Cyprus
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We are a small, registered, not for profit, family run, animal Sanctuary. We rescue, rehabilitate and rehome unwanted, abused and neglected animals at our family farm near Larnaca Airport, on the island of Cyprus. I'm Rochelle (59), the founder and together with my daughter, Ellie (21), we take care of 35 stray/injured dogs and puppies, 15 rehabilitated rescued horses, 17 rescued cats and kittens, 2 pigs, several rescued chickens and a flock of previously injured birds. Our sanctuary is situated in a beautiful rural valley with stunning views all around, and hardly a human to be seen in a week!
We aim to rehome as many of our rehabilitated dogs as we can, and we have rehomed hundreds of dogs to the UK and Europe since 2013 when we unexpectedly began this vocation. The sanctuary is a home environment so you will not see dogs living in cages, but running around freely with each other, playing and having a great country life. We are home to a group of disabled dogs, and most of these stay with us to live their lives out at the sanctuary. You'll see them running around in their wheelchairs playing with the other dogs and enjoying being loved family dogs. Our horses live in a free herd too, and are friendly, and keen to be ridden and walked out. We use natural horsemanship, gentle training, and encourage our horses to work in partnership with us.
We are just 2 people, so volunteers make a huge difference to us. We need help taking care of the animals, feeding twice daily, cleaning habitats, walking dogs and horses, providing companionship for all the animals. We also need help with habitat repairs, fencing repairs, and general fixing of the farm.
I should mention that we also have around 100 olive trees on our farm, and we produce our own fabulous quality organic olive oil. We try to sell this to make money for the Sanctuary needs. Being only 2 people, we struggle with harvest and irrigation - so, yes, we really appreciate volunteers to take care of these wonderful trees!
What you will find if you volunteer with us, is a family, a home, and a safe place in the world for animals who have no one else.
Charity Work
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
You will learn so much here! The work is very hands on and your knowledge of animals will broaden massively. You'll experience life in a sanctuary and see how we care for the animals day-to-day. Certainly you will experience the dedication and hard work involved in giving disadvantaged animals a healthy, happy life!
We need people to help with the animals, and also maintenance and DIY. There is a lot of poop picking involved in caring for the animals, so this shouldn't be an issue for you!
Help with the horses:
We have a herd of rescue horses that need to be cared for daily. It is a physical job so being physically fit is important. The main duties you would helping us with would be;
-Feeding the horses morning and evening.
-Letting them out of their stables and putting them to bed.
-Making up hay nets and distributing them around the paddock 3 times a day.
-Poo picking/mucking out the stables and paddock.
-Brushing and washing the horses when needed.
Help with the dogs:
We have up to 40 dogs that need care and friendship. Some have special needs so a love for dogs is a MUST if you'd like to work with them. The duties you would be helping us with are;
-Feeding morning and evening. .
-Poop picking all areas where dogs are.
-Cleaning and disinfecting dog areas.
-Changing their blankets in their beds when needed.
-Putting disabled dogs into their wheels and taking them out again.
-Walking dogs!
-Befriending nervous dogs and dogs that need human interaction so they become socialised.
-Take lots of photos and videos so we can promote our dogs for adoption.
Help with maintenance and DIY:
There is always something to be fixed around the sanctuary so we need someone that is keen to do this type of work. Some examples of jobs include:
-Fixing holes in fences.
-Repairing the horse stables.
-Repairing anything that may need it such as fixing gates, or putting on new paint!
Don't forget the OLIVE GROVES and all the trees needing loving care!!
This work may vary depending on they day. No two days are the same here so you could be doing new things during your working week - but remember that we are always here to help you too!
English: Fluent
We live in a large farmhouse house with spacious, en-suite bedrooms. All bedrooms have a balcony/patio. When we have less volunteers, you will have your own room, but sharing is a possibility.
All meals/beverages are included. Breakfast is DIY and taken either first thing or after the animals are fed, depending on your preference. Lunch is DIY. Dinner is taken together in the evening at the family table. We are vegetarian! AND, we love food, so you won't go hungry here!
Please note that dogs and cats live in the house, so if you are allergic to them or scared of them, this isn't the best place for you. We do allow dogs in bedrooms so you're welcome to have them with you during the night! We like to keep our place tidy so we appreciate people who pick up after themselves (the dogs will take your shoes if you don't put them away). Smoking is allowed but away from the property. We eat vegetarian food here.
We live in a peaceful area so you can explore the valley and it's nature on your days off, or catch the bus/get a lift into Larnaca to see the historic sights. You can go to the beach, or you are welcome to sunbathe on our roof with 360 degree views.
We live near a village with a bakery and pharmacy which are only a short walk away.
Stavrovouni Monastery sits on top of a mountain nearby and we have had volunteers walk up there from the farm gate within a couple of hours (with dogs!). The views from the top are breath-taking.
There are local bus connections from Larnaca to other interesting historic places, so you can explore the island too. We host people from all over the world so you may learn a new language or taste new food!
You're also more than welcome to lounge around with the dogs, and play with the cats! And, don't forget the horses - we can teach you about equine care and maybe even riding if we have time.
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Two
5 hours per day. 5 days per week. Our volunteers must have good physical health for our lifestyle!
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