Profile information
Host rating
90 %
Last replied
28 Mar 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
66
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Badges (3)
Details
Description
PLEASE READ THE WHOLE PROFILE 🙏
- Check the calendar first-
Hi everyone,
My name is Teresa and I am a retired English teacher from Portugal.
I always have had a big heart for animals, especially dogs. That's why I started rescuing them 20 years ago and now it turned into a big project over the years. We run our own NGO including a shelter where we host around 400 dogs and 10 cats. All our dogs are listed up for adoption. We also collaborate with a German rescue organization which help me finding the dogs a new home.
We rely on volunteers and since there's always a lot of tasks to do, a helping hand is always welcome!🙏
Come and join me in my shelter ,
Obrigado,
Teresa
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Charity work
Plant care
Gardening
Animals
Nature
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Your stay will be a great experience for yourself and your personal development.
You will learn a lot about the behavior of a pack of dogs—how they communicate and treat each other.
You have the chance to meet people from abroad and make new friends.
Additionally, you'll have the chance to explore the natural beauty of Portugal, with its cork trees and diverse wildlife. The farm is located away from tourist spots, offering you the tranquility of pure nature. However, the nearest larger city is just a 30-minute bus ride away.
The next bigger village like Setúbal or Lisbon are beautiful and beaches are also within range.
Local food overall is available for fair prices and worth to try.
Please be aware that Portugal has a high meat and fish eating culture, so sometimes it might be tricky to find vegetarian or vegan dishes.
Help
- PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY-
We require a minimum stay of 1 week, maximum 3 weeks
- 5 days a week and minimum of 3 hrs/day working hours.
(of course more is always welcome) Sunday is always off
We expect our volunteers to be punctual, flexible, physically fit, attentive, keen to learn and willing to follow the given instructions.
You can work in the morning or afternoon, please make sure you finish your tasks before you finish your shift and you need to arrange your preferred working time with the shelter manager.
!!! You will be given instructions about the work and your tasks and we expect you to follow them-
f.e. you have to be careful when entering the kennel in order to avoid dogs escaping.
Please follow these instructions, we work with animals, some things might harm them which we want to avoid of course.
If you don't mind hard work, love being with dogs and don't mind getting dirty, this will be an awesome place for you and you will love it.
The main tasks in the shelter are:
- Cleaning kennels (cleaning feces and urine)
-Cleaning and refilling water baskets
-Refilling the Food containers
- Repairing things, for example fences or wooden houses
-watering and caring for plants
-weekly Assistance of vet visits
-spending all of your time with the dogs (after your shift) including cuddles
and more :)
No special equipment or experience is is required. Only clothes and shoes appropriate to the season in which you are travelling. Winter - conditions can be cold and wet and therefore muddy. Summer - the weather is hot and humid and much time is spent outdoors. Whatever the season - ALWAYS wear sensible shoes that give support and comfort. Best would be old sneakers or so.
MOST IMPORTANT:
PLEASE, please do not write us if you are expecting to come to a petting zoo, we are an animal rescue organization, a big shelter- not a holiday campsite 🙏🏻
The work is physical, and of course, it's a shelter, so you will get dirty and clean a lot of poop everyday.
There are bugs, spiders, mice and sometimes rats.
In order for you to be happy here you will need to be a practical person that doesn't get tired very quickly and is ready to put an extra effort into helping animals.
Some people commit to us and then leave us after two days because they didn't realize that working with animals in the shelter requires responsibility, dedication and a selfless spirit.
Shelter life is not for everyone, volunteering with us is an amazing experience but only if you love animals and understand fully the amount of daily work involved in caring for them. We don’t have apartments like in in cities where everything is sterilized. Sometimes it rains and everything gets muddy, you will get dirty, it will be super hot during the summer months and it will be tough to endure.
If you are ready for all of this, please get in touch with us, if there are any doubts in you, rather don't apply, as we need the spot then for others who will be commited and enjoy helping us and the dogs.
