Shelter Animal Carer - help for abandoned dogs and cats .

United Kingdom

5

My first trip to ARA was amazing and now I know why so many people return. I really enjoyed the tasks, meeting new people and connecting with the animals. Also, the local town of Loulé is beautiful with great cafes and bars. Can't wait to go back!

about 1 month ago

Animal Rescue Algarve replied

Amy was an outstanding volunteer at our dog and cat shelter. She is very friendly, punctual, responsible, and hardworking. She consistently went above and beyond, spending extra time caring for, playing with, and socializing and training our animals. Her natural ability to connect with both dogs and cats, along with her dedication, reliability, enthusiasm, and positive attitude, made her an invaluable member of our volunteer team. We truly hope she will be back soon!

United Kingdom

5

This was my third amazing volunteer trip to ARA. The staff go above and beyond to make me feel welcomed each time. It's a pleasure to meet so many other like minded volunteers and staff all helping animals. The accommodation is great and you have access to the pool! There are so many beautiful places to visit in your free time. ARA allows you to make a meaningful impact to animals whilst also benefiting from the beautiful natural surroundings and enjoying this peaceful place. I am so grateful for ARA and I will keep coming back to this very special place. I am so grateful for ARA! ❤️

about 1 month ago

Animal Rescue Algarve replied

Ailsa has been a great volunteer at our dog and cat shelter. Highly responsible and proactive, she consistently took initiative and handled every task with care and reliability. Her friendly attitude made her a pleasure to work with, and her natural ability to connect with our animals was remarkable. Whether comforting a dog or engaging with our cats, Ailsa always showed patience, kindness, and understanding. Her dedication and compassion had a truly positive impact on our shelter!

Netherlands

5

My experience at ARA has been absolutely amazing. The shelter is so well organized and volunteers are prepared and trained before and during their stay. I have enjoyed working with all the other volunteers and the lovely animals every day. I was also happily surprised that we got training from a professional trainer every week to help us to better guide the dogs in preparation for adoption. Being together with so many other international volunteers from all regions and all ages has been an enriching experience. I will definitely come back to ARA in the future!

about 2 months ago

Animal Rescue Algarve replied

Saskia has been an outstanding volunteer at our shelter. From day one, she showed exceptional dedication, reliability, and compassion for every animal in our care. She regularly spent extra time walking our dogs, helping them build confidence and trust, and devoted great care to socializing our cats. Saskia was always punctual, responsible, and eager to help with any task, big or small. Her warm personality and positive attitude made her a joy to work with and a true asset to our volunteer team.

Germany

5

I really enjoyed my time at ARA! I felt so welcomed from the moment I arrived, and after just one day ARA already felt like home to me! I loved spending time with the animals and fell in love with all of them. The work didn't even feel like work. it was so much fun! If you're thinking about doing it alone, do it! You'll meet such kind and sweet people!

about 2 months ago

Animal Rescue Algarve replied

Merle volunteered at our dog and cat shelter and was an absolute delight. She is very friendly, hardworking, and genuinely loves animals. She consistently went above and beyond, spending extra time caring for, playing with, training and socializing our dogs and cats. Her dedication, reliability, and positive attitude made her an invaluable member of our volunteer team. Merle’s compassion, enthusiasm, and natural connection with animals were truly appreciated, and we hope she will be back

Germany

5

ARA is a very special place, where you will meet a lot of cool likeminded people and of course the cutest dogs and cats imaginable. I will definetely return someday.

about 2 months ago

Animal Rescue Algarve replied

Noe has been an exceptional volunteer at our dog and cat shelter. From the very beginning, he demonstrated remarkable punctuality, always arriving on time and ready to help with a positive attitude. His friendly and reliable nature made him a joy to work with, both for the staff and fellow volunteers. Noe showed genuine care and compassion for the animals, taking the time to comfort nervous dogs and play with curious cats. He was hardworking, never hesitating to take on any task.

