Help with dogs and cats at a shelter in the mountains near Siriu, Romania

Details

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  Description

  *** URGENT ***
  PLEASE HELP
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  *** VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ***
  FROM MID-DECEMBER 2024 ONWARDS
  ALL DATES IN 2025 INCLUDING JANUARY, FEBRUARY
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  Volunteers, preferably with dog shelter experience or working with dogs, are required from mid-December onwards and throughout 2025 especially January and February.
  
  Other true and committed dog lovers who are willing to go the extra mile are very welcome to apply too.
  
  WHEN REQUIRED & EXPERIENCE
  
  Volunteers are most WELCOME to stay for as long as they want to. There is a supportive network of previous volunteers via a WhatsApp group who are always on hand to help with any queries.
  
  Volunteers will preferably have some dog shelter experience or other dog experience. However, consideration will be given to other applicants though, who are true and dedicated animal lovers especially dog lovers.
  You must be willing to do hard and dirty tasks as you would expect with cleaning out dogs. You will be immersed into shelter life every day. You must love dogs as there are nearly 120 of them including many puppies. You must enjoy being around dogs and be willing to help socialise them and walk them in some of your free time.
  
  This is not for anyone expecting to do a lot of sightseeing. It is an immersive experience in a dog shelter in a remote village in the rural countryside surrounded by the beautiful mountains. Tasks will also include house chores within the house where you will be living. Monica is unable to clean up after you due to her mobility issues. She has many other responsibilities running an animal shelter. Monica lives separately in a one room annexe adjoining the volunteers' beautiful house.
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  75 year-old, Monica, runs the shelter by herself. She had surgery on her first knee in Autumn 2019. Monica also broke her hip due to a bad fall which required surgery in summer 2022. She has finally had surgery on her second knee on 22nd March 2023 which was delayed by 3 years due to covid. She has recently broken bones in her right hand which is restricting her from running the shelter.
  
  She is not sufficiently mobile to look after her dogs, cats, hens and ducks without the help of a couple of volunteers. Monica still tries to do a lot of the work but she is increasingly at risk of falling.
  
  Monica will always need some amount of volunteer help from now on. The locals continue to dump dogs at her gate and over her fence. It seems that the local mayor is against sterilisation as are the local villagers.
  
  Monica has asked for international volunteers to help her with the care of her animals. Animal shelter experience would be helpful for volunteers.
  
  SHELTER: Shelter is in Muşceluşa in the Siriu Commune near the town of Nehoiu in southern Romania.
  
  AIRPORT: Bucharest.
  
  NUMBER OF ANIMALS: There are currently nearly 120 dogs including many puppies and about 15 cats. All dogs are very calm and certainly not aggressive. There are also about 20 chickens and ducks.
  
  HOST: Monica Gheorghita
  
  LOCATION: In a beautiful quiet hilly landscape in the south of Romania. The house is against one of those hills. The people are very friendly. The shelter is in a small village called Muşceluşa in the Siriu mountains close to Gura Siriului (a lake).
  
  NEAREST CITIES: Braşov (79km), Buzău (81 km), Bucharest (175 km)
  
  SUITABLE FOR WHOM: For every volunteer who has some experience with animal care, preferably in an animal shelter and is a true animal lover especially of dogs. You must be in reasonable condition, have good mobility and be prepared to go the extra mile to help the dogs.
  
  DAILY ROUTINE
  Work is typically from 8/8.30am to 11 am and 4pm to 5.30pm, Volunteer tasks begin at around 08:00 am.
  A typical day maybe something like:
  First feed the chickens and the ducks
  Second clean and feed the puppies;
  Then clean the adult dog runs and provide fresh water and food to the adult dogs.
  Everything around the outside of the house is also cleaned and all water bowls are washed and provided with clean water.
  The tasks in the afternoon are the same as in the morning, except that the adults don't eat, but they go out to play in the afternoon so that they are quiet at night.
  The chicken and duck coops are cleaned once a week;
  If there are young kittens, they should be fed 3 x milk during the day.
  
