Enjoy nature, sleep in a tent and help our sanctuary animals

Help a sustainable project: 3 travelers confirmed that this host is actively contributing to a more sustainable future for everyone!
Higher chance of approval: This host has recently approved volunteers and is looking for more applications.
Connect with nature: 3 travelers recommend this experience for reconnecting with nature
Connect with international travelers: 3 travelers recommend this host to meet travelers from all around the world
Accepts couples and pairs of volunteers

Save to Wishlist

Apply Now

What you offer

25h

Hours per week: Help out and collaborate with your host only a few hours per week.

Building & Repairing: Help with a wide range of repairs or building.

Animal Care: Help look after and take care of animals.

Learn more

What you get

Days off per week: Have some time off for yourself, go explore the city or rest for a while.

Tent: You will sleep in a tent at a camping site.

Fast Internet Access: High-speed internet for you to work remotely

Use our equipped kitchen: Feel free to use our kitchen and make your own delicious food.

Free Laundry: You can use our laundry room freely.

Pick Up: We will pick you up when you arrive, and take you to our property.

Support: Get help from the Worldpackers support team in case you need it, at any point of your trip.

Verified Host: This host has been verified by our team before joining the community.

WP Safeguard: Did something not go as planned? Contact our team.; Learn more

Learn more

Availability

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Stay at least: 3 weeks

The Experience

We are an animal sanctuary located in the beautiful hills of Messines. Currently we house and care for dogs, pigs, cats, sheep, goats, horses and a donkey named Olaf. We started the sanctuary as a family on our own property. It became our mission to help the helpless. Therefore, we try to rescue and take in any animal in need. Your job is to support us in the daily care of our animals. After feeding and cleaning, there will be time for cuddles.

Learn more

Requirements

Intermediate English or Intermediate Portuguese
Over 18 years old
Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers
European Union Passport
United States visa or citizenship
Travel insurance

What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

Learn more

Talk to those who have lived the experience

In our community, you can talk to worldpackers who have already collaborated with this host and get your questions answered directly.

You can ask things like:

a) How was your experience with this host?
b) How was your day-to-day routine?
c) How much did you spend on this trip?

Exclusive for members

Connect with those who will also be there

Become a Verified Member and exchange ideas before your trip with other worldpackers who will be volunteering in the same place as you.

Become a member

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Join the host in pursuit of these goals and contribute to building a better and more sustainable future for all.

Life on land

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.

Learn more

3 Reviews

5.0

Host & Team

5.0

Hours & Tasks

5.0

Animal Shelter

4.5

Learning & Fun

5.0

How this experience will transform you

3 Get in touch with nature
3 Meeting international travelers
2 Developing environmental awareness
2 Practicing English
1 Developing social awareness
1 Learning about sustainability

This host contributes to Sustainable Development Goals

3 15. Life on land

Rita

Netherlands

I had a great time, never seen people so committed to the animals in their the shelter, knowing them all and give them as much loving care as possible. It's inspiring to spend time with them and, in my case, with the cats and dogs. I love them all, not easy to say goodbye. The camp life is basic, a tent, a small kitchen, fridge, cold shower, and portopotti, but who cares in this amazing nature. I took bathes in the river.. Without your own transportation, the hosts take you to town, where the supermarket and trainstation are. Beautiful environment

about 1 month ago

Michelle

Sweden

I had such a great time at the shelter! You stay in a camp next to the shelter, so if you enjoy camping and living the simple life like me you're gonna love it. You share an outdoor kitchen and a cold outdoor shower, and during the warmer days you can enjoy a dip in the river. There's an option to use a hot shower in the hosts' house as well. The tasks vary and you get to feed the animals, do some cleaning and maintenance. The hosts listen to your preferences and if you like to work hard, they will give you the opportunity to do so. I'll miss the place for sure! 🩵

about 1 month ago

Jayce

United States

It can be hard work at times feeding all of the animals, as well as doing maintenance on a variety of things, but it's pretty laid back. I had an incredible time watching and learning about the different farm animals, as well as the dogs and cats. The weather can also be the decider on how easy things will be or not.

3 months ago

View all

View all 10 photos

About the host

• Recently Online

Hosted by Sofia

Response Rate: This host usually answers to 100% of the messages
Response Time: This host usually writes back in A few hours

Want to know more about this host?

We only provide detailed host information and videos to Members

Become a member

More experiences of this host

Enjoy nature with YOUR OWN VAN and help our sanctuary animals

Animal Care Building & Repairing

Academy

How to become an outstanding Worldpacker

Understand how the volunteer experience works, what hosts value in exchange and what it's like to live collaborating with people from all over the world!

45min
4.7

Academy

Eco Certificate for Volunteers: Basic Concepts

Learn about ecological projects and travel with purpose. Receive a certificate of completion for this course, increase your chances of acceptance by hosts, and expand your volunteering opportunities, contributing to a positive impact on the world during your travels.