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

5.0

(5 reviews)5

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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.

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What you offer

30 hours of help per week

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

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

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What you get

2 days off per week

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

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.

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

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

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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

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What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

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Program Details

You will sleep in one of our cosy tents in a beautiful orange grove in the Portuguese countryside. Our newly created Volunteer's camping side is separate from the sanctuary itself, but on the same grounds. It has an outdoor kitchen area, an outdoor cold shower facility and a simple tented camping toilet set up.
There will be other Volunteers in tents or their Camper vans with you in that Volunteer's area. With the Volunteers from all around the world, we and you learn from each other about different cultures.
With the daily tasks, you will learn about animal life and rescue in Portugal.
If you are handy, we would be happy if you help improve our facilities for the animals or volunteers.
You will have the opportunity to explore the Algarve beaches on your days off.

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Activities & Shift

We ask for a few hours of your time a day in the morning and afternoon to help us and our local employees with:
-> Cleaning and feeding our animals (pigs, sheeps, goats, cats, dogs as well as our two horses and Olaf, the donkey)
-> Spending time with our animals, socialising, cuddles and dog walks in beautiful surroundings.
-> Helping us with projects to improve the sanctuary.
-> Helping us with projects to improve the camper area for future Volunteers.

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Rules

One of the key rules for an extraordinary experience for all of us, including the animals, is respect. For the animals, other volunteers and the environment.
The Algarve is a region struggling with drought. Scarce water resources are just as big a problem as forest fires. Therefore, fires of any kind are prohibited, and water consumption should be cautious and sustainable. This is especially true in the dry (rain-free) months (March to November, sometimes even December).
Please do not post pictures of any animal without asking.