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Enjoy the natural beauty while helping in our dog rescue shelter

5.0
(38 reviews)38

The experience

Over 20 years ago, I began rescuing stray and abandoned dogs. What started as a personal mission has grown into a full-scale project. Today, we run a registered NGO and care for around 400 dogs and 10 cats at our shelter in beautiful Marateca, near Setúbal, Portugal.

All of our animals are available for adoption, and we work closely with a German rescue organization to help find them loving homes.

What you offer

5 hours of help per day

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

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

Gardening: Help grow plants and cultivate gardens

Cleaning: Help clean the kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms and common areas.

What you get

2 days off per week

Private Room: You will have a bed in a private room. In other words, a room just for you.

Shared Dorm: You will have a bed in a shared room, which means you will share the same room with other travelers.

Free Laundry: You can use our laundry room freely.

Bikes at your disposal: You can use our bikes any time you want.

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

Basic Internet Access: Basic speed internet for you to work remotely

Requirements

Intermediate English or Intermediate Portuguese

Between 18 and 70 years old

Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers

European Union Passport

Travel insurance

What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

Program Details

A few details about our farm:

Our animal shelter is located in Setúbal, Portugal, about a 45-minute drive from Lisbon.

Important information regarding your arrival:

• No arrivals or departures on Sundays!

• Please arrive after 5 pm on Wednesdays.

The farm is home to approximately 450 dogs and 10 cats, who are cared for daily – five days a week (Sunday is our day off).

Your support:

We would be delighted if you could help out for at least three hours a day – any additional help is, of course, very welcome!

What to expect:

The work is physically and mentally demanding: It's loud, dirty, sometimes chaotic, and the dogs are very lively. It often remains noisy even at night.

Tasks include:

Cleaning enclosures

Refilling water and food

Watering plants

Tidying up

Assisting with vet visits

Weather and clothing:

It can rain in winter, and it gets very hot in summer. Old clothes are best, such as leggings and/or [other items].

Weatherproof clothing and sturdy, durable shoes are mandatory!

Accommodation:
You will sleep either in the volunteer apartment (with a shared kitchen and bathroom) or in a caravan.

Food:
Please bring food for the first few days. After that, you can buy groceries nearby.

Towels and bed linen will be provided by Teresa, our shelter manager.

Transportation:
You can travel by taxi or bus from Lisbon.

A rental car would be great so you can be more flexible and also take trips to the beach or Lisbon.

Rules

Please keep your room and the common areas clean and clean your room upon departure.


Please keep your room and the common areas clean and clean your room before you leave. There are affordable restaurants nearby – and the nearest beach is only about 20 minutes away