Dog Sanctuary Supporter
Coordinator | NATASA
Coordinator | NATASA
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Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
Highlights
EXPERIENCE the animal welfare in GREECE: Learn about the different ways to help the strays. Get a look behind the curtain about how much work goes into taking a dog - the vet, the food, the medicine.
GAIN KNOWLEDGE about dogs: learn about their behavior and boundaries up close; either in a pack or alone.
Learn more about HOW TO HELP animals and HOW TO CHANGE the situation in countries like Greece: get an inside look into a non-profit organization.
Make MEMORIES and FRIENDS from all around the world: learn about cultures and languages while working in a team.
Visit THESSALONIKI and the peninsula CHALKIDIKI: visit the surrounding beaches and cities in your free time and see more of the beautiful country.
Our Dog Sanctuary is a place where the dogs can roam free. They live in the house where you are staying; a unique experience to learn about the dogs and connect with them
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
HOPELAND is from the people for the dogs.
In our program sounds will be surrounded by dogs - day and night. This way you will learn about their behavior and their character very fast.
The activities are all day long - twice per day we feed the dogs, twice per day we clean. In between we have multiple changes (exchange certain group of dogs) meaning while one group is out, the other one is inside. This assures a safe and quiet time for the dogs where they can enjoy the garden, roam around and sleep under the trees. When we are not working we spend our time brushing the dogs, walking them or making sure they get a lot of cuddles. Sometimes we learn them new tricks and day-to-day knowledge for a day like walking on a leash (especially important for the younger dogs).
We have meals all together throughout the day: In the morning after the first feeding is the breakfast; the lunch and the dinner we also eat all together. We can talk about the day, get to know each other and talk about our different cultures and connect.
Since the sanctuary and the dogs depend on the volunteers we take care of you. While there are little breaks in between work you will also get two days off per week where you can go to the beach or explore the cities nearby.
Yes, it can be challenging emotionally and physically sometimes. Especially the first few days will be...a lot. But it is nothing compared to the love and trust you will gain from the dogs. You will build a deep connection that eventually happens when you spend 24/7 with them giving you warmth and comfort. You will learn everything about these special animals: from preparing and feeding the food, cleaning and maintaining their and your living area to handling and teaching them in different and sometimes difficult situations.
One thing is sure: if you love dogs, you will never forget this place.
Typical day
A typical day in Hopeland
7:45 (am) - do the first change and do a quick clean of the floors; one is going down to prepare the food for the dogs
8:30 (am) - another change
8:55 (am) - prepare for feeding (put every dog where they get feed)
9:00 (am) - feeding
10:00 (am) - breakfast; afterwards start the first “big” clean
12:30 (am) - lunch
13:00 (1 pm) until 17:15 (5.15 pm) - free time to cuddle or walk the dogs
17:30 (5.30 pm) - feeding
18:00 (6 pm) - second “big” clean
19:30/20:00 (7.30/8 pm) - dinner
All throughout the day we have the changes (exchanging certain dog groups with others) and some extra stuff (which is not a lot!).
We are always multiple people so we divide the tasks fair and equal.
Free-time activities
Possible activities to spend your free time
In your free time you can explore Thessaloniki City; eat amazing food and see a lot of cool places. There are also other surrounding cities with beaches where you can go and relax under the sun.
You can also take walks with our dogs to the surrounding areas of the shelter, take walks on your own, climb or visit the nearby monastery/view-point.
We have good public transportation but you can also call a taxi or use one of our bikes here at the shelter.
There are many possibilities!
Swimming
Sightseeing
Shopping/
Souvenirs
Souvenirs
Hiking
Museum/
Opera
Opera
Requirements
In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.
You need to speak English (basic level)
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
You should have a minimum of experiences with dogs. Otherwise you could quickly be overwhelmed and scared. It is not necessary to have some sort of training or certificate working with dogs (but it is also very welcome).
Despite your level of knowledge and experience - after Hopeland you definitely will have more!
Despite your level of knowledge and experience - after Hopeland you definitely will have more!
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
from
07:30
- 21:30
What's Included
Breakdown of the Fees
The fees include food for the whole meal with possibilities of special requests. The food is enough for three meals per day. The trip to the grocery store is once a week.
You will a room in the shelter: it can be shared if you’re coming alone or private in case of a couple. The rooms each have one or more fans and some have a balcony.
The bathroom is shared.
We can provide a pick up from the airport or the Center of Thessaloniki on specific hours (except Sunday).
We can also provide a ride to and from the Center of Thessaloniki if, for example, you want to visit the city on your free day.
Airport Pick-Up
We can pick you up from the Airport in Thessaloniki. The drive to shelter is about 15 minutes with the car.
The accommodation
The accommodation is in the shelter either shared or private in case of a couple.
We have no air conditioning but fans in every room.
The bathroom is shared.
It is never completely quiet in the night since we live with dogs but they also have to sleep sometimes. The bedrooms upstairs are dog-free except for one bedroom downstairs.
It is basic but clean.
Food and Drinks
Once or twice per week we bring grocery. You can write us a list but everything has to be reasonable.
For extra stuff you need there is a little shop nearby. You can also ask us to bring it from the “big” grocery trip.
We buy anything you want (if it is reasonable) except alcohol and soft drinks.
Good access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
The nearest airport is Thessaloniki International Airport (SKG) in Thessaloniki. We assist you to find cheap flights to Greece.
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Greece provides security and is a plus to have.
If you are intending to volunteer in Greece you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Greece.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Details on arrival
Since our shelter runs 365 days a year, we also except and welcome volunteers all throughout the year.
In terms of arrival times and places:
If you arrive at the airport or in the city we can pick you up. There are also busses driving from Thessaloniki to Souroti, where our shelter is located. It would be best to arrive before 10 pm in the evening and after 7 am in the morning since otherwise everyone is sleeping.
Exceptions can be talked about!
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
3 - 40 weeks
Program fees
3 weeks
(min. stay)
$321
4 weeks
$375
6 weeks
$428
8 weeks
$482
10 weeks
$535
18 weeks
$995
40 weeks
(max. stay)
$2,140
Average fees
$80
/week
The organization charges its fees in EUR. The price table in USD is subject to currency fluctuation.
Hopeland Dog Sanctuary
will let you know about the final price during your application process.
The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.
Your final payment will be agreed with Hopeland Dog Sanctuary during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
Why book with Volunteer World
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application process
- including all necessary payments. Planning your next meaningful trip with Volunteer World gives you free access to our:
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Refund Guarantee
We refund your fees if Hopeland Dog Sanctuary cancels your trip
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Our services are free of charge!
All program fees are charged directly by Hopeland Dog Sanctuary.
What are people saying about Volunteer World?
Dog Sanctuary Supporter
Our Dog Sanctuary is a place where the dogs can roam free. They live in the house where you are staying; a unique experience to learn about the dogs and connect with them
$75/week
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