  When new animals are unexpectedly dumped, when the vet comes for vaccinations or sterilisations, a transport arrives to take dogs to be adopted abroad or something unforeseen happens, sometimes help is needed out of hours.
  
  Other tasks are also occasionally possible, such as picking fruit or stacking wood.
  
  You also need to make sure Monica's house is kept clean and tidy in all of the volunteer living areas. You will need to mop the tiled floors each day. Monica lives in a separate one room annexe where she sleeps, eats and cooks. She is joined by many of the smaller dogs and cats.
  
  In the afternoons, if you want to in your free time, you can walk a few of the dogs on a leash and play with the puppies and younger dogs. Also, please do spend time socialising the adult dogs and puppies to help them get adopted. Volunteers have fun taking good photos and videos for Instagram, This is another good way to enjoy your time in the afternoons. It is very important for the dogs to be promoted on Instagram to improve their chances of adoption.
  
  Another important task is monitoring the animals. Are they healthy and do they feel happy? If you think something is up, immediately turn to Monica. When there are so many animals together and when new dogs are dumped every time, the risk of diseases is of course present.
  In addition, all dogs and cats need hugs of course!
  
  Please take good photos and videos of the dogs so they can be shared on social media for adoption. The Happy Together association find adoptions for many of Monica's animals. The Happy Together association links to Monica's Instagram and more adoptions are possible. It is so very important to take good photos and videos to ensure there are many adoptions Without good photos on Instagram, dogs will not get adopted. All of the dogs on Monica's Instagram get adopted pretty quickly.
  
  DON'T FORGET TO PACK SOME OLD CLOTHES AS THIS CAN BE DIRTY TASKS. ALSO BRING SLIPPERS TO WEAR INSIDE THE HOUSE. A SLEEPING BAG IS USEFUL. THERE ARE SOME WELLINGTON BOOTS AT MONICA'S. IF YOUR SIZE IS NOT AVAILABLE AT MONICA'S, CONSIDER BRINGING A PAIR WITH YOU.
  
  LANGUAGE:
  Well, that will have to be done with the hands and with Google Translate because Monica only speaks Romanian. She has a splattering of English and French. Monica communicates well with Google Translate. You may wish to sit with Monica in her one bedroomed house one evening and get to know her using Google Translate. Please do invite Monica to join you for a beer in the main volunteer house on some evenings. She is good fun and it will help you to relax together and get to know each other. Please do not be embarrassed to try to learn a few words or phrases in Romanian.
  
  The cities of Buzău and Braşov are also worth a visit but this is best done at the start or end of your stay.
  They both have beautiful city centres. Braşov is the gateway to Transylvania.
  
  HOW TO GET TO MONICA'S
  STEP 1: Fly to Bucharest (Otopeni) Airport
  There are various direct or indirect flight connections to the capital Bucharest from the Netherlands, Belgium and UK. Suggestions are the cheap airline Wizzair which flies 4 times a week to and from Eindhoven to Bucharest Otopeni Airport.
  Wizzair also flies to Bucharest from Birmingham and Liverpool in the UK. Blue AIr flies from Liverpool in the UK too.
  
  STEP 2: By taxi from Bucharest airport to Monica's (fastest but most expensive)
  This takes about 3 hours and costs around 500 lei (€100/£90/$115/AU$180) which can often be shared with volunteers who are either arriving or departing on the same day. Monica will book it for you so it is cheaper than using a taxi at Bucharest airport.
  
  OR
  STEP2: By public transport from Bucharest Henri Coanda airport to Monica's which takes about 5 hours 30 mins.
  
  There are trains and buses from Bucharest Henri Coanda Airport T1 to Nehoiu, after which you can take another bus or it is a short taxi ride to Muşceluşa . There is also a bus from Braşov to Muşceluşa. Monica is happy to provide you with more information about the possibilities.
  
