Volunteer Experience Report: Finca Noah, July 2021 (Livia)

This summer, I spent my vacation for the first time as a volunteer helper at the animal welfare organization Animal Police on Mallorca. Looking back, I can say with great enthusiasm that it was worth every effort and every blister on my fingers and feet to have been there, because Finca Noah is truly a paradise and I wouldn't want to miss any of the wonderful experiences. Originally, I had planned to stay for one week. In reality, the work, the idyllic location, and the warm-hearted people captivated me so much that I extended my stay by another week.

Right after my arrival, I noticed how orderly everything was, because Farah places great value on this and is only satisfied when everything is in its intended place. The surroundings are invitingly arranged and you feel comfortable from the very first moment. My accommodation – a small cottage called "Casa Jeannine" – was absolutely charming. It was located right in the middle of the grounds between the dog and cat enclosures and had everything you need. Only a few steps away was the toilet, which was about 20 meters away. The kitchen was excellently equipped and allowed me to cook daily. You have to be aware that many animals live here, so it shouldn't bother you if a dog barks early in the morning or late in the evening. Also, it gets rather warm in the cottage, which personally didn't affect me.

The daily work with the animals was demanding and should not be underestimated. Since I normally work in an office, I could hardly assess what would actually await me. After thorough training by Farah, I was gradually able to work more independently and quickly realized how much joy everything brought me. My mornings started with cleaning the cat enclosures. I had to clean the countless litter boxes, feed the cats, and get the enclosures in order. The same work had to be done with the dogs, rabbits, ducks, horses, and so on. Additionally, some of the dogs were walked twice daily, and the entire sheep pasture (3,200 m²!) was meticulously swept clean of every single "sheep dropping" with a broom. To clarify that a bit more: cleaning just the sheep pasture typically takes several hours per day. We saw it as a kind of "meditation" 😉. Overall, I was occupied for about 8 hours per day. The morning routine (starting no later than 8 a.m.) is much more extensive than the evening round, which runs from around 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Occasionally, the heat got to me a bit, which made me all the more enjoy the few hours I had left to rest at the nearby cove.

The entire team on-site was very helpful and open-minded, so I immediately took them all to heart. Farah is aware of the enormous responsibility she has for the animals and always ensures that all rules and measures are followed. If that's not the case, she can also raise her voice. Her motto is "arrange everything for the animals as you would want to live here yourself." That was a very fitting anecdote for me. So far, I haven't seen a place that was as well-maintained as this one. Conversely, that also means that volunteers are expected to pitch in and think ahead. I personally can recommend to everyone to experience Finca Noah on their own!