Help with a dog rescue in Bansko, Bulgaria

Spain

4

The project were great and creating a bond with them was the best part of the experience, I will miss them forever! The tasks were as expected but there were almost no days that we were able to leave on time, everything in the morning was supposed to be done in 4h, which was virtually impossible, and we would end up staying as long as 1h late. Although the work they are doing with the project is flawless and you can see that they care deeply about them, Sarah treats volunteers as employees and she even got to be disrespectful to us at times. In the end, it was a good experience overall.

about 1 year ago

Sarah replied

Truly saddened to read this Olivia, and wish you had said anything whilst you were here. I spend time with each of you almost daily and am always available for calls or messages, yet you said nothing. Now to respond in detail so anyone thinking of joining us isn't entirely put off!

It's simply untrue that you never left on time, the first two weeks you had one of the local volunteers with you for every session, myself included, and no matter how much we tried to get you to be mindful of timings things didn't pick up any, yet you still left as scheduled. There was a time you overstayed with me as I was finishing up the tasks and the other volunteers had left, but you offered to stay and help so that you could get a lift home, so we were 30 mins late.

Never were you asked to stay and do more, yet it was appreciated that you seemed eager to finish things as they should be rather than leaving some things for the next session to pick up on - apparently that's not quite it, but again you never said anything so we had no idea. The morning session runs smoothly with two people, yet even with 3 and sometimes even 4 people you guys just weren't getting things done ... We accept that, different volunteers always pick things up at different speeds, but for you to imply you were told to stay longer is wrong. We spent much more time training and reiterating things to you than we normally do, but we can't physically make anyone go quicker. The afternoon sessions were fine for the most part, thankfully.

Having the group chat so that everyone can be updated as to what is happening at the shelter and with specific dogs is necessary, and yes there were many times the messages were pointing out problems and mistakes ... that's the only way things can get better when things aren't as they need to be. If we say nothing things won't improve, and to take the time to individually speak to every person about every little thing just isn't possible. There was hardly a day went by when there weren't simple things that were forgotten in the past month, and as much as you may be annoyed to hear about it daily we're annoyed when the same problems keep occuring - basic things that are done fine when we literally stand over someone to do it, but that's not the point of being on the team! You all have the notion checklist on your phone so shouldn't be forgetting such things when you are more than capable of doing them.

We appreciate you are here as volunteers but there are still standards that have to apply, especially where live animals are involved. Every single person at our project are also volunteers by the way, we all have actual jobs too.

I'm not at all sure when you feel I was disrespectful, but again if you had said something we could have spoken face to face. I know you and Cloe weren't happy when we didn't accept your request to change your leaving date for a second time and at just a few days notice, so perhaps you mean then, but ultimately you made a commitment and we had already been easy going about your date change one time - if you want more days to see a country before you plan to leave you should factor that in when applying for a volunteer position.

I'm glad you still had a good experience overall Olivia, but please, please speak up next time you aren't happy at a placement ... No host wants people to stay quiet about such things and we aren't mind readers! Clear communication is super important, especially when you are at a place for such a short time and don't really know each others communication styles.

We bust our asses day in day out for those dogs and expect other volunteers joining us to do the same ... That's kind of the point of what we are all doing 🤷🏻‍♀️

France

4

Happy to be with the project, and the person who's given their time here.

about 1 year ago

Germany

4

The project are the cutest <3 and I really love how the project live at the shelter! Sarah and Co work really hard to give streetdogs a better life and I admire that. For me it was sometimes difficult that there's a lot to consider and for example cleaning task have to be fulfilled in a certain way. Normally there were several messages in the WhatsApp group per day about what was not up to the expectations. But I did not have the chance to talk to Sarah about that as I fell sick and had to leave earlier. I think Sarah is so you can talk to and there's a lot you can learn from her. =]

about 1 year ago

Sarah replied

We know cleaning isn't a glamorous task but it's an absolute necessity to ensure things don't get missed, so the dogs stay healthy and live as well as they can whilst with us. Everyone learns at different rates, but thankfully we're back on top with everyone cleaning to the same standards - there will always be ups and down, but we'll always strive to keep things the best we can for the dogs here.
I wish we'd had time together also Maarit, am sure there would have been learning each way (and fun too, training the dogs and forest walks are awesome!) but obviously health comes first. Hope you're fully recovered now 😁

