Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
19 Apr 2024
Reply rate
90.7 %
Usually responds within 8 days
Feedback
55
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
This is a charity that provides a safe place and care, for the many dogs that are found abandoned or stray in the Baix Ebre region. We currently have over 100 dogs and puppies who are given love, shelter, food and if needed, medication while we do our best to find them the loving forever, homes that they deserve, both here in Spain and internationally in other European countries. We are a non-profit organization that is run by a staff of volunteers and, since its startup eighteen years ago, has rescued over 5000 dogs. We couldn't do this without our volunteers or the support of the local community and our international friends.
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
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
While we can speak English, some Dutch, and French, we speak mainly Catalan, but can also speak Spanish so this will help people who want to improve or learn new languages and about the Catalan culture. It is a great opportunity for individuals who have a passion for dogs, and our organisation is set in the beautiful Catalan countryside surrounded by mountains of Els Ports and near to the river Ebre. The neighbouring villages have cozy bars and cafes. The main city Tortosa is just a short drive as is the renowned Delta with its conservation area, ideal for birdwatching, and the sandy beaches and coves at L'Ampolla.
Help
Please note that temperatures in July/August can often be as high as 40c, so it is very important that you are happy to work/sleep in a very hot environment.
Volunteers are needed to help with cleaning the dog pens, feeding the dogs, changing the water buckets, playing with and socializing the dogs, and generally helping to keep the environment clean and safe for the dogs and visitors. They may also be required to help with pruning olive trees or harvesting the olives and carobs. As our organisation expands they will also need volunteers to help with chain link fencing and other building projects, so any experience in plumbing, building would be really helpful, but not essential. In November/December you may be asked to pick olives.
Languages spoken
Catalan: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
French: Fluent
English: Intermediate
Dutch: Intermediate
Accommodation
Volunteers would be required to live onsite in a small touring caravan, of which there are three available so there is no need to share. There are toilet and shower facilities available to volunteers. Food will be supplied to volunteers so they will be able to cook their own meals, although they are also welcome to eat with the other volunteers at lunchtime. Bottled mountain spring water is supplied.
It is important to remember that the rescue is off-grid. This means that electricity is supplied to the main building by solar and so is limited. Unfortunately, heated appliances such as hair straighteners or hair dryers are not suitable for off-grid living. Water is also limited as it has to be bought in rather than pumped to the site.
What else ...
PLEASE NOTE: We are currently looking for one volunteer for 31st January to 21st February.
Volunteers will have the opportunity to get lifts into Tortosa for shopping. They are highly encouraged to take advantage of the stunning surroundings for hiking and picnicking. We are in the process of trying to get donations of bikes for volunteer use, but there are regular train services from Tortosa to Barcelona, Valencia, and Tarragona. It is very important that volunteers are comfortable around dogs, particularly as some of the dogs are nervous or frightened due to ill-treatment or abuse. As you are sleeping on-site earplugs would be a necessity.
Please note, at the moment I am only able to answer emails at the weekend due to a busy work schedule. Thank you for your understanding and patience!
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (36)
I spent three and a half weeks at this shelter in March/April and the time was truly incredible!
I met so many amazing people AND dogs and had many experiences that I still look back on fondly!
The other workawayers, the local volunteers and especially Carmen made me… read more
All the dogs (80+) are super friendly and cuddleable (some are shy though) and every kennel can be entered without any problem (just make sure the dogs don't escape 😅). There was only a single dog with a biting history, but he is a nice and… read more
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:
(4.9)
Communication:
(4.7)
I spent three and a half weeks at this shelter in March/April and the time was truly incredible!
I met so many amazing people AND dogs and had many experiences that I still look back on fondly!
The other workawayers, the local volunteers and especially Carmen made me… read more
All the dogs (80+) are super friendly and cuddleable (some are shy though) and every kennel can be entered without any problem (just make sure the dogs don't escape 😅). There was only a single dog with a biting history, but he is a nice and… read more
¡Solo decir que me quedé más tiempo de lo planeado y que me habría quedado más tiempo con esta familia dice mucho sobre lo fantástico que es el lugar allí! No sólo los hermosos perros, sino también Carmen, Susy, Nacho y tantas otras personas fueron muy amables… read more
We got up between… read more
All these amazing dogs have their very own personality which makes every single day so special. One of… read more
The tasks at the shelter mainly included taking care of the… read more
I came because I wanted to get a better understanding how to interact with dogs and in general get a better understanding of them.
I really learnt a lot.
All the people I've met here re really nice and amazed me. Everyone was very friendly to me and took time to explain things… read more
Everyone working at are putting there heart into it and will welcome you with open arms.
The area where the shelter is located is… read more
I recommand this place for every dog lovers. You will feel so usefull and the job is rewarding as well. If you have free time and want to give help somewhere, just go there ! You won't regret… read more
Creo que la acogida es tan cálida como en España, ¡los perros son igual de adorables!
Carmen, la anfitriona y garante del albergue es una persona extraordinaria. Carmen revisa regularmente nuestras necesidades. Es tan paciente como generosa. Por no… read more
Thanks for everything.
A big thank you to Carmen and the team.
Hasta… read more
Everyone was so kind and patient with us.
We only had to work in the morning and for the rest of the day we had free time .
Carmen the owner of the shelter is iconic.We laughed a lot !!!
Everybody wants the best for the dogs and sacrifice lot of their time for them!
The dogs have a very good life at the… read more
Carmen, the host, clearly loves all the dogs and welcomed me in. I cannot fault her hospitality or dedication to the rescue. She would purchase groceries for us to to cook. The caravans were… read more
There are SO many dogs, and I fell in love with so many of them, and it… read more
I was only their a week but it's a place and experience I'll never forget.
We cleaned kennels, help dogs to relax & to do olfaction games, and prepared decorations for the Christmas market.
Good to know : take clothes you can dirt ! The dirt worth the quality time with dogs& other volunteers !
Carmen welcomed us with open arms and made us feel at… read more
worker, who loves cooking and learning new recipes typical of where she is visiting
Christa is quiet and neat, and she has left her mark on all of us at the shelter.
The refuge is very nice, clean and all the dogs there are very friendly (except couple of dogs but carmen would told you to not go). We had to clean kennels every day, change water,… read more
Welcoming people, who put heart and soul into their work at the dog pound. I'm really happy I had the opportunity to stay there and to meet all those lovely little strayers and I hope you find homes for many of them! Really hoping… read more
Thank you, Nicholas for everything!
