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Host rating
90 %
Last replied
2 Dec 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 66 days
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Description
Hi Animal-Lovers
You always wanted to visit the unique Galapagos Islands and at the same time do something good?
You love all animals and you love that taking care of animals is called work?
Then you are at the right place with us here.
Be part and help us at our 100% PRIVATE rescue animal sanctuary.
Hola, I am Fatima (37) and since i came to live here, on the Galapagos Islands, in 2016 I have rescued many miss treated, starved, forgotten and unwanted animals and gave them a place where they get a lot of love and time to recover from whatever they went through.I took all of them to the vet to help them with whatever they need, and also got them sterilized and vaccinated ... after they are completely recovered we try to find the perfect forever homes for them but many of the dogs stay for ever.
All this and much more is a a lot of work for me and thats why I need you!!!
You can help us to change the future for many furfriends here on GPS.
My Husband (34) is a local galapagueño from Galapagos, I (37) was born in Switzerland and we have a 5 zear old daughter
our little farm is located in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island 20 minutes by bicycle from the big town Puerto Ayora (10min by car). My Husbands speaks spanish and english and i speak spanish english and german. We have about 7000 m2 with a lot of Bananapalms and other fruits growing and a bunch of animals running in between all that.
At the moment we count - 48 Dogs, 4 Cats and 1 Pig and 1 Donkey- sharing our space.
we are only a 100% private sanctuary but we want to make a change for the rescues we have and improve their areas as nothing lasts very long in this climate
We want our project to be also good for the environment and thats why we try to use as much as we can recycled (bottles, tires, wooden palletts) or natural materials (bamboo, porotiio, wood) to build. Creative technical minds are always very welcome here!
Works for Volunteers for the animals now at the beginning can be
- cooking for the animals and feeding them (morning and evening)
- clean after animals and clean their space
- build dog houses
- re force fence that dogs can't escape
- build cat tree
- brush animals
- brush and wash the dogs
- fruit picking (depending season)
- gardening
- build an outside kitchen
- Cuddle with the animals and spend time with them
- WE NEED ALSO SOCIAL MEDIA SUPPORT AND FUNDRAISING HELP VERY URGENTLY
If all this sounds interesting to you and you would like to help us please send me a Mail.
We offer a little VERY rustic wooden bungalow to share till 4 Volunteers with 2 bunkbeds (for non picky adventure lovers)
Shared separate kitchen bungalow for volunteers
you should look at the instagram where ex-volunteers share their experiences.
a shared bathroom with hot shower, and an outside bathroom with openair shower
1 bicycle available for volunteers ($50 per month + $100 securance).
Some Fruits Veggies and herbs from the garden can be consumed any time for free always when volunteers participate in gardening activities aswell.
Apart of your help you have many things to explore like beautiful beaches, las grietas, the giant tortoises in the highlands and unbelievable many other things and we are glad to help you with your tours ferrys etc once you are here. in advance i wont answer tour questions.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
THE DOGS RUN FREE AROUND IN OUR PROPERTY. IF YOU DONT LIKE DOGS JUMPING ON YOU OR BEING AROUND YOU ALL DAY ITS NOT A GOOD PLACE FOR YOU!!!
Also important ist that we can not guarantee other volunteers to be at the same time with you so if you are a single traveler than it could happen that you end up being the only volunteer.
you SHOULD check us out on social media too before your write us. Ex Volunteers post videos so you can get more an idea of how things are here... ask us for the links
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Sustainability
Vegetarian or vegan
Pets
Self development
Farming
Charity work
DIY & crafts
Cooking & food
Gardening
Drawing & painting
Plant care
Animals
Yoga / Wellness
Fitness
Camping
Outdoor activities
Team sports
Cycling
Water sports
Hiking
Beach
Mountain
Sailing / Boating
Winter sports
Dancing
Nature
Adventure sports
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
apart of your help you can explore Galapagos which is one of the most unique places on earth where wild animals in high quantity are living in harmony with humans. Its a wonderfull place for all animal and nature lovers. Unique landscapes where Cactus crow next to palm trees and animals all around. Galapagos has 50% of his magic under water and 50% on land. so A paradise for all divers and hobby snorklers too.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Possible tasks for volunteers
- cooking for the animals and feeding them (morning and evening)
- clean after animals (poo in the garden)
- build dog houses (with recycling materials)
- reenforce fence that dogs cant escape (with natural porotio plant) not always necessary
- build cat tree
- brush and wash the pigs donkey dogs etc
- fruitpicking (depending season)
- coffee beans picking (depending season)
- gardening
- build a bungalow
- build an outside kitchen
- Cuddle with the animals and spend time with them
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Accommodation
Rustic wooden bungalow
shared bathroom with hot water shower.
private fridge for volunteers and kitchen in separate bungalow. Some fruits and Vegetables from the garden are free to consume.
please be sure you are fine with this acommodation before you write us .
What else ...
Our farm is close but still far. the next shop (with variety) is 15 minutes walking distance or 5 minutes by bicycle
VERY IMPORTANT NOTICE!!!
