My Afternoon Volunteering at a Dog Shelter

A few weeks ago, I volunteered with a group of friends at the Municipal Dog Shelter "Ecoravnovesie", located just outside Sofia in Dolni Bogrov. The event was organized by a friend who had volunteered there before, which made it easier for me to join. It was an eye-opening and heartwarming experience that I’d love to share with you.

Partial Group Photo

A New Experience for Me

Coming from Germany, where animal shelters operate quite differently, everything at Ecoravnovesie was very new to me. In Bulgaria, the issue of stray dogs is more widespread and shelters often care for thousands of animals at once. This shelter alone houses about 1,500 dogs, most of which were rescued from the streets.

Arrival and Formalities

After arriving by bus with the group, we had to sign a declaration stating that the shelter was not responsible for any injuries that might occur during volunteering. This necessary step ensured that everyone understood the risks involved.

What I Brought and the Shelter's Scale

We were told to bring dog food and sausages as treats for the dogs. These small gifts were greatly appreciated by both the shelter and the animals. Because of the large number of dogs, the shelter rotates which dogs get to leave their kennels weekly for walks and exercise.

A Record-Breaking Volunteering Day

Volunteering events happen only on Sundays, and on this day, we broke the record for the most dogs walked in a single day: 215 dogs compared to the previous 206, and for the most signed declarations: 70 compared to the previous 60. It was inspiring to be part of such a committed group and to see the difference our presence made that day.

My Experience with the Dogs

Being more of a cat person, I initially found handling dogs challenging. My first dog was quite wild, so I had to return him after a short walk. Luckily, I then got to walk two very calm and sweet dogs. Each dog was walked for 30 minutes in a grassy area inside the shelter grounds. Despite the hot weather, the dogs enjoyed the fresh air and attention they received.

Reflections on Stray Dogs in Bulgaria 🐕

Stray dogs are a significant issue in Bulgaria, often due to lack of resources and different cultural attitudes toward animal welfare compared to Germany. Shelters like Ecoravnovesie play a crucial role in rescuing, caring for, and rehabilitating these animals, but they rely heavily on volunteers and donations.

Final Thoughts

This experience showed me how much dedication is required to care for so many animals and how important volunteers are in giving these dogs love and freedom. Even if you’re inexperienced with dogs like me, volunteering at such shelters is a rewarding way to make a difference.