lara or Paul realised I was alone they would manage to take me to the beach or to take me on a… read more
The first thing that gets you is her humbleness, she is the sweetest, modest, unspoilt child with a good heart and always ready to go the extra mile.
We knew from the first day that we could trust her on serious metters.
Spending a lot of time with the dogs even on her days off, taking them for walks, helping… read more
The work over there is pretty easy, it's basically cleaning the cages, walking some of the dogs, giving therapy/food and taking care of a few cats. It's very simple, still people are trusting you and you can… read more
Always willing to help, reliable, radiating calm and happiness..
With some people things flow easily, with Britta was definitely the case.
She was a great addition to our team and we would welcome her back any time.
Many many thanks! 😊
Everybody I got to know really works with all their heart to help find the dogs new and good homes and to make sure they have the best… read more
We can only highly… read more
During my six weeks stay I learned so much about… read more
I feel like a lot already has been said in all of the other reviews and I just want to add this:… read more
The dogs they care for are truly cared for. They have so much space and plenty of love and the majority move on to their forever homes quickly. In my time there maybe 50 dogs were adopted! Absolutely amazing. The team are really passionate, fun and good people who put the care for… read more
But more important he is very flexible and always willing to give a hand. Full of energy, eager to learn and accept more responsability. He was happy to help even on his days off and when not on shift.
And most… read more
The all crew is composed of incredible and passionate people, working hard for the hapiness of the dogs
The work isn't always easy but being with the dogs everydays is such a pleasure !
the hosting is great and the location is incredible, don't hesitate to visit around with the bikes !
I say a great… read more
A smart, friendly and chatty girl with very good manners.
Very attentive and gentle with the dogs, she got on well with all other volunteers and helped in any way she could.
Thanks Poppy for all… read more
When it comes to work, he is very responsable, trustworthy, a person you can fully rely on.
Always willing to give a hand, very flexible and easy going. Patient and loving with the animals.
In a short time he became a dear friend and we hope we'll see him… read more
She was proactive, helping much more than what was expected from her, she loved the dogs and they definitely loved her back.
We could go on and on saying only the best about her, but to keep it short if she ever asks you to host her - don't think twice!!
Thank you… read more
Shakeel showed to be very conscientious, responsable, down to earth, a gentle soul, very… read more
Jan was dedicated, always ready to give a hand, a team player.. he fitted in the group really, really well.
Not to mention that he adopted one of our dogs so we couldn't be more happy to have hosted… read more
To be honest I was a little bit overwhelmed by the fort when I arrived. It was a rainy day and the fort seemed cold, wet and dark. But already the next day I was able to see the light radiated by the people who work in this place.
These people are truly extraordinary. They go the extra mile for every dog they meet. It… read more
Always willing to give a hand, she was doing much more of what was expected from her.
Very caring with the dogs and paying great attention to their wellbeing.
Hard working and responsable, a… read more
Lauri is easy going, kind, calm, genuine, he never complains and is always willing to help.. in a very short time he became our favorite Estonian in the whoooole world (and the fact that he is… read more
The place is amazing, full of history with cozy and big houses for them. It is admiring to see such a devotion from the team to make… read more
Girls, thank you… read more
I staid just a little more than one month here. And I will be back soon..
I will try to speak about all parts of this shelter : (with my english, maybe you must translate in your english)
- Shelter : he's so fun, beautiful but let your confort… read more
I really don't know where to start. I've stayed with them for 18 wonderful days. Everyone was amazing, picked me up at the bus station, great accommodation - I really loved the trailer! :grinning:
When it comes to food, let's just say that I ate better here (in a shelter for dogs) than on my previous Workaway project, a 4 star… read more
They loved dogs and treat like their kids. Also dogs love them too!! I could see that dogs are very very happy to be in this shelter.
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