A woman with blonde hair, wearing a black tank top and striped skirt, cradles a black and white dog in her arms, standing in front of a fence.
A relaxed cat and dog share a cozy white cushion outdoors. The cat looks alert while the dog rests, both enjoying a peaceful moment together.
The image depicts a group of dogs standing on a porch, with a green bucket visible in the foreground and a building in the background.
The image depicts two dogs, one standing and one lying down, in front of a wire mesh enclosure with a wooden frame, set against a red concrete floor.
A person\'s hands gently cradle the head of a small white dog with light-brown ears, set against a blurred background.
The image depicts a small dog in a cage, with a metal grate and a rope tied to it, set against a white background.
A simple bedroom with a wooden bed, red-striped bedding, wardrobe with mirror, blue jacket hanging, window with grill, electric fan, and some items on the floor.
The image shows a small tabby kitten with white paws sitting on someone\'s lap, looking directly at the camera with large eyes.
Three women walk their dogs on a sandy beach with gentle waves and a blue sky with wispy clouds, surrounded by trees in the distance.
updated  

Join our cats & dogs shelters in Balapetiya, Sri Lanka

Profile information

  • rating

    Host rating

    100 %

  • Last replied

    Last replied

    27 Jan 2026

  • Reply rate

    Reply rate

    95.7 %

    Usually responds within 5 days

  • feedbacks

    Feedback

    40

  • Email verified

    Email verified

Badges (4)

Email verified
Top Host
Facebook verified
Give the gift of Workaway
read more

Find your perfect host

View the full host list

Availability

  2026 

 Min stay requested: at least a week

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

What's this?

Details

  • Description

    Description

    We are always looking for long-term volunteers (for 1 month or longer)!

    Flight Buddies Needed: If you would like to support us as a flight buddy by accompanying adopted dogs to their new families, please get in touch with us. Qatar Airways is the suitable airline, and in Germany the following airports are possible for arrivals with animals on board: Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin.

    Small Shelter – Balapitiya
    Our small private shelter, currently home to 6 dogs and 16 cats, is located in Balapitiya. Volunteers stay directly at the shelter with me (the founder). Your tasks include: Walking the dogs, Feeding, Showering, Cleaning, Caring for the cats and dogs.
    This support is extremely important, as there are many additional tasks required to keep the organization running. Once a month, I travel to Nilaveli for at least 1–2 weeks. During this time, volunteers in Balapitiya take care of the animals independently. Of course, I am always available online if any issues arise.
    We provide free breakfast (toast, butter, jam, eggs, seasonal fruits, tea, coffee). A fully equipped kitchen is available, so you can cook for yourself or we can cook together. There are also several restaurants nearby.
    Please note: We only accept volunteers who stay at least 2–3 weeks in Balapitiya.

    Important Information: it is highly recommended to have a scooter driving license and be willing to rent a scooter or share one with other volunteers.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Charity Work
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
    Help with Computers/ Internet
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    There are many things you can learn from the animals and with the animals.
    Flexibility, self-confidence, and exploring a different way of living are some of the things you can experience here.

  • Help

    Help

    Feeding, medical treatment, cleaning, going for walks, spending time playing with cats and dogs, giving them showers, dog training, taking videos and pictures, helping with social media, loooots of cuddling.

  • Languages spoken

    German: Fluent
    English: Intermediate
    Spanish: Intermediate
    Indonesian: Beginner

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Balapitiya: My house (a small, private shelter) has 3 volunteer rooms. Volunteers live together with me, 6 dogs, and 16 cats. The area is peaceful and less touristic. The beach is reachable within a 10-minute walk. There is one surf school nearby, and we are close to the turtle rescue center. The cats live with us inside the house, and the dogs mostly stay outside. Please do not expect a hotel – it is a local house with many pets.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    Balapitiya has a really good infrastructure. You can easily take a bus to Ambalangoda, Bentota, or Galle, for example, and explore more of the south coast.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    We have a very good wifi at my in Balapetiya house. If there are no powercuts, then you can work 24h online.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • My animals / pets

    My animals / pets

Host ref number: 646983347412

Website Safety

Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host

+16

Feedback (22)

View all 22 feedbacks

Photos

A relaxed cat and dog share a cozy white cushion outdoors. The cat looks alert while the dog rests, both enjoying a peaceful moment together.
The image depicts a group of dogs standing on a porch, with a green bucket visible in the foreground and a building in the background.
The image depicts two dogs, one standing and one lying down, in front of a wire mesh enclosure with a wooden frame, set against a red concrete floor.
A person\'s hands gently cradle the head of a small white dog with light-brown ears, set against a blurred background.
The image depicts a small dog in a cage, with a metal grate and a rope tied to it, set against a white background.
A simple bedroom with a wooden bed, red-striped bedding, wardrobe with mirror, blue jacket hanging, window with grill, electric fan, and some items on the floor.
 Show all photos
The image shows a small tabby kitten with white paws sitting on someone\'s lap, looking directly at the camera with large eyes.
Three women walk their dogs on a sandy beach with gentle waves and a blue sky with wispy clouds, surrounded by trees in the distance.
A woman with blonde hair, wearing a black tank top and striped skirt, cradles a black and white dog in her arms, standing in front of a fence.

Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host

+16

Feedback

These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.

Accuracy of profile:
(4.8)

Cultural exchange:
(4.7)

Communication:
(5.0)

Homestays, Volunteering & Working Holidays in Sri LankaHomestays, Volunteering & Working Holidays in AsiaLast minute Homestays, Volunteering & Working Holidays in Sri Lanka
Stay with our friendly family and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Bandarawela, Sri Lanka
Become part of our newest surfing spot for travellers in the heart of Mirissa, Sri Lanka

Your next adventure begins today

Join the Workaway community today to unlock unique travel experiences with over 50,000 opportunities around the globe.

Join Now