The shelter really needs the support of volunteers that understand all of the above.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Portuguese: Fluent
French: Beginner
Accommodation
Your accommodation:
We can offer:
- First of all, a LOT of dogs! :)
- One fully equipped Caravan with toilet, shower and a kitchen
- one single bed room in a shared apartment house directly in the shelter, with private bedrooms, fully equipped kitchen and shared bathroom
-one double bed room in a shared apartment house directly in the shelter , with private bedrooms, fully equipped kitchen and shared bathroom
Bear in mind, our volunteer house is basic and is in the middle of the shelter and you might be woken up in the morning by dog sounds. Please do not expect a fancy apartment.
- Towels and bed linen will be provided.
- You will share the common areas with other volunteers.
- The use of a wash machine is possible for free once a week
- The apartment is in the middle of the dog kennels. So it can get loud in the night.
(You might bring earplugs ;))
- We will also provide a bicycle and a helmet, so you can get independently to the next village in a few minutes.
- There is also the option to use the Shelter car, but is has priority for all sort of farm related trips f.e. to the vet, picking up dogs etc. A valid driver license is mandatory.
- Unfortunately, we cannot provide meals. But you can get them for a low price in the next village.
The water from the tap is drinkable.
PLUS:
- We ask you kindly to clean after yourself before you leave, we do not have time to clean every time a volunteer leaves.
- Whenever you want to go out for the night, you should sleep out - midnight being the limit to come back to the shelter. The dogs will always bark once someone walks through the shelter, it’s very noisy and we ask to considerate the sleep of everyone else there.
What else ...
!!!IMPORTANT INFORMATION!!!
!SUNDAYS NO ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE!
WEDNESDAY ARRIVAL AFTER 5pm!
- ARRIVAL DAY-
Please make sure when you book a flight, to keep in mind that you need to arrive at the farm latest 8pm on arrival day depending how you travel.
Public transportation:
1)When you travel by public transport and need a pick up from a close bus station, you need to be there latest 5.30pm! We can arrange a pick up at the bus station, if you let us know up front.
Sundays no public transport offered. Further instructions can be given.
2)When you travel in your own (rental) car or by taxi, please make sure you also arrive at the shelter latest at 8pm!
If you arrive later due to unforeseen circumstances, inform Teresa(shelter manager) upfront via WhatsApp and we can try to find a solution. Otherwise you need to be aware that you need to arrange another accommodation the first night by yourself and you have to take care of the costs yourself too.
-DEPARTURE DAY-
If you have an early flight, please make sure to stay overnight somewhere else, as leaving the farm early in the morning is not possible. Also public transport might also not be available.
Last but not least,
We cannot host volunteers with their own dog. This would be too stressful for every party.
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
Feedback (34)
They were always willing to help and perforned all tasks they were asked to from cleaning the kennels to changing water and filling up food containers
They often worked more than the established time period once they were aware a lot of tasks were still waiting to be… read more
They are an excellent example of how volunteering work should be ( in the present case working in a big dog shelter )They performed all the tasks assigned willingly and even offered to help doing something else, if needed.
Very polite and helpful, always in a good mood despite the heavy rain and… read more
There is a lot of work to do and it is fairly strenuous but you are given a lot of room to work at your own pace and schedule. The workday consists of clearing up poo, sweeping and replacing water and food. There will sometimes be… read more
Photos
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.7)
Cultural exchange:
(4.3)
Communication:
(4.6)
They were always willing to help and perforned all tasks they were asked to from cleaning the kennels to changing water and filling up food containers
They often worked more than the established time period once they were aware a lot of tasks were still waiting to be… read more
They are an excellent example of how volunteering work should be ( in the present case working in a big dog shelter )They performed all the tasks assigned willingly and even offered to help doing something else, if needed.
Very polite and helpful, always in a good mood despite the heavy rain and… read more
There is a lot of work to do and it is fairly strenuous but you are given a lot of room to work at your own pace and schedule. The workday consists of clearing up poo, sweeping and replacing water and food. There will sometimes be… read more
I enjoyed a lot, thank you for this experience! Would definitely recommend it!
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
