Volunteering with animals: “I often have a moment of happiness”

Volunteers are worth their weight in gold, for fellow human beings, the neighborhood, the city, and more. In the North district, there are many people who lend a helping hand. Every month we highlight someone and they share about the added value of their volunteer work. This time it’s Franciska Zech, who volunteers for the Children’s Farm Foundation at Diereneiland in Molenwijk. “In this green animal oasis, I often have a moment of happiness.
The Animal Island is a green oasis amidst tall buildings and houses various types of rabbits, chickens, turkeys, ducks, and goats, including pygmy goats. There is also a playground on the premises managed by playground supervisors from the SPIN Foundation. “I live nearby with my husband in an apartment with our children aged 12 and 13. When they were very young, I took them there for the first time to introduce them to the animals. I myself am the daughter of a Veluwe veterinarian, and the interaction with animals has been ingrained in me from an early age. The Animal Island needed new volunteers due to a restart. That was 9 years ago! Nowadays, I have multiple responsibilities there alongside my job as a mother, part-time masseuse, and Pilates instructor.”

How do you make an impact?

“Every Tuesday and one Sunday per month, I feed all the animals and also help out as a board member. In total, I have completed 25 days of animal care courses so that we can take care of our animals as best as possible. Additionally, I create schedules and protocols for the 25 volunteers who work here and maintain contact with the veterinarian, farrier, etc. Sometimes, I also help out on Saturdays with cleaning the enclosures or other tasks. Our goal is for all visitors to learn to interact with the animals in a relaxed, safe, and animal-friendly manner. Isn’t that beautiful? If an animal is sick, I also check on it daily to make sure everything is going well. My husband sometimes complains that I almost live there… Haha. I really enjoy doing it.”

What is the most fun about this?

“The best part is the contact with the animals. Of course, there is also a social aspect: having a chat with the other volunteers, playground managers, or visitors. Sometimes there’s even a party. And with some volunteers, you even develop a beautiful friendship. Well, you never get bored here. There is always something to see, do, or talk about.”

What does this volunteer work bring you?

“You are outside and it is wonderfully quiet here! Sometimes I feel like I am on my own farm, while we are in the middle of a big city. It is very green, full of chirping birds, next to a beautiful pond. When I give a piece of carrot to a goat, when I see a chicken enjoying being gently petted, when I see a bunny come running when we call them…; those are truly moments of happiness. It feels like an exchange of positive energy. That really helps me to become calm and relax and enjoy.”Photos: Kitty de Jong
Text: Thecla Groot Koerkamp

Volunteer tasks

Interested in volunteering at the petting zoo Animal Island?Get in touch with them.
Curious about other volunteer opportunities? Our online job board features around 1000 fun and meaningful tasks in the city. Suitable for everyone’s talents and schedule.Search online or make an appointment with one of our mediatorsSorry, but I can’t provide a translation without the text to translate. If you provide the text, I’ll be happy to help translate it for you.