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Volunteering at the Shelter: Anastasia from Germany

What is it like to come from Germany to be a volunteer at a Bulgarian dog shelter?  Anastasia Drogge from Potsdam, Germany will share with us her four weeks experience at Lucky Hunt Project.

"Volunteering at Lucky Hunt has definitely changed me. I became more self-confident and learnt a lot about proper care-taking of animals."
Anastasia - volunteer Lucky Hunt
 Anastasia Drogge
Volunteer from Germany

What inspired you to volunteer at an animal shelter and why did you choose Bulgaria?

I spontaneously had four weeks off and wanted to travel somewhere. However, I didn't want to just lie on a random beach and do nothing. As I've never done any volunteer work myself, I wanted to do it this summer. That`s why I started to look for some volunteering projects. I found out about Lucky Hunt Project thanks to a German animal rights activist.

I always loved animals as kid. But my parents never allowed a pet at home. For this reason, I wanted to do the project so that I could learn more about myself and how I deal with dogs and other animals.

What was your first impression upon arrival at the shelter?

The very first day I was quite happy. Lucky Hunt City is a great place where the dogs are well looked after. I was previously in a small shelter near Bucharest and it was pretty run down compared to Lucky Hunt Project.

However, the first week is quite exhausting. You have to cope with the sun, heat, dogs, noises and smells.

Tell us about a typical day at Lucky Hunt.

A typical day starts with each dog being greeted. Then the daily schedule is discussed in the lounge. Afterwards the enclosures are cleaned and the feeding and drinking bowls are refilled. Usually there is then a short break with the dogs. After the break, the sick and old animals are treated and given medication. On some days, operations such as castrations are also carried out.

What challenges did you face while working at the shelter, and how did you overcome them?

My most rewarding task was communicating with the employees. Most of them don't speak English and I don't speak any Bulgarian or Russian. That's why it was all the nicer that I was able to talk to the employees thanks to my cell phone translator and that they all welcomed me warmly.

The biggest challenge while working at the shelter was the heat. It was best to do most of the outside work before 11 o'clock so that you didn't die in the sun. In addition, a cap and sunscreen were always very useful.

Can you share a memorable moment or a particular dog that left a lasting impact on you?

My best moment during my volunteer project was the adoption of my favorite dog. Pirat was one of my favorite dogs and was very popular at the clinic. However, he was already old, so I never thought he would be adopted. But he found a lovely German family who have a house and garden near Varna. I was even allowed to take him to the new house, as the German couple speaks little English and none of the Lucky Hunt team speaks German. It was very nice to introduce him to the couple and their other four dogs. Pirat felt home right away and went straight to bed after 10 minutes. 

What differences have you noticed between Germany and Bulgaria in terms of animal welfare?

Yes, there are differences in animal welfare between Bulgaria and Germany. The hygienic conditions are much better in Germany. Dogs in general have a lower status in Bulgaria than in Germany. In most cases, the dog must have a use for the family, otherwise it is simply abandoned. In my time, a beagle with an abscess was simply abandoned in front of the animal shelter. The paradox here was that in the same week, German tourists wanted to rescue a street dog and handed it in to Lucky Hunt so that it could be prepared for entry into Germany. That's how unfair the world can be.

How has your experience at Lucky Hunt changed or influenced you personally?

I have definitely changed in the four weeks. First of all, I became much moreself-confident. I also learned a lot about the right way to treat animals and was able to get a taste of everyday life in the clinic. I was also able to improve my driving skills thanks to the cars I was given. 🙂

I will definitely miss the cuddle breaks with the dogs. You do build up an emotional bond with some patients. In my case, it was a puppy with epilepsy. As well as the dogs, I will also miss the community at Lucky Hunt Project. Despite language barriers, the staff always made me feel welcome.