Volunteer with Dogs Valencia: Join Our Rehabilitation Project

Be Part of Our Dog Rehabilitation Project (Spain)

Spain

Our dream is to create a space where people, animals, and nature can heal together. We welcome those interested in volunteer with dogs Valencia to join us in this mission. We are building a canine rehabilitation centre and an association dedicated to animal, human, and environmental welfare, focusing on multi-species interaction and recovery. Although we’re still in the early stages, we are already hosting individuals who need a place of healing, living alongside us and our volunteers.

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Volunteer with Dogs Valencia: Tasks & Roles

As part of this meaningful initiative, volunteers will contribute to various tasks that support both the animals and the overall mission of the project. Work typically involves manual tasks such as gardening, fencing, construction, dog care, and general maintenance. Additionally, you may assist with our expanding initiatives in permaculture, where we are working towards self-sufficiency, as well as helping with the development of a mini sanctuary for rescued animals. Volunteers may also take part in workshops and DIY projects, contributing their skills to create a space for learning and creativity. Furthermore, we aim to document and share our journey through video editing and media, providing opportunities to help capture and share the project’s progress.

Volunteer with Dogs Valencia: Living & Getting There

Volunteers stay in a dedicated house located right next to the rehabilitation centre. This house offers beautiful views of nature, a large plot of land, a fireplace, and a swimming pool. It is also home to a pack of dogs, three pigs, a cat, and a goose, all of which contribute to the lively and harmonious atmosphere. The house can accommodate up to eight short-term volunteers in shared double rooms, while long-term volunteers have access to private rooms in other houses or mobile homes, with shared common areas. Volunteers living in these spaces take full responsibility for the dogs in their care, treating them as if they were their own.

In the mornings, volunteers participate in a work schedule of four hours, starting at 9 am in winter and moving to 7:30 am in summer. This is preceded by a half-hour meeting during breakfast, where the tasks for the day are discussed. During the afternoons, tasks such as walking the dogs, feeding the farm animals, and maintaining the laundry space are rotated between volunteers. Volunteers can also contribute to permaculture tasks, such as collecting food, watering plants, and pruning. Long-term volunteers who stay for at least a month often experience a deeper connection to the animals and the project itself.

The house is powered by solar panels, and it’s important for all volunteers to be mindful of electricity consumption. Please be aware that we are in the process of upgrading and developing various aspects of the project. Some areas are well-established, while others are still under construction, so some interruptions to utilities, such as electricity, water, or gas, may occasionally occur. Living off the grid in a rural environment requires adaptability, as it brings challenges that urban living doesn’t. Volunteers must be resilient and open to living without the comforts of a city-based lifestyle.

Volunteer with Dogs Valencia: What Else

The project aims to provide a wellness centre where individuals, particularly young people, can reorient their lives in a healthy, supportive environment. As part of this, we expect all volunteers to be responsible and maintain a drug-free, alcohol-free environment to ensure that everyone stays in a clear, healthy state of mind. While smoking is permitted, we are working on creating a designated smoking area within the project.

Socially, we aim to foster a close-knit, supportive community, and many of our volunteers enjoy spending time together through activities such as hiking, board games, and beach trips. For those with a passion for mindfulness and exercise, we have early morning routines that include breathing exercises, yoga, running, and cold swims in the pool. We ask that volunteers understand the importance of developing meaningful, respectful relationships within the community. Although socialising may happen quickly for some, forming deeper connections takes time, and we encourage volunteers to approach relationships with awareness and care. The community is familial, and romantic or flirtatious behaviours are expected to be respectful of personal boundaries and the shared living environment.

The project is easily accessible from Valencia Airport (VLC), with a bus service that connects to the nearby Vall-duixo. From there, we will arrange a pick-up to bring you to the site. As we continue to grow, we are seeking volunteers who are committed to long-term stays, ideally a month or more, to ensure a more enriching experience for both the project and the animals involved.

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