Profile information
Host rating
90 %
Last replied
14 May 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 3 days
Feedback
61
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
Hi,
my name is Teresa.
I am a retired teacher from Portugal.
I always had a big heart for animals, especially dogs. So I started saving them.
Unfortunately, in Portugal animal welfare is not that spread yet as it should be. So there are many dogs homeless, badly treated, in kennels or at the killing stations. I try to rescue as many dogs as possible and give them a better life. All of my dogs are listed for adoption, so that they hopefully can become a member of a new loving family.
Until then I give them shelter on my huge farm, food, medical treatment and everything else what is needed for a dog to have a good life.
Right now I have about 450 dogs and also about 20 cats.
The cats have a separated place, so that the dogs cannot bother them.
Since its a lot of work, a helping hand is always welcome on the farm as there is always something to do :)Types of help and learning opportunities
GardeningDIY and building projectsAnimal CareFarmstay helpGeneral MaintenanceUN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Of course you´ll learn a lot of the behavior of a pack of dogs. How they communicate and treat each other. Beside that you´ll get the chance to get to know the nature of Portugal with all it´s cork trees and wildlife. The farm is located away from tourism spots, so you´ll be surrounded by the pure nature of Portugal but the next bigger city is just 30 minutes bus ride away.
Help
The main tasks at the farm are cleaning, feeding, and sometimes repairing things, for example fences or wooden houses. During the summer it can get very hot and in the winter very wet, so appropriate clothing is a musthave. But you must know, that the dogs can be a bit wild from time to time, so it would be better to wear at least long trousers to avoid scratches. The enclosures have an in- and outside area which both need to be cleaned, but the inside area also needs to be scrubbed with water every now and then.
Please make sure that you're in good health condition. The work is physically and mentally hard. Also we recommend to check your Tetanus status.
Besides that the dogs are more than thankful for every cuddle time they can get :)Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Portuguese: FluentAccommodation
You´ll have your own little apartment directly on the farm. With a private bed room, living room, kitchen and bathroom. You might share it with other volunteers, but the bedrooms are separated.
The apartment is in the middle of the dogs places. So it can get loud here and there. You might better bring earplugs for the night ;)
I will also provide a bicycle and a helmet, so you can get independently to the next village in a few minutes. During season you can have a taste of local fruits which are growing on the farm, apples, pears, grapes, limes, pomegranate, nesperas and and and. Besides that I unfortunately cannot provide the meals. But you can get them for a low price in the next village.What else ...
Next to the farm is a small village where you can get everything necessary. The next bigger city is Setubal, about 30 minutes bus ride away. Also you can reach our beautiful capital of Portugal, Lisbon, in about 1,5 hours with public transportation, which is well connected, or 45 minutes by car.
Besides that you must be aware that here are no attractions surounded. The farm is located in the pure wildlife so if you feel lonely fast, think twice if you really wanna come here.A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can possibly accept pets
As here are a lot of dogs please make sure if you want to bring an animal that it will feel good here. They can be overwhelmed and disturbed by all my dogs.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 3 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (31)
When I stayed, the main jobs were cleaning - water, cleaning up poo etc. I also enjoyed walking the dogs in the evenings and… read more
As someone who had never… read more
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.8)
Cultural exchange:
(4.3)
Communication:
(4.6)
When I stayed, the main jobs were cleaning - water, cleaning up poo etc. I also enjoyed walking the dogs in the evenings and… read more
As someone who had never… read more
Isabella we wish you all the best. Please let… read more
She got along with the animals very well and was always respectful and open to the team.
So thank you very much Fleur for all you've done. It was a pleasure to have you around.
All the best 🐾🐾
Unfortunately we only had one week but we're looking forward to the next time she'll come to us.
Katrin, thank you so much for all you've… read more
We couldn't be more happy with her and her help.
Thank you so much for all you've done. We're looking forward to seeing you again some day.
All the best for you 🐾🐾
During my stay, she was very nice with me, I thank her a lot for everything !
