Volunteer work
We are always happy to have volunteers at our shelter because it is important to always take good care of our loved dogs.
Find us also on Worldpackers.
Experiences
Here are some of the experiences that our volunteers made with us.
"Meine Erfahrung hier am shelter war unfassbar schön. Meine Drei Wochen hier vergingen wie im Flug weil man hier immer etwas zutun hat. Die Arbeit mit den Hunden macht unfassbar viel Spaß, sie sind mir alle ans Herz gewachsen. Ich komme aufjedenfall wieder."
"Experiência incrível! Nelly e Franco são pessoas adoráveis. O trabalho é tranquilo e o amor que você recebe dos cães vale por tudo. Recomendo mais pessoas viverem essa experiência. A ONG precisa de mais voluntários para ajudar no cuidado diário com os cães. O trabalho que você terá será limpar, repor a comida, levar para passear, brincar, dar e receber muito amor. ♥️"
"Loved my time here ! Nelly and Franco were very friendly and welcoming, Work was manageable and the times were great ! Loved all the dogs and walks 🐶 Getting to know the other volunteers and learn about many cultures was probably my highlight!"
"The dog shelter is great. I have fell in love with all of the dogs there!!! You really grow close to them quickly! The hosts franco and nelly are sooo nice, eventhought it would definitly help you to know at least some italian, but at the same time, I also didnt know any word and it worked out. The work is sometimes hard but rewarding! The nature around is beautiful. I will never forget this experience and thank you for everything Nelly and Franco!"
"Volunteering at Ciccio Garibaldi was the best thing I’ve ever done. The hosts, Nelly and Franco, are so so welcoming, kind and generous, and will make you feel right at home. And the dogs will just melt your heart of course!! We worked for 5 hours a day, from 7am until 12pm. The work is straightforward, but can be physical at times (lots of walking, stairs, cleaning, scrubbing etc.). Overall, this was an amazingggg experience that I would recommend to everyone! I was sooo sad to leave in the end and I miss it there already! I will absolutely be returning to the shelter!!"
Your daily work
We ask for help in taking care of the dogs in our care – clean their enclosures, give them food and water, take them on walks, and play and cuddle with them. We might also need help with general maintenance on the property and enclosures at times and with general housekeeping activities. We welcome any talent you may have to offer to help us in our mission of improving the lives of strays in Sicily. Maybe you know a lot about social media, photography, organizing, graphic design, or are familiar with organizations that work with shelters to find homes for abandoned dogs in other countries. We welcome everyone who is willing to work for our dogs with passion and creativity.
The occasional general maintenance would include tasks such as mending fences and maintaining dog enclosures. We might also ask for help with yard work. Picking up branches, clearing brush and debris, etc.
Activities & Shift
Caring for our dogs is time-consuming and unpredictable. Daily activities will depend on the weather as well as the needs of the dogs, but most days we work from 7-8 in the morning till 1-2 pm, with free time in the afternoon. During the hot summer months this changes to working early in the morning and late afternoon, with a break in between. Volunteers normally work five days a week, with two days off to rest and explore the area.
We also ask for help with ad hoc tasks in the afternoon sometimes. These could include vet visits, picking up new dogs from the street, giving medication or random emergencies.
Please keep in mind that the work is very physical, and while you will be provided with gloves and the proper tools, cleaning up after dogs involves removing dog poop from their living area, among other things. Please do not contact us if you are not willing or able to work hard and get dirty.
Rules
General housekeeping activities are common sense and everyday practices: cooking and food preparation, washing dishes after eating, sweeping and mopping regularly, and maintaining a tidy and sanitary inside environment.
Everyone living together deserves a comfortable and respectful environment. Cleanliness and consideration for others are essential.
Housing and Living
In exchange for your precious help, we offer a simple shared accomodation, equipped with a kitchen and a bathroom.
The volunteer house is located down a bit of a steep walk. It gets good sun during the morning and early afternoon. It’s not very bright inside but there are lots of lamps and a small terrace to enjoy the Italian sunshine. Every room has a couple plugs to charge your devices. You are provided with blankets and sheets or you can bring your own sleeping bag, whichever you prefer!
It can be a bit overwhelming at first, living with up to 7 volunteers is a big change for most people, without much privacy, but you’ll also build beautiful memories of the time shared with the other volunteers and we know you’ll find amazing friends for life!
If it’s cold we have a wood stove (we provide pre-cut wood) that keeps the house warm all night, and can also be used for cooking, providing an extra stove top and oven. There is a clothing rack to dry clothes, and a washing machine.
Overall it’s a basic but cozy space surrounded by dogs and nature. A truly wonderful experience!
Founder & Intermediary (Italian)
(+39) 327 0523815
Responsible for volunteers (Italian)
(+39) 335 809 9694