CatsVille

At CatsVille, you'll experience a unique opportunity to live off-grid and connect deeply with nature. Whether you're curious about sustainable living, passionate about animals, or simply looking to step away from the noise of city life, this is a great place to start.

You'll have the freedom to explore and experiment with natural building methods, organic gardening, and alternative ways of living — all without needing to make a long-term commitment.

Animal lovers will enjoy caring for our many rescued cats and poultry, forming real bonds while learning about animal care in a free and natural environment.

You'll also have the chance to explore the surrounding area and get a more authentic look at life in rural Portugal.

I’m Ana, the founder of CatsVille. I live here with my family, and together we care for this land, its many cats, our poultry, and we work every day toward a more self-sufficient, sustainable life. We live fully off-grid and support ourselves through a small Etsy business. Our priority right now is improving our infrastructure, which requires dedication, consistency, and a genuine willingness to help. Volunteers who enjoy physical work, learning new skills, and taking responsibility will fit in very well here. At CatsVille, volunteers can expect an environment that values hard work, honesty, and responsibility. We live in very rustic, off-grid conditions and are currently in “survival mode” as we work to improve our infrastructure. Because of this, the well-being of our animals—and our own—depends on everyone putting in real effort during work hours. This is not a place for people seeking an easy stay, a holiday, or a situation to manipulate for personal gain. We welcome volunteers who arrive with good intentions, a positive mindset, and a genuine desire to help. Those volunteers will be treated with respect, kindness, and fairness. To protect the safety and comfort of everyone here, we maintain clear boundaries: Smoking, drinking alcohol, using drugs or any mind-altering substances are not allowed. Stealing, dishonesty, or behaviour that makes my family or other volunteers uncomfortable will result in being asked to leave immediately. Security cameras are in place around the property for the safety of volunteers, our animals, and our household. CatsVille thrives when everyone works together with integrity and commitment. If you share these values, you’ll fit right in and have a meaningful, rewarding experience here. Please note: At this time, we are not able to provide invitation letters for visa applications.