Help in an amazing animal shelter close to Chisinau, Republic of Moldova

Details

• 

  Description

  Hi there !
  I have been volunteering in this animal shelter for one year and I would like to help Ira, the owner, to have more volunteers there because she really needs help.
  There are 300 hundred dogs in the shelter and about 50 cats.
  Some employees are working to feed the animals, cleaning and doing the maintenance stuffs but they don't do the cares or take out the dogs, that's why volunteers are needed.
  There are already some volunteers who you can meet.

• 

  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
• 

  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  You will be in a team with Moldovan people and some international volunteers.
  Ira, the owner of the shelter, speaks perfectly English.
  The shelter works with some organizations in German and Austria, some members of them come sometimes at the shelter.
  The shelter is close to Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, where you can go by bus. It's a very interesting city, between sovietic and European cultures.

• 

  Help

  DOGS
  The more important task for the volunteers is to take out the dogs and to clean the cages. Some dogs just go in the garden and others go for a walk with a leash.
  Other tasks : feeding the animals and some veterinary cares.
  
  CATS
  The cats lack attention, play, medical care...The kittens grow up wild because of this, and will have less chance for adoption.
  So, the volunteers who adore cats, will come specifically to volunteer with cats. This will include :
  - giving deworming, glee treatment
  - feed them
  - socialize with them
  - help with washing dishes from cats (this is done by a worker, but they don't always manage to do it all, so help is needed)
  - help with changing bed sheets, blankets for them (also done by a worker, but help is needed, so to get involved in this also)
  If the person doesn’t mind, also could sleep with the cats.
  So, this will be the profile of the volunteer especially for cats.
  If they feel that they have time and also desire to help out with the dogs - they are welcome to do so, but their primary position and tasks will be specifically for cats.
  
  We would like also some help to take photos and post them on the Facebook pages to promote adoptions
  It's better if you are used to be with animals but it's not an obligation, our animals are very nice and no dangerous at all !
  We only accept people who are ready to involve themselves physically and especially psychologically. We need people who really love animals and are ready to dedicate themselves to them for a while. It is hard work, and it takes a lot of time and effort to teach you, that's why we ask for a minimum stay of 3 weeks (but it can be discussed).
  Moreover, we dislike when people leave before the date they said, because it's a lot of organization for us to plan and to organize volunteers tasks. So,please think before to apply !
  Other point : our local volunteers are used to help around 10 hours per day. But please don't feel obliged to follow them all the day, you stop working when you want to !

• 

  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent
  Romanian: Fluent
  Russian: Fluent

• 

  Accommodation

  THe work is a bit hard and demanding, outdoor and consists mainly in:
  Walking some dogs on the leash
  Helping take out some dogs, usually puppies in hands to the walking area
  Make photos, videos of necessary dogs and cats
  Socialize, cuddle, maybe handling and education, adapting the dogs, maybe cats too - for their future adoption
  Other similar activities
  Feeding some of the dogs or cats
  Helping with carrying buckets in the feeding time (sometimes)
  
  But in the same time the outdoor activities give you an excellent occasion to challenge yourself for adapting to this conditions, the companion animals are of course great pals and communication partners, we can learn a lot from their way to be.
  Usually at the beginning the dogs bark a lot when they see a new person. But after 2-3 days the dogs get used to you and you - to the dogs.
  THe main tasks include: walking some dog on a leash, some of them are less used to it.
  
  Please take working clothes and shoes, to be warm and safe in mood, rain and snow when it's close to winter time. If you cannot take, we can guide you to some markets in Chișinău (uniforms and working clothes, shoes or second hand clothes market).
  
  THe washing water (household and animals use) brought by tractor and cistern (3-5 tons) once or twice a week. Drinking water - from water springs 3-4 km, by car in bigger plastic bottles.
  Unfortunately there are many rats, except the rooms for sleep.
  
  The team / workers are mostly from nearby villages speak Romanian and some Russian. Irina the admin speaks fluent English, but usually Irina reaches the shelter by 14-15.00 and stays till late night (21-22.00) daily.
  
  THe things which we should take care of are:
  - the language (English is ok, but please try to learn basic Romanian or RUssian words),
  - work. Everything will be explained, the most important is desire and self-motivation, attitude for animals. THe work is hard, mainly because of some aspects regarding the conditions (no kitchen, or very little possibility to cook), an electronic kettle for tea and coffee.
  
  Our aim and objectives is to offer the dogs and cats the adaptation to new families in order to be adopted, well, adoption from animal shelters is not very popular especially in the villages.

• 

  What else ...

  The shelter is lost in the countryside so be ready to be far from the civilization ! But you can take a bus to go to the capital, it's around 45 minutes.
  There is a lake near the shelter where you can swim in summer. In winter you can walk on the ice if you like adventure !
  There are some nice walks to do around the shelter and you can also visit other places in Moldova thanks to buses : Tiraspol, Orheil Vechi, Comrat, Tipova, Saharna, monasteries...it's also very easy to go to Romania or Ukraine for some days.
  We can help you to organize your trip.

• 

  A little more information

  • 

    Internet access

  • 

    Limited internet access

  • 

    We have pets

  • 

    We are smokers

  • 

    Can host families

• 

  Space for parking camper vans

  We have a parking near the shelter to welcome the campervans, we just have to know the size in advance to organize it. In winter it can be difficult to access :(

• 

  Can possibly accept pets

  Yes of course, if your pet is friendly with cats and dogs !

• 

  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

• 

  Hours expected

  15 hours/week- no food, 25 hours/week- food

Feedback (26)