Mathilde
She was so lovely and warming with the dogs. We couldn't be happier with her.
So thank you Tania for all you've done. When you're around please stop by to say hello.
We wish you all the best for your journey 🐾🐾
It was a real pleasure to get to know you, and the beautiful shutter.
I’m thankful that there are people like you in this world that care, and are creative and activists!
It gave me motivation and hope.
I want to thank you for all you do, and for giving us the opportunity to help even if it’s just a bit.… read more
Luise, thank you so much for your loving and caring help. We really hope to see you soon again.
Beijinhos
When I was reading feedbacks (before coming to Portugal) I thought, people are a bit overreacting about Teresas dedication to dogs. Now I know, she is even working harder than I could possibly have imagined. It… read more
As we first arrived everything was so overwhelming… so many dogs with so many different stories, problems, personalities. The days at the shelter aren’t always easy - physically as well as mentally. But in the end we are glad we stayed, learned how… read more
So Carrie and Lata, thank you very much for all you've done. We're looking so forward to seeing you again in January.
Take good care and… read more
During my four weeks at the shelter, I felt like there was a never-ending amount of work and due to the hot and dusty weather, it could get very exhausting.
Nevertheless, I have to say that Teresa and all the lovely dogs turned my stay into a real pleasure!
This is a perfect… read more
Thank you very much Mara for helping us. All the best for your further journey.
Thank you Urša for all you've done. When you're around someday again we'd love to welcome you here again.
Valentine, we're beyond grateful for your… read more
The farm is big and is a (temporary) home to about 330 dogs. Every day tasks include walking the dogs, a little cleaning,… read more
Ash, thank you so much for all you've done. We wish you all the best on your further journey.
Thank you Petra and Cole for your help. All the best for your future.
She was cleaning, walking the dogs, giving medicine and of course a lot of petting and cuddling.
Thank you Cecilia for all you've done. We wish you all the best for your new part of life and hope to see you again… read more
Come to Terezas dogfarm if you want to meet 400 souls full of love which beg after love and attention. There is always something you can do, so it wont get borring here. The farm is surround by a beutiful nature and it is nice to go for a walk with the dogs in the evenig. If you love dogs and have no… read more
Thank you so much Lucía for helping us. We wish you all the best and great workaway experiences
Jackson, we wish you all the best for your further journey. Best wishes to you… read more
We wish you all the best and want you to know that you're more than welcome… read more
Thank you so much Elisa for all you've done. We wish you all the best and hope to see you soon again.
The work with the dogs gave me a lot of joy. I helped with feeding and cleaning, took… read more
It's amazing how much she does for the animals!
Thank you two for your great support. We wish you all the best for your future.
She learned so fast and could work self-responsible very quick.
I'm more than thankful for her support and hope to see her again once.
All the best to you, Sina and enjoy your further journey.
I spent two wonderful weeks with Teresa and would come back any time. The dogs are all lovely, you get to spend your time caring for them, feeding them, cleaning their spaces and of course giving lots of love to them. You will receive a lot of love from them… read more
It was a real pleasure to help in this place, so many friendly dogs, a… read more
We wish you all the best and a lot of fun with your new family… read more
She didn't bother any kind of work and also helped perfectly with medical treatments.
Thank you so much Luisa. We wish you all the best and a great journey.
Thank you so much for your help, Jenna. We wish you all the best.
Thank you so much for everything you've done. We wish you all the best for your further… read more
Thank you very much for your great help.
Already the communication before her stay was uncomplicated and full of good energy.
She did all work very well and had a good connection to the dogs and everyone on the farm.
We hope to see her again next year. Till then we wish her all the… read more
Peyton and Michelle did all work with passion and responsibility.
We hope to see them soon again, the dogs will miss them :)
We wish them all the best for their further journey.
We did a lot of different jobs, but the most important was always spending time with the dogs. At first glance, the amount of dogs may seem intimidating… read more