  STEP 2a: FROM BUCHAREST HENRI COANDA AIRPORT T1 TO BUZĂU VIA BUCHAREST NORD (ROMANIAN RAILWAYS)
  There is a train connection from Bucharest Henri Coanda airport T1 to Bucharest Nord. Here there is a train connection which will take you to Buzău with a beautiful journey through the hilly landscape in 2 1/2 hours. Costs are approx. 50 Lei = €10.
  
  There is also a bus service which goes from Bucharest airport to Buzău and takes about two hours (€12).
  
  STEP 2b: FROM BUZĂU TO NEHOIU (TRANSFEROVIAR CĂLĂTORI)
  There are several trains daily from Buzău to Nehoiu.
  
  STEP 2c: FROM NEHOIU TO MONICA'S (ABOUT 10 KM BY TAXI)
  From Nehoiu, it is 10 km to Monica's so you can take a taxi which you can pick up in Nehoiu for about €5 or pre-book a taxi with an English speaking taxi driver.
  
  OR
  STEP 2b and 2c: From BUZĂU TO MONICA'S
  Otherwise, you can take a taxi from Buzău, which will drive you to Monica's in 1 1/2 hours. The taxi costs about €50.
  
  Or you can stay for a night in the beautiful town of Buzău, which you see below as photos. The train connection between Buzău and Nehoiu is several times daily and subject to change.
  
  Once you have confirmed you wish to volunteer, you will be invited to join the WhatsApp group containing past, current and future volunteers who have a wealth of knowledge between them and will be more than happy to answer any queries you may have.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Monica speaks Romanian with only a very few words of English and French. You will have the opportunity to learn some of the Romanian language (based on Latin and French).
  
  You will understand how people live in a rural village in the countryside within a remote and beautiful mountainous area. They grow much of their own produce and often use more primitive tools.
  
  You will understand more about the huge problem of stray dogs in Romania and how the problem is not being addressed in the part of Romania where Monica lives. You will meet the local veterinarian who often visits Monica's and see his methods. He is more used to treating farm animals as people do not value dogs. You will also perhaps meet the veterinarian that visits Monica's every few weeks to sterilise her animals at her home.
  
  I have stayed at Monica's and helped her with her dogs, cats, hens and ducks during October 2017, October 2018 and July 2019. The previous coordinator of this page stayed with her during October 2022. It really is a wonderful experience with Monica in her shelter in the mountains. You have nothing to worry about. Any questions, please message us.

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  Help

  Volunteers are welcome from any country. Monica has had volunteers from both Romania and abroad including UK, France, Belgium, Canada, Brazil, Colombia, Italy, Mexico, United States, Australia, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands. Of course other countries are welcome too.
  
  VOLUNTEERS TO HELP AS KENNEL HELPERS/GENERAL ANIMAL ASSISTANTS FOR AT LEAST 2 OR 3 WEEKS, 1 MONTH, 2 MONTHS OR WHATEVER SUITS YOU.
  
  VET TRAINEES, VET NURSES INCLUDING TRAINEES, ANIMAL WELFARE WORKERS ARE PARTICULARLY WELCOME BUT ALL YOU HAVE TO BE IS A GENUINE ANIMAL LOVER, HARD WORKER AND TRUSTWORTHY.
  
  My dear friend, Monica has fractured her hip and had hip surgery (Thu 18th August 2022). She has just had knee surgery on her second knee on 22nd March 2023 now that her hip is sufficiently recovered. She needs hard working animal lovers to look after her animals immediately from about the end of April 2023 on an on going basis. Volunteers are welcome to come for as ever long as they wish whether it be for three weeks, one or two months. A stay of at least 3 weeks will give the dogs a chance to get to know you and you them.
  
  During any time off, you will be able to explore the nearby countryside and do local walks in this beautiful area of Romania. The main village, SIRIU, is a short walk away where there are a couple of small supermarkets. However, it is better to shop at the two larger discount supermarkets in the nearby small town of NEHOIU, 10 km away, which are cheaper and a wider variety of groceries etc. Most volunteers love to spend their free time helping to socialise the dogs to help them become adoptable. There have been some wonderful results enabling more timid dogs to get used to humans and be adopted.

