Volunteer Rachel Cramer feeling the love!
THE GDS VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
Our volunteer program is intended for the benefit of our dogs. We have established rules for their emotional and physical safety. If you wish to volunteer with our program, we require an application to be submitted and once approved, a signed agreement that our rules are understood and will be followed. The safety of our dogs is paramount. Maximum of three volunteers per week. Volunteer duties include: cleaning, feeding, walking the dogs, grooming, agility activities, cooking, and vet runs with staff. You will have fun (and you will be tired at the end of each day)! It is impossible to spend time with our wonderful dogs and not have a Hanktabulous time! (minimum age for volunteers is 18)
START DAY IS MONDAY — NO EXCEPTIONS
Monday’s are Change Over Day at the Centre and ALL volunteers must arrive for the Induction Course on a Monday at 11.30am. Depending on your travel and flight arrangements you may need to book a hotel or Airbnb room for Sunday night to ensure you arrive at the Centre at the required time.
There is always plenty of the unexpected at GDS — we start out the day with good intentions to accomplish specific things but the next thing you know, we hear of a galgo sighting and everything changes! But first and foremost — it is always about what is best for the dogs!!! A white board is updated daily with each volunteer's responsibilities.
• 11:30 am — day one induction
• 9 am — duties include: cleaning, feeding, walking the dogs, playing with the dogs, and vet runs with the staff.
• 2–3 pm — lunch on-site
• 3ish pm — back to work!
• 7 pm — return to the residence to plan your evening
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
As the interest in the work of Galgos Del Sol has grown, we find ourselves in the position of having far more applications for volunteer requests than we are able to accommodate. The board has decided that the fairest way to proceed is to accept applications from those who are already active Galgos Del Sol supporters, this may be via our Sponsor Dog Program, Teaming, regular or one-off donations and participation in on-line Auctions. We understand that this will be a disappointment but with an average four applicants for each volunteer spot it is a difficult decision to make.
COSTS
Seven day volunteer stay:
€300 per person, includes on-site vegan lunch prepared M-F, S&S make your own with provided food.
*sometimes pre-prepared, sometimes volunteer responsibility
CAR RENTAL
Volunteers are responsible for transportation to and from the Centre. Car rental is the only option. There is no public transportation or taxi service.
WHY SHOULD YOU PAY TO VOLUNTEER?
Having a volunteer program costs us time and money. Time in terms of the demands on us to oversee and supervise volunteers and the increased utilities costs. We will do our best to ensure that our volunteers experience the full spectrum of GDS life!
LOCATION
GDS is located in San Cayetano, Murcia in southern Spain.
TRANSPORTATION
From North America:
• Madrid-Barajas Airport to Alicante-Elche Airport and rent a car to drive to GDS
• rent a car at Madrid-Barajas Airport and drive from Madrid to GDS
From UK:
• Alicante-Elche Airport and rent a car to drive to GDS
• Corvera Airport and rent a car to drive to GDS
From UK:
• Alicante-Elche Airport and rent a car to drive to GDS
• Corvera Airport and rent a car to drive to GDS
HEALTH COVERAGE
For Americans and non EU applicants, if medical attention is required while at GDS, you will be responsible for any costs incurred should medical attention or hospitalization be necessary. Please check with your insurance company and/or obtain health coverage through a travel insurance policy before arriving to GDS. It is the policy of GDS that volunteers have health coverage during their stay. WE REQUIRE DOCUMENTATION OF THIS COVERAGE PRIOR TO YOUR ARRIVAL. WE WILL NOT ACCEPT VOLUNTEERS TO THE CENTER WITHOUT THE REQUESTED HEALTH DOCUMENTATION.
ACCOMODATIONS
We offer a residence in San Cayetano, Murcia that sleeps three people (one room with twins and one with a double bed) that has a full kitchen, living area, bathroom, sun parlor and garden. The residence is a two-minute walk from an urbanisation bar, swimming pool, paddle tennis and a five-minute walk from an old Spanish village which includes several bars and cafes both English and Spanish, a Spanish panaderia (typical bakery), pharmacy and a small supermarket. It is a five-minute drive from the local beach situated on the famous Mar Menor. Depending on the time of year there are beach bars with a lovely atmosphere to enjoy an evening meal. The residence is just a few minutes drive from the Centre. See photos below. If the residence is not available, our volunteer coordinator Jenny Cranton can offer alternative suggestions. PLEASE NOTE: Due to the high volume of applications, solo volunteers or parties of two will likely share the residence with other volunteers.
Promenade in the village of San Cayetano
Town panaderia (typical Spanish bakery)
Village church
Mar Menor
LONG TERM VOLUNTEERS: We are open for long-term volunteers, new or past, for a minimum of one month. A week’s trial is required for new applicants. If interested, please contact jenny.galgosdelsol@gmail.com.
APPLICATION
Please fill out and submit the following form. We will email with our response and if approved, we will include information about what is useful to bring as well as a contract for signature outlining the rules, deposit due, payments and our expectations for volunteers. The program is seven days but a longer stay will be considered upon application review. PLEASE NOTE: ALL members of a proposed party must complete an application and note names in the below form.
Hanks says “hope to see you!!
GDS RESIDENCE
