Maria and Julia returned home

Our volunteers from Spain, Maria Guardiola Ivorra and Julia Sáez Morcillo, have completed their one-month European Solidarity Corps volunteering experience with us and returned home. ❤️

During their time in Sinop, Maria and Julia supported the daily care and treatment of rescued and stray animals in our patient room, volunteers’ garden, village foster house and Gerze Shelter. From caring for orphaned babies and animals with different medical needs to administering treatments, maintaining hygiene and assisting with veterinary procedures, they took an active role in many aspects of animal care.

For Maria, the experience brought new confidence, practical skills and the opportunity to take responsibility and make decisions while working with animals in different conditions. For Julia, it was also an opportunity to strengthen her veterinary skills, contribute her own knowledge and ideas about animal welfare, and deepen her sense of solidarity through helping street animals.

But ESC is never only about the work. ✨

Living and volunteering alongside people from different countries, sharing responsibilities, supporting one another and discovering life in Sinop became an important part of their journey. Both Maria and Julia highlighted the people they met, the friendships they built and the spirit of cooperation as some of the most meaningful parts of their experience.

Thank you, Maria and Julia, for your time, energy, care and contribution to our animals. We are very happy that Sinop became a small part of your journey, and we hope you take many good memories — and a few paw prints — home with you. ❤️