Sanctuary Hof Allegro / Herdenschutzzentrum

Happy International Volunteer Day! 💚
We are deeply grateful for our wonderful volunteers, without them, our work simply wouldn’t be possible. Their time, care, and dedication make a real difference every day, improving the lives of all the animals at the Sanctuary, keeping the stables clean and well cared for, and filling this place with respect and kindness.

To the most generous, committed, hard-working, and compassionate people we are lucky to know: thank you from the bottom of our hearts for supporting our mission to spread empathy and care for farmed animals everywhere.
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💚 We are looking for trustworthy, motivated, strong, and reliable volunteers for a long-term stay from spring to summer. Our priority is volunteers who can stay around 2–3 months, as this allows enough time to learn the routine, get to know the animals, and work independently. Volunteers for the summer months are also welcome.

This opportunity is ideal for hard-working people who enjoy outdoor work, can follow instructions, and are also confident working alone.

⚠️ Important: Due to the type of work and living arrangements, we can currently host male volunteers only.

🐑 About the Farm Sanctuary

We are a farm sanctuary caring for sheep, horses, cattle, and dogs. The farm is spread over a large area, with:

One barn in the mountains for sheep

One barn in the valley for horses and Highland cattle
These are connected by a cable car.

Tasks vary depending on season, weather, and your abilities. The work can be physically and mentally demanding, but it is never monotonous.

👤 Who We Are Looking For

We are looking for volunteers who are:

Physically and mentally strong

Reliable, honest, friendly, and hard-working

Comfortable with solitude and responsibility

Happy to work outdoors in all conditions

Preferably with a driving license

Animal lovers with no allergies to dogs, hay, or horses

Alcohol only in moderation.
No smoking inside barns or accommodation.

An international atmosphere is guaranteed (German, English, and Italian spoken).

⚠️ Requirements

International medical insurance valid in Switzerland is mandatory

Be prepared for a lot of walking and hiking

In winter, expect snow and cold conditions

Respect the property as if it were your own: clean up after yourself, return tools, and keep everything tidy

Due to the size of the farm and additional work commitments, long-term helpers who can work independently are strongly preferred.

📸 Applications without a photo or without genuine interest in farm work will not be considered.

🌿 What We Offer

Work in a stunning mountain landscape

Around 6 hours of help per day (sometimes more, sometimes less)

Flexible schedule, leaving time to explore the area

In winter: skiing, snowboarding, or relaxing

Private accommodation with cooking facilities

Pocket money for groceries

✨ If you are looking for a simple life, meaningful work, and nature all around you, we would love to hear from you!

⚠️ Due to the help required and the living arrangements, we can only accept male helpers. ⚠️ Important to Know Running a farm sanctuary requires strong organization and reliable people. Life here is beautiful, but this is not a holiday camp. It is real farm life, and at times it can be physically and mentally demanding. We appreciate volunteers who are open-minded, respectful, and non-judgmental. If you are ready to step out of your comfort zone, take responsibility, and don’t expect everything to be done for you, this experience can be very rewarding. 💪 Physical & Mental Requirements Good physical and mental strength is essential Expect a lot of walking and hiking Snowy conditions in winter Ability to help independently and sometimes alone Because the farm is large and I also work as a sport-swimming teacher at the local school, I strongly prefer long-term helpers who feel confident managing tasks on their own. 📸 Only applications with a photo and genuine interest in farm help will be considered. 🛠️ Type of Help Most help is outdoors, and weather conditions cannot be chosen Some periods are more intense, but this is balanced with more free time 🗓️ Seasonal Help Overview April–August: Preparing fields and farm, moving animals outdoors, haymaking on steep alpine meadows, watering fields, checking animals on high mountain pastures Summer (busiest period): Physically demanding help; helpers must be fit and not afraid of hard tasks September–March: Fence repairs, winter preparation, feeding animals, cleaning manure, moving animals, general farm tasks Help is mainly needed April–November, but 1–2 helpers can also be hosted in winter. ✨ Enjoying physical help and solitude is essential to feel comfortable here. 🚜 Tractor-driving skills (or willingness to learn) are very welcome. 🎒 Practical Information Switzerland is expensive, so please come well prepared Bring proper outdoor clothing for all seasons: Waterproof jacket & pants Good hiking boots (no sneakers) International medical insurance is required Bring enough personal money for free-time activities or emergencies 📱 Communication: Before arrival, make sure you have a SIM card that works in Switzerland (WhatsApp is essential). Swiss SIM cards are available at post offices. 🌿 What We Offer Help in a beautiful mountain setting Around 6 hours per day on average (sometimes more, sometimes less) Flexible schedule, depending on animal needs Time to explore the area, relax, or in winter ski / snowboard Accommodation with cooking facilities Pocket money for groceries 🌄 If you are looking for a simple life, meaningful help, and nature all around you, I would love to hear from you.


Reviews

4.0
(1 review)1

Staff & Host

4.0

Hours & Tasks

4.0

Hostel

5.0

Learning & Fun

4.0

Sweden

4

I stayed at Hof Allegro for one and a half month in which I learned a lot about animalcare. Dea has a deep care for her animals and therefore puts a high standard for her volunteers work

It was both ups and downs in having this as my first experience with animalcare. There was a lot of independent work which is good for learning. They are detailed in their work description except for when things got a little stressful and the explaining quickly got over to yelling

Jeizinen is beautiful, classic Swiss!
Something to concider for hikers: The distans to hike gets limited by the workschedule

3 days ago


Patrizia Dea replied

Thank you, Alfred, for sharing your experience. This was your first experience in animal care, and unfortunately the demands of our sanctuary were not the right match. Caring for over 200 animals in a mountain environment requires experience, resilience, independence, and the ability to handle pressure, which is very different from an idealized view of farm life. We wish you all the best for your future experiences.


Perfect for you if you're looking for

Contact with nature

Vegetarian / Vegan

Rural

Contact with animals

Wilderness

Snowy