United Kingdom

5

Third time at ARA this place holds a special place in my heart. Can't reccomend this place enough to voulenteer if your an the shelter lover it's perfect and very rewarding Thanks to all the staff for being so nice and accommodating

about 2 months ago

Animal Rescue Algarve replied

Heather is an outstanding volunteer who consistently goes above and beyond in every way.She is hardworking, responsible, and incredibly dependable.Her friendly personality and positive attitude make her a joy to work with,and she gets along wonderfully with both people and animals.Heather has a natural gift for caring for animals, spending extra time giving them love, attention, and comfort.She keeps the shelter spotless, helps new volunteers with patience and kindness

France

5

I had a wonderful time at ARA! This was my first Worldpackers experience, so I was a bit nervous at first, but it turned out even better than I could have imagined. I met incredible, like-minded volunteers and staff members who truly love what they do from the bottom of their hearts. Spending time with the dogs, learning about their stories, and helping to care for them was deeply fulfilling. The two weeks flew by so fast, and if I could, I would've stayed longer.. but I'll definitely be back! Special thanks to Paul for making everyone feel welcome and always being there for the volunteers!

about 2 months ago

Animal Rescue Algarve replied

Kamila has been an exceptional volunteer at our dog and cat shelter. She is incredibly proactive, always ready to take on any task with enthusiasm and care. Her positive attitude and friendly nature make her a joy to work with and a valued member of our team. Kamila’s love for animals is evident in everything she does — she handles every dog and cat with patience, kindness, and genuine affection. She is also extremely reliable and punctual, consistently showing up ready to help.

Austria

5

My two weeks at ARA were absolutely amazing! The staff were always kind and supportive, and I had the chance to work together with many wonderful volunteers from all around the world. Getting to know and spending time with all the lovely dogs and cats felt incredibly rewarding, and I enjoyed every second of it. I highly recommend doing this volunteering experience and would love to return someday!

about 2 months ago

Animal Rescue Algarve replied

Magdalena has been a wonderful volunteer at our dog and cat shelter. Her friendly personality and warm attitude were ver appreciated by everyone. She has a natural ability to connect with our dogs and cats, showing them patience, kindness, and affection. Whether helping with feeding, cleaning, or socializing the animals, Magdalena always approached every task with enthusiasm and care. Her gentle manner helped many of our shy or anxious animals feel safe and loved.

United Kingdom

5

An incredibly special place - I would 100% recommend going to ARA & definitely plan to return! The staff are super dedicated, and they really do appreciate all the support. The facilities are great with so much space for the animals and you do truly feel like you make an impact being there. I was so impressed with how organised it is at ARA, it's so easy to slot in as a volunteer and get stuck in as they have really clear schedules, tasks & everything is stored in such an accessible way. I really did fall in love with the place, the charm of the staff & the doggos - an absolute must go!

about 2 months ago

Animal Rescue Algarve replied

Issy volunteered with us for two weeks and was a great volunteer! She was always offering to help with everything — from caring for the dogs and cats to cleaning and organizing. Her energy, positivity, and reliability made a real difference every day. She’s also a fantastic cleaner, both in the shelter and in the accommodation, keeping everything spotless and welcoming. The animals adored her gentle nature, and so did we! We’re so grateful for her hard work, kindness, and great attitude.

Netherlands

5

ARA has been my home away from home. I loved every second of volunteering there. The animals are all very well taken care of and I'm proud I could participate in this for a few weeks. Had the privilege of meeting a lot of very lovely people during my stay. I'll definitely be back!!

2 months ago

Animal Rescue Algarve replied

Emma was an absolutely wonderful volunteer during her two weeks at our shelter. From day one, she showed incredible dedication, warmth, and responsibility. She worked tirelessly with both our dogs and cats— cleaning, walking, and giving them the love and attention they needed. Her positive attitude and willingness to help with any task, big or small, made a huge difference to our team. The animals adored her gentle nature, and so did we! we’d welcome her back anytime with open arms.

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