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: 45 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: 59 travelers recommend this host to meet travelers from all around the world
Connect with nature: 56 travelers recommend this experience for reconnecting with nature
Needs help immediately
Accepts couples and pairs of volunteers

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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.

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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

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Availability

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

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.

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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

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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?

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

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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.

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71 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

59 Meeting international travelers
56 Get in touch with nature
41 Immersing in the local culture
39 Meeting locals
38 Creating true social impact
25 Developing social awareness

This host contributes to Sustainable Development Goals

33 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions
30 15. Life on land
27 3. Good health and well-being

Rio

Italy

What an experience! If you really want to be useful and have a positive impact, this is the place. The dogs deserve the best care in the world and Nelly and Franco always do their best (and more) to provide it. The work consists of cleaning cages and feeding and walking the dogs. It's physical work and can be tiring, especially when there are not enough volunteers, but it's simple and the love you get from the dogs will always make it worth it. The house is cozy but really basic. The shelter is in a quite isolated place, Franco will drive you to the supermarket and the bus stop. Come help! ❤️

17 days ago

Lina

Germany

I really enjoyed my time at Nellys and Francos shelter. They really put all their love in helping the dogs which is impressive!! I would totally recommend going there If you like animals (especially dogs;) and if you are ok with staying in a not too fancy house (which I would say was really cozy) I stayed during November/December and would recommend to bring warm clothes for the nights and maybe also raining boots for work. The nature around ist really beautiful, but the next little town ist about 20 minutes by car, just so you know:)) It was my first volunteer experience and it was great!!

18 days ago

Lizzie

United Kingdom

This has been one of the best experiences of my life, i cannot stress that enough! i have met the most adorable dogs who all deserve so much love! please love them with all your heart! i have also met some of the best people ever, i have made friends that i will have for life! and franco and nellie are the sweetest people in the world, they have hearts of gold and are so lovely to the volunteers! please show them respect! i could not have wished for a better first volunteering experience, nothing will ever compare! i can't wait to come back and see everyone again!

about 1 month ago

Julia

Poland

I can't describe how beautiful this experience was! The dogs are amazing, and most of them are super cuddly. Franco and Nelli are the best hosts you could ever meet — you can really see how much they love what they do and that they care about volunteers. I met wonderful people who made my stay truly unforgettable. And i can't wait to come back next year for olive picking with Franco!❤️

about 2 months ago

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

2 months ago

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About the host

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Hosted by Dalma

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Response Rate: This host usually answers to 100% of the messages
Response Time: This host usually writes back in Less than a day
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