Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
27 Oct 2025
Reply rate
84.6 %
Usually responds within 11 days
Feedback
5
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
Hello, my name is Irene and I have a Sanctuary, a non-profit organization, for senior dogs, dogs who are sick and need extra care, and dogs with a handicap. We also have other animals; horses, cat Simba, goat Max, and chickens.
It all started in the Netherlands with one little dog Little Belle. In her memory, I started the Sanctuary and now, after more than 6 years, we're having a beautiful place in Portugal where we will continue helping animals in need and giving them a forever home and family.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Be a part of helping the animals in need, making their environment better, creating new things for the animals, learn more about our Sanctuary, how to take care of handicapped and senior dogs, enriching their lives, and feel a deep connection with the animals and nature.
Help
Are you someone who would love to help build our Sanctuary? You can contribute to the goal of providing the animals - dogs, cat, horses, goat, and chickens - a beautiful place to live where they can be themselves, enjoy life fully, and have many beautiful adventures on the big land we have (around 25 acres).
The Sanctuary's new home is in Catrâo, near Vale de Prazeres (Central Portugal).
We're looking for people who truly love to be together with the animals and experience life together (without the need to train dogs or horses).
At the moment, we're especially looking for help with feeding the horses. The horses are divided into pairs of 2, and they are at different spots at the Sanctuary. In the morning, you will give them their hay (and fill their water tanks if needed). At the same time, you'll feed the chickens and open their door so they can roam free during the day (and close it at the end of the day). At the spot you're staying, there are 2 cats, Simba and Minou, who love to be around and get attention, and have their bowls filled with food and water.
Normally, there is also help needed with several things like:
- Feeding the horses and cleaning their pastures
- Creating a vegetable garden
- Fencing
- Painting
- Gardening
- Forest management
- Planting (fruit) trees
- DIY and building projects
If you have any of those skills and love to help with this, you can always contact us!
The volunteer hours are around 2-3 hours a day. Helping more during the day is always possible and very welcome.
We are a non-profit organization, so we hope you'll understand that meals are not included. There is a separate kitchen to prepare your own food.
You'll need your own care here so you have more freedom to go out and explore.
We drive once a week to Fundao where there are several big supermarkets, If you like, you can join us then.
If you:
- would like to stay in peaceful nature for at least 3 weeks (a longer stay is even better if we have a good connection)
- don't need a lot of people around you (when you're looking for a community, can't stay alone or with just 2-3 people, for a longer time, then this isn't the place for you)
- have a calm energy
- love to help build the Sanctuary
- truly have a deep love for dogs, horses, and all other animals,
- wish to spend not only time with the animals but also with all the work involved with running a Sanctuary and taking care of its surroundings and all the land.
- would love to enjoy life together where both animals and humans can be themselves,
Then I’m looking forward to hearing from you 🙂
~ Irene
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
Portuguese: Beginner
Accommodation
There are a caravan, a small wooden cabin, and a big tent available. You could also come with your own camper(van). Electricity and water are available. There is a separate building with a toilet, shower, kitchen area, and washing machine.
What else ...
Lots of beautiful nature around, like Serra da Estrela mountain range, several lakes, and also nice places to visit, like Alpedrinha, Monsanto, Castelo Branco, Fundao and Covilha. When you like to do other things during the day, that's always possible. There will be a lot of free time during the day. Most of the work is early morning and end of the afternoon or some in the evening.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
Space for parking camper vans
We have enough space for campervans. There is electricity, water, and a separate space with a toilet, shower, and kitchen area.
Can possibly accept pets
Dogs are welcome, but they need to be very social with other dogs.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (3)
Every day, she did all the daily tasks needed and… read more
Irene was the ideal host. From picking me up at the train station to dropping… read more
It was very beneficial because I not only became fond of the dogs Irene has rescued but also got to enjoy the beautiful nature of the place. Irene is a woman worthy of admiration: very active, noble, with a sweet and genuine personality. She is easy to get along with, I enjoyed the landscapes… read more
Photos
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Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.7)
Communication:
(5.0)
Every day, she did all the daily tasks needed and… read more
Irene was the ideal host. From picking me up at the train station to dropping… read more
It was very beneficial because I not only became fond of the dogs Irene has rescued but also got to enjoy the beautiful nature of the place. Irene is a woman worthy of admiration: very active, noble, with a sweet and genuine personality. She is easy to get along with, I enjoyed the landscapes… read more