The Airport to Fly in and arrive on the correct Island is BALTRA GALAPAGOS. Please take that in note otherwise you'll have to take a Boat from one island to the other for two hours and 30$
But it is also recommended to fly in into baltra and out from san Cristóbal so you see more islands without traveling back and forth.
Also please Check before your write us if Galapagos realy fits in your budget
because we have so many people first writing us and than canceling due their budget
some prices just to arrive to galapagos
-tursist control card $20 at airport quito or guayaquil before check in.
-entrance fee to galapagos $200 ( til the 01.08.24 its $100)
- Bus from airport til Itabaca Canal $5
- boat to cross itabaca canal $1
- bus to town puerto ayora $5
- or taxi from canal to us $30
- taxi from puerto ayora to our place $6 during the day 8 to 10 at night
1 small Beer at the store 2.50 at the restaurant 5 dolars.
1 pound rice patatoes or pasta 0.60-1 dolar
veggies per pound 1.50-2 dolars
winebottle 15 dolars
ALSO PLEASE ONLY SERIOUS VOLUNTEERS. ITS A VERY HARD WORK HERE AND NOT ONLY CUDDLING
THE WELFARE OF OUR ANIMALS DEPENDS ON IT . But you get dirty, the climate can be humate and chilly windy and rainy but even then we need your help
PLEASE ALSO NOTE
CURRENTLY WE HAVE A MASSIVE E-MAIL PROBLEM AND ALL WORKAWAY MAILS END UP IN THE SPAM AND ARE BLOCKED NOW. I WAIT THAT SOMEONE HELPS ME TO FIX THAT BUT FOR THE MOMENT I CAN ONLY WRITE BACK THROUGH WORKAWAY AND I CAN LOG IN 1 FROM 10 ATTEMPTS SO SORRY IF I CANT ANSWER SOMETIMES.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
48 rescue dogs all sizes
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (16)
Fatima is a warm, open, and kind-hearted person who cares deeply for her animals. Her daughter is also a very sweet and fun girl – I shared many funny and joyful moments with her.
I worked… read more
No task was ever too much—whether it was cleaning, feeding, picking up after the animals, or helping with daily routines, Aylin approached… read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(4.5)
Communication:
(4.5)
Fatima is a warm, open, and kind-hearted person who cares deeply for her animals. Her daughter is also a very sweet and fun girl – I shared many funny and joyful moments with her.
I worked… read more
No task was ever too much—whether it was cleaning, feeding, picking up after the animals, or helping with daily routines, Aylin approached… read more
The work with the dogs follows a routine that you can pick up fairly quickly. Most days, you’ll be working alongside Gloria. Your main tasks include feeding the… read more
we wish her all the best for her future volunteerings and travels.
En las mañanas nos ayudaban con las tareas del Refugio en la tarde se dedicaron a hacer pulseras y artesanías para la venta o a cocinar empanadas para vender ya que así se ganan su viaje. muy admirable y siempre buena onda las 2.
También con los Animales y Niños se llevan… read more
En cuanto a nuestra colaboración en el proyecto fue de 3 semanas, realizamos diferentes tareas como poner cercados, hacer un tejado y sobre todo la realización de las tareas… read more
The shelter is filled with exotic fruit trees. The amounts of time that is needed of volunteers daily is reasonable, around 4 hours a day. However, there is always something to do : walk the many dogs, play with them, improve the kitchen or… read more
It was like winning the lottery when he came to help us.
He is such a nice, easy going spirit, not afraid of any kind of work and always ready to do something!
He did sooo unbelievable many things I would never have expected from a volunteer and I am infinitely greatful for all he has done.
He took care of our animals… read more
Its a while ago I stayed on this place, but I cannot forget for even one day, one hour... Fatima is living her beautiful idea of animal sanctuary and you can be a part of it. Her daughter Samaya will help you with some tasks as well :D Amazing little galapaguena and with support of Fatimas husband Eric as well (you can try to run… read more
She has a lot of experience around animals and They all love her
She helped me also introduce new volunteers into all he routine works her 💪🏼 she did an extraordinary job specially for her super young age but it's definitely a pleasure to invite her if she should ever write you to work with you... Don't… read more
They made it possible for me to explore the Galapagos which is an… read more
But unfortunately he left us earlier than we thought out out of nothing BUT not for the "normal" reasons NO he left because a of the next volunteering, the one he wanted to do after helping us. Something changed there and he wont be able to do the work as he was thinking to do.… read more
It was a big pleasure to have them here!
Fatima & Erick made us feel like part of the family from day one and told us all the best places to go on the island on our days off. The dogs here each have their own story and the work that these guys do is so inspiring, as well as… read more
We had such a good time together! Ben and Kellie are awesome Volunteers and hard workers with a huge heart for animals! We hope youll visit us one day again!
We had an awesome time together! Both girls did an incredible job and were so unbelievable sweet with all the animals! We really hope to have them back here one day!