Spain

4

The project were all wonderful and each had strong, individual personalities. The work consisted of walking the project and enrichment. The cleaning activities could take up quite a lot of time and energy. It is a demanding job where tasks have to constantly be completed. The apartment was very nice and the girls I stayed and worked with made the experience much more special. Sarah and the permanent volunteers are hardworking people who truly care for the project. Efforts could have been made from the superiors to make the working space more warm and welcoming. Overall, very positive experience :)

over 1 year ago

Sarah replied

Am glad your experience was overall positive Esther, just wish you had said something whilst you were here if there was something you weren't happy with - I don't just ask you each how everything is just to ask, I genuinely want to know how you all are doing with everything. The weekly check ins of your experiences, struggles and progress is also a time to speak up - on future visits please don't be shy to tell your hosts what you need to, any decent people want the volunteers to be happy!
Yes, it's is physically demanding which is why the sessions are just 4 hours long ... doing everything ourselves too we know how much energy it takes 😁

Safe travels on to you 🐾

Switzerland

5

I spent three wonderful weeks at the project. The hardest part was definitely saying goodbye to the project, since you really get to know all their personalities. I also learnt a lot about the responsibilities that come with animal care and it's very rewarding to know the incredible impact that the shelter has on the life of the project. Even though I came in the off season, it was also nice exploring Bansko with fellow volunteers, so overall this was a very positive experience!

over 1 year ago

United Kingdom

5

I really enjoyed my time in bansko. the project are amazing and all so beautiful. The work was well spread between people and I loved the one on one time with the project. It does take Abit of getting used to adjusting tasks to each dog but you pick it up quite quickly. They're all treated very well by everyone at the shelter. I met some amazing people who volunteered with me. So overall loved the experience.

over 1 year ago

Sarah replied

So pleased you enjoyed Bansko Nina. Yes, it does take time to get a handle on the dogs characters, but you did great and we really appreciate your time!

Australia

5

I thoroughly enjoyed my time volunteering at the project. All the project were wonderful to be around and I was very sad to leave. The shelter has a big focus on the project happiness and health which was great. I learnt a lot about the many different ways they go about looking after the project. The work hours are very fair and whenever I had any issues or questions they were always answered promptly.

over 1 year ago

Sarah replied

Thanks so much Bridget, we really appreciate the time and love you gave to the dogs, it was a big help! Safe travels to you

United Kingdom

5

I had a great time volunteering at the project! It was an amazing opportunity to be involved in and to help better understand the work and responsibilities involved in shelter dog care. This is an opportunity I would highly recommend to those who want to connect with locals & the outdoors :)

over 1 year ago

Sarah replied

It was a pleasure to have you here Brooke, glad you enjoyed your stay so much! Safe travels on, shout if you're ever back Bansko way

Australia

5

The project is such an awesome experience . Sarah, Nick and Chris da wonderful job running the shelter and show dedication and love to not only the project they care for, but also broadly to all the strays in Bansko. In only a few short weeks, I had formed such a strong bond to the project, the hardest part of volunteering there was saying goodbye! The volunteer apartment also felt like a home away from home. We would cook, watch movies, and explore the town all together. Bansko is also a great town to relax, unwind and escape big cities for a while. I would highly recommend to anyone!

over 1 year ago

Sarah replied

Thanks so much Nithin, we love that you enjoyed your stay with us! We appreciate the time you gave to these dogs, safe travels on

Austria

5

The project is unparalleled in their dedication and love clearly shown towards the project they care for. Sarah and the team surrounding her have built up something not wanting in quality for those sweet the project. It has been an absolute pleasure to have been part of that even just for a few weeks; I got to learn so much, also outside the shelter and, of course, spent lots of awesome time with all the tiny pups and grown-up pups :) I highly recommend working with BSD in Bansko to all dog lovers!❤️ Thank you for the great experience!

almost 2 years ago

Sarah replied

Thanks so much Hannah, it was great having you here and more help than you can imagine!

Hannah takes initiative, asks if unsure, and can be trusted to get on with what is needed (and then some!). It's great when people visit and enjoy caring for the shelter dogs, but some people just seem to 'click' with the whole idea of what we're doing throughout the town, not just in the shelter, and Hannah was definitely one of them.

We're sad to see you go, and very much look forwards to you coming back next year!

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