Help at our dog shelter and experience life in rural Sicily!

Top Host: This host receives lots of worldpackers and has a high average rating, being recognized by the community as a Top Host.
Help a sustainable project: 41 travelers confirmed that this host is actively contributing to a more sustainable future for everyone!
Higher chance of approval: This host has recently approved volunteers and is looking for more applications.
Connect with international travelers: 55 travelers recommend this host to meet travelers from all around the world
Connect with nature: 52 travelers recommend this experience for reconnecting with nature
Accepts couples and pairs of volunteers

Save to Wishlist

Apply Now

What you offer

25h

Hours per week: Help out and collaborate with your host only a few hours per week.

Animal Care: Help look after and take care of animals.

Learn more

What you get

Days off per week: Have some time off for yourself, go explore the city or rest for a while.

Shared Dorm: You will have a bed in a shared room, which means you will share the same room with other travelers.

Basic Internet Access: Basic speed internet for you to work remotely

Use our equipped kitchen: Feel free to use our kitchen and make your own delicious food.

Free Laundry: You can use our laundry room freely.

Bikes at your disposal: You can use our bikes any time you want.

Pick Up: We will pick you up when you arrive, and take you to our property.

Support: Get help from the Worldpackers support team in case you need it, at any point of your trip.

Verified Host: This host has been verified by our team before joining the community.

WP Safeguard: Did something not go as planned? Contact our team.; Learn more

Learn more

Availability

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

Stay at least: 3 weeks

The Experience

We welcome volunteers in our countryside home in Sicily where they can be part of a community of travellers and make a difference in the lives of the dogs in our care - by helping to clean their enclosures, give them food and water, take them on walks, and provide as much individualized attention as possible. Our NGO, with the help of a passionate community of volunteers, strives to cure and find loving homes for the many strays in our area.

Learn more

Requirements

Beginner English or Beginner Italian
Over 18 years old
Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers

What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

Learn more

Talk to those who have lived the experience

In our community, you can talk to worldpackers who have already collaborated with this host and get your questions answered directly.

You can ask things like:

a) How was your experience with this host?
b) How was your day-to-day routine?
c) How much did you spend on this trip?

+22

Exclusive for members

Connect with those who will also be there

Become a Verified Member and exchange ideas before your trip with other worldpackers who will be volunteering in the same place as you.

Become a member

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Join the host in pursuit of these goals and contribute to building a better and more sustainable future for all.

Good health and well-being

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

Life on land

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.

Peace, justice and strong institutions

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development.

Learn more

65 Reviews

5.0

Host & Team

4.5

Hours & Tasks

5.0

Animal Shelter

4.5

Learning & Fun

5.0

How this experience will transform you

55 Meeting international travelers
52 Get in touch with nature
36 Meeting locals
36 Immersing in the local culture
33 Creating true social impact
23 Developing social awareness

This host contributes to Sustainable Development Goals

31 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions
26 15. Life on land
25 3. Good health and well-being

Marius

Romania

Neli and Franco are really some amazing people. The way they built the shelter and the care for the dogs is something rare indeed. Absolutely recommend this place for the ones who really want to make an impact in this world. Grazie mille è alla prossima, Marius

14 days ago

Jana

Belgium

This was my first volunteering experience and I couldn't recommend it more! Nelli and Franco are the nicest people you'll ever meet. Nelli has such a big heart for her dogs and is always happy to help with anything. Franco's Sunday dinners are the best, you'll be looking forward to them all week! The work can be a bit physical, but it's so rewarding. The dogs give you so much love, and Bimba, the house dog, will steal your heart on day one. I originally planned to stay for 3 weeks but ended up staying for 2 months because I loved it so much!

20 days ago

Shae

Australia

I loved volunteering here. It can be hard work and tiring most days, but I enjoyed every second of it. The shelter itself is organised and every dog is taken care of. Nely and Franco are so lovely and they clearly care for every animal in and around the shelter. The living area is quaint but it is comfortable and clean so long as the volunteers keep it that way. I appreciate Franco always being happy to drive us to the bus or grocery store whenever we needed. The area is truly beautiful and a type of place I don't get to see everyday. My only wish is that I could have adopted a little friend🤍

about 1 month ago

Elena

Germany

I will never forget the shared laughter, warm atmosphere and beautiful days at Rifugio the shelter. Nelly and Franco make you feel right at home, they are generous & warmhearted hosts who care about you 🥰 I grew fond of all the dogs over the four weeks and already miss them very much 🐶 The cosy house invites you to enjoy dinner and card game evenings with the other volunteers from all around the world and Bimba plays ball with you all day long 🌞 Grazie di tutto, ci rivedremo presto ❤️

about 2 months ago

Nilla Lene

Germany

My stay at the rifugio was an unforgettable experience. Nely and Franco are such friendly people and their sunday lunches were amazing. I loved spending time with the dogs because every single one of them was wonderful and has earned a special place in my heart. Spending time with the other volunteers was great. I've met many incredible people who were a big part of the whole experience. This was my first volunteering project and I would recommend this to everyone who loves dogs and spending time with them. The rifugio is a great place to really make an impact and I will definitely come back💕

about 2 months ago

View all

View all 36 photos

About the host

• Recently Online

Hosted by Dalma

Top Host: This host receives a lot of worldpackers and has a high average rating.
Response Rate: This host usually answers to 90% of the messages
Response Time: This host usually writes back in Less than a day
1 published videos: This host has 1 published videos showing a little bit about their place

Want to know more about this host?

We only provide detailed host information and videos to Members

Become a member

Academy

How to become an outstanding Worldpacker

Understand how the volunteer experience works, what hosts value in exchange and what it's like to live collaborating with people from all over the world!

45min
4.7

Academy

Eco Certificate for Volunteers: Basic Concepts

Learn about ecological projects and travel with purpose. Receive a certificate of completion for this course, increase your chances of acceptance by hosts, and expand your volunteering opportunities, contributing to a positive impact on the world during your travels.