Volunteer at Hopeland and get the chance to make a difference in the lives of countless dogs.
“You will meet all different kinds of characters of dogs who you will be sure to fall in love with. As well as the amazing dogs, you will meet amazing people that will become family for a few weeks.”
- Louise, volunteer at Hopeland
Volunteering at Hopeland
Volunteering at Hopeland can be an incredibly rewarding experience, especially if you love dogs. Since working at an animal shelter is physically demanding, it’s important that you enjoy being around animals and are ready to give them the care and attention they need.
As a volunteer, you’ll live in shared housing with fellow volunteers. Since we do not believe in small cages, many dogs live inside the house, allowing you to build strong connections with them. However, this also means that volunteering here involves a lot of cleaning—so be prepared to get your hands dirty!
Beyond spending time with the dogs, you’ll also meet people from around the world and have the chance to learn about Greek culture through our founder, Natasa, and her husband. They are both incredibly welcoming and will make you feel at home.
Volunteering at an animal shelter is both physically and emotionally demanding, but the love you receive in return makes every effort worthwhile.
Daily Routine
Our structured daily schedule ensures that every dog is well cared for. As a volunteer, you’ll help with feeding, cleaning, and general care.
Morning Routine
7:45 AM – Open designated areas upstairs (except specific cases) and do a quick clean
8:20 AM – Close certain sections and open designated downstairs areas
8:50 AM – Close specific downstairs areas and prepare for feeding
9:00 AM – Feeding Time – After feeding, open specific sections
10:30 AM – Big Clean – Deep cleaning of kennels and common areas
12:00 PM – Close and open designated cages for rotation
Afternoon & Evening Tasks
12:30 PM – Close specific areas downstairs, reopen other designated sections
1:30 PM – Rotate dogs for exercise and enrichment (Hope’s Hour)
3:00 PM – Further rotations and preparing for evening feeding
4:30 PM – Close certain sections, open others, and prepare for feeding
5:00 PM – Feeding Time – Followed by late cleaning and rotations
7:00 PM – Final checks and securing designated areas
8:25 PM – Evening cleaning, heater check, and ensuring all areas are safe
10:00 PM – Close final sections for the night
10:30 PM – Final walkthrough and securing all areas
This schedule ensures that all dogs receive the care, structure, and stability they need.
For more information about volunteering, please fill out the form below or email us at hopelandsanctuary@gmail.com.
Apply as a volunteer.
Write us an e-mail and tell us a bit about yourself, and why you would like to volunteer at Hopeland. We appreciate hearing from people who have ideas and skills that they want to contribute with. And don’t be afraid to ask us any questions about life at Hopeland!