Be a hero for shelter pups — dog sit, support & make a difference 🐾

Top Host: This host receives lots of worldpackers and has a high average rating, being recognized by the community as a Top Host.
Connect with international travelers: 37 travelers recommend this host to meet travelers from all around the world
Make a real social impact: 31 travelers really felt their social impact working with this host
Needs help immediately
Accepts couples and pairs of volunteers

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What you offer

28h

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

Pet Sitting: Taking care of and looking after pets.

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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.

Private Room: You will have a bed in a private room. In other words, a room just for you.

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

Fast Internet Access: High-speed internet for you to work remotely

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

Discounts on Restaurants: Get discounts at nearby restaurants.

Discounts on Pubs: Get discounts at nearby pubs.

Free Events: Get free entrance for the best events in town.

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

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Stay at least: 4 weeks

The Experience

We are looking for experienced people to dog sit. There will be the option for you to help with other dogs at the shelter, and learn what is involved with the street dog project too, but this role sees you spending a good amount of time with the foster dogs, walking, training etc

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Requirements

Intermediate English
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?

46 Reviews

5.0

Host & Team

4.5

Hours & Tasks

5.0

Non Profit Project

5.0

Learning & Fun

5.0

How this experience will transform you

37 Meeting international travelers
31 Creating true social impact
30 Get in touch with nature
19 Developing social awareness
17 Practicing English
14 Meeting locals

Matilda

Germany

I loved my experience at the Dogshelter! Working with the dog was lots of fun. They are all so sweet! The task were manageable but it took me a while to get the hang of everything I still really enjoyed it! Sarah is really clear about what she wants which is great but can be a bit „scary“ in the beginning. But it just showed how much she cares for the project. I would recommend everyone to volunteer at BSD. Thank you so much for the experience ❤️

6 months ago

Sarah replied

Thanks so much Matilda, am so pleased you value your experience with the dogs (they're amazing, who wouldn't?! 😉).
It may have taken you a while but you never gave up, which is super important thanks again for all the time and love you gave to the dogs !

Sophie

United Kingdom

I had a nice time at the dog shelter, looking after the yard the project and fostering an energetic dog in the volunteer apartment, whilst I was nervous at first due to the large size of the project, they truly are sweet gentle giants and just want love and fuss. The shelter is doing something great for the project: giving them enrichment and walks; I enjoyed grooming the project especially. the tasks were not difficult but there is a routine to get to know. I did feel at times more efforts could be made the volunteers feel more welcome. But overall, Sarah is a lovely host and I will cherish this experience!

4 months ago

Matheus

Brazil

I have an outstanding experience. It is so nice to see how each one of the dogs inside and out of the shelter is so well treated and in such a special way. I am glad for how much I could learn about dogs behaviour and training, which I am thankful for. The tasks are not too demanding, but there are a lot of details about the way they should be done - which there is always a reason behind that. I appreciate our weekly check-ins, as they helped our experience and progress proceed smoothly. I will miss Tammy and the other dogs so much! Thank you Sarah and team for the opportunity!!

8 months ago

Sarah replied

Thanks so much Matheus, for your words and more for your time with us! It's always great when we have people with us eager to learn as you were, if you're heading back to Bansko sometime give us a shout ... Theresore we can show you for sure! ❤️

tim

United States

I just spent a month in Bansko with three wonderful the project. Even though they were all different we had lots of fun together and it was wonderful experience. Sarah and her staff are doing incredible work with all these abandoned the project and helping them until they can find a loving home to keep them forever. I highly recommend this experience if you love the project and also I learned a great deal about them. Sarah has built a fantastic refuge not only for the project under her care but for ones that are still roaming the streets as she has set up feeding and watering places for them.

10 months ago

Sarah replied

Glad to have met you Tim, and thanks again for the time and the care you showed to the dogs. Safe travels on, you know where we are if you come back this way!

Layla

Finland

Volunteering at the project was a truly amazing experience that I would recommend if you're an animal lover, wanna make a real impact in the world and are up for learning some new things!! Bansko is a beautiful town with lots of events/things to do and stunning nature, you form personal relationships with ever dog which is so rewarding and its inspiring to see how much Sarah and the other volunteers care about the project and really try to care for ever single dog in Bansko. There's definitely lots to do and at times it can seem a bit overwhelming but hard work pays off!!

about 1 year ago

Sarah replied

Thanks again for all your help Layla, it was great that you were so interested in the dogs we're helping around town as well as the ones you met in he shelter.
You did make change and should be proud of what you've achieved - I'm sure you'll go on to do so much more goodness out there in the world too.

I do appreciate the feedback - always be honest with your hosts, this is a two way street and how we all grow! ❤️

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About the host

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Hosted by Sarah

Top Host: This host receives a lot of worldpackers and has a high average rating.
Response Rate: This host usually answers to 80% of the messages
Response Time: This host usually writes back in 2 days

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