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Animal lovers welcome on our sanctuary for farmed animals near York, Australia

Availability

  2026 

 Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    We are a registered not-for-profit animal rescue organisation / farm stay located near York, Western Australia. Our beautiful 200-acre property is the forever home to around 140 rescued animals - including pigs, sheep, alpacas, goats, chickens, ducks, dogs, cats, rabbits, horses and cows! Many of our residents were rescued from cases of abuse or neglect, and many have special care needs (e.g. regular medication, mobility issues or vision impairment).

    We are looking for animal lovers - who are passionate about animal care and don't mind getting their hands dirty - to help us provide day-to-day care for our resident animals, and to help keep the sanctuary runnning. This includes feeding the animals twice a day, as well as general maintenance around the sanctuary and spending quality time with the animals to keep them used to human touch & interaction!

    If you are someone who loves and respects animals, and are able to commit to ensuring the safety, happiness and well-being of our non-human residents, please reach out to us. Your dedication can have a significant impact on the lives of these beautiful creatures at our sanctuary💙

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Charity Work
    Light gardening
    Creative DIY projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    Light maintenance
  • Interests

    Interests

    Gardening
    DIY & crafts
    Books
    Culture
    Events & social
    Politics / Social justice
    LGBTQ
    Farming
    Movies & TV
    Pets
    Cooking & food
    Hiking
    Outdoor activities
    Vegetarian or vegan
    Charity work
    Plant care
    Animals
    Yoga / Wellness
    Nature
    Fitness
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    In return for your help, you will get to experience a quiet rural country lifestyle, away from big towns and cities - surrounded by gorgeous natural landscapes.
    Staying here, you will have the opportunity to learn & experience:

    Animal Care:
    - You will learn about the everyday care of our animals, as well as the nutritional and emotional requirements of the animals. Over time you will form special bonds with some of our animals and get to know them as individuals, as they slowly learn to read your body language and behaviour in order to trust you - and vice versa.

    Native Plants & Animals:
    - Fiona (your co-host) is very knowledgeable about Australian native flora & fauna, and is also very savvy with plants and gardening. If you wanted to learn about any of the local plants, wildlife, or growing food - Fiona is your gal!

    Handy Skills:
    - You will also have the opportunity to learn some handy skills if you wish to help out with tasks such as building & maintaining shelters & fencing etc.

  • Help

    Help

    We are looking for volunteers who are interested in helping with the day-to-day care of our resident animals, as well as helping out around the sanctuary to keep things running smoothly.

    Basic tasks include:
    - feeding the animals (both in the morning and the evening)
    - cleaning water troughs and living areas (lots of poop clearing involved)
    - paddock maintenance (e.g. making sure animal living areas are safe and well-maintained)

    Additional projects include helping with constructing and repairing shelters, implementing animal enrichment projects and establishing and maintaining pasture on our 200-acre property

    We encourage the volunteers to learn as much as they can about the daily routines so that they can take on some responsibility and work independently.

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Accommodation is available in the main house with 3 bedrooms. The house is air conditioned and there is a fast Starlink internet connection throughout the house.

    Weekly basic plant-based food is provided for all volunteers. Basic food includes frozen vegetables, canned fruits, bread, margarine, spreads, pasta, rice, instant noodles, cereal, soy milk.

    Our sanctuary is run by senior caretakers but all have full time jobs in the city who will provide training, but please note you may have to stay at the sanctuary by yourself or with other volunteers. The local town and shops are also a 20 minute drive as we are located in country Australia. You will have your own private room in the shared house, and the sanctuary is 200+ acres with beautiful natural landscape for you to explore - so you can choose when and if you want to be around people or have some alone time!

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    Since the animals take time to gain trust, and training is time consuming for management - priority will be given to volunteers who can commit to longer stays. A minimum of 2 weeks is required but one month + is preferred and it would be great for you to build connections and feel the rewards of your work.

    Getting Here:

    Public transport is limited in this area, but with your own vehicle you can visit local towns such as York and Northam, Wave Rock, Hyden, or drive 90 minutes to Perth CBD. There are plenty of festivals and events in York and surrounding towns.

    For those that do not have their own vehicle, we have volunteers up and back from the sanctuary (days vary), who you are always welcome to get a lift with but we cannot pick up volunteers to take them up and drop them back same-day

    If that doesn't suit, there is a limited bus service between York and Perth and you can book tickets here: Click on 'Book Tickets' and then click on 'One Way' then for 'From' it is 'East Perth Terminal' if you are staying in the city or 'Midland' if you are closer to Midland. 'To' is 'York' and then put in the date that you want and it will tell you if there is a service that day and what time it leaves and what time it arrives in to York. The cost is around 20 AUD. Please check with us before you book your tickets as we will need to pick you up from York to drive you to the sanctuary.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    We have a fast Starlink internet connection and there is time to work between the morning and evening feed shifts.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    There is space under a high roofed carport to park a van

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    Pets may be possible on a case by case basis. They must be good around other animals - including free ranging chickens, cats and dogs.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • My animals / pets

    My animals / pets

    Mark

    Rex

    Buzz

    Mama Cat

    Jessiecat

    Maria

    GinGin

    Victor

    Woody

    Rocky

    Zorro

Host ref number: 177111767777

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