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  Languages spoken

  Romanian: Fluent
  English: Beginner
  French: Beginner

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  Accommodation

  The volunteers can stay in the main house for free, while Monica herself lives in a separate single room annexe next door where she does not have to climb stairs.
  
  IN THE MAIN HOUSE (PROFILE PHOTO)
  DOWNSTAIRS: There are 2 double bedrooms with TV. There is a modern kitchen with a small living room area with a TV and a bathroom with a bath, over the bath shower and a toilet. The kitchen is fairly modern with a stove, microwave oven, fridge/freezer and a washing machine.
  
  UPSTAIRS (APARTMENT): There are 2 more single rooms with a living room and a shower room with a shower cubicle and toilet.
  
  SMOKING
  You are asked not to smoke inside, but to do so outside.
  
  *** No animals should be housed in the large house itself except for emergencies ***
  
  WIFI: There is an excellent WiFi connection throughout the house. The animal shelter is suitable for SOME digital nomads to work from as long as their working hours are somewhat flexible and they can react immediately to unforeseen/unscheduled events. Availability of volunteers is most needed in the mornings with some work required later in the day but the unexpected can happen in an animal shelter.
  
  All volunteers can stay with Monica completely free of charge.
  
  FOOD & MEALS:
  Sadly, Monica can no longer cook meals for her volunteers due to her mobility issues. Regretfully, she does not have the funds to provide food for the volunteers.
  
  Food shopping will have to be paid for and carried out by the volunteers. There is a very small shop about 150 metres from her house. There are two small supermarkets in the small town of Siriu which is about 1 km from Monica's. This is a pleasant walk. There is also a market on Saturdays.
  
  If volunteers require a greater choice of groceries or the bank, it will mean a journey to the larger town of Nehoiu which is 10 km from Monica's and takes less than 15 minutes by taxi (€5) or bus. There are two larger discount supermarkets there. Groceries will need to be paid for by volunteers as Monica's only income is her small monthly pension. Romania is a very cheap country though.

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  What else ...

  During any time off, you will be able to explore the nearby countryside and do local walks in this beautiful area of Romania. Alternatively, you may choose to help to socialise the dogs at Monica's by desensitising them, walking some of them on a leash or teaching the younger dogs to fetch. This will be a great help to the animal shelter in that it will allow the dogs to become more adoptable.
  
  There is a beautiful lake (Lake Siriu) about 4 miles away and a beautiful waterfall about 3 miles away.
  
  There is some public (bus) transport from the village where Monica lives which will go to the city of Braşov which is the gateway to Transylvania. There are trains to the city of Buzău from Nehoiu. Any exploring or sightseeing to these cities and beyond is better done at the start or end of your volunteering period at Monica's.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  Digital nomads can work from Monica's but careful consideration needs to be given if your work is suitable. Buying and selling would work for a small number of hours each day. You can work in the living area of the main house which is used solely by visitors. It is also possible to work from the apartment upstairs. Digital nomads need to be available in the mornings and late afternoons for the cleaning and feeding of the dogs. Also they need to be available to react to unforeseen circumstances at any time of day. Digital nomads' working hours' MUST be somewhat flexible. Working full-time days with rigid hours will NOT work. Your work needs to fit around the schedule of the care of the dogs as well as reacting immediately to any unscheduled or unforeseen eventuality which occurs regularly in an animal shelter. This includes helping Monica with any animals who need to see the veterinarian. The veterinarian can visit Monica's shelter on most days at any time. You must be able to stop your work and be able to help Monica with the animals who need to be seen by the vet. Occasionally, there is a mass sterilisation day. Ideally, you would need to be available all day on such days. These days are very infrequent but vitally important.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  There is space to park a campervan or motorhome within Monica's property.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  Dogs can be accepted as long as they are dog, cat and human friendly.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 4 hours per day, 5 days per week

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