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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
5 Dec 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
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Details
Description
Hi! My name is Raquel (37) a local living in the mountains of Andalusia. Two years ago I embarked on a journey from the UK back to South Spain, and decided to set up a small animal rescue on our little piece of land on the edge of the Sierra Almijara national park.
We now share this land with 54 rescue animals, including all kinds of furry, feathered and hooved. We are seeking eager animal loving individuals who are are keen to get stuck in, on the everyday maintenance of the Sanctuary but also on some exciting projects to enrich the lives of the animals. i.e. Fencing off areas, creating enrichment, building or extending coops. There may also be times where we might need assistance in Projects such as Expanding the Volunteer Hub, creating outside kitchen area, compost loos, and Shower facilities. D.I.Y experience would be preferred but not essential.
We are asking for 4-5 hours a day of work with two days off a week. In your free time, choose to explore the area or stick around and relax. The Sanctuary is only a 15-minute drive from the picturesque town of Competa, with many shops, bars and plenty of hikes in the Natural Park of Sierra Almijara and Tejeda, and 30 minute drive to the Seaside.
The settings of the Sanctuary and the Caravan are ideal for a Vegetarian/Vegan couple or individuals. We ask that people respect this place as a meat-free environment and understand that this is the home of a variety of different animals all with different personalities, some enjoy daily interactions, others prefer to be left alone. We ask that you respect each animal as an individual and approach these areas with care and empathy.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
General Maintenance
Interests
Van life
Sustainability
Vegetarian or vegan
Pets
LGBTQ
Charity work
Animals
Hiking
Mountain
Nature
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You will have a unique behind the scenes view on what it is like to run an animal sanctuary. Hands on experience with daily Animal Care, and all things related to animal rescue. This would suit someone wanting to give back to the animals, or gain from our experience as to what it is like to open and run a Microsanctuary. There will also be some exchange in skills of D.I.Y and maintenance although we favour applicants who already come equipped with these skills as we really need it. Tracey is British and Raquel is Spanish so there is some opportunity for Languages exchange if this is of interest to you.
Help
We are seeking a Workaway individual(s) for a variety of tasks some tasks will be shared experiences others will be self motivated. The majority of the tasks involved will be to assist with the animal caretaking jobs, and will sometimes be done in our absence. These tasks consist of the following; opening of coops in the mornings, making sure feed buckets are full and accessible, cleaning and refilling of water dispensers, chopping veggies/fruits for the animals and distributing. Filling up the Hay racks for the Donkey, Goats and Rabbits, letting the donkeys out into the designated grazing areas, cleaning out the coops, and donkey manure maintenance.
Some of the lighter shared tasks might involve Painting fencing, and weatherproofing Coops, general maintenance of animal living spaces, washing/grooming the animals. Occasionally we may also have a sick animal that might require special quarantine assistance, this would be subject to the animal in need but could involve preparation of special diet food, warm Epsom salt bathing, cleaning of wounds and applying creams, administering medications.
Some of the heavier shared tasks might be to help on a particular project depending on the season and this might involve picking olives, trimming trees, mixing of cement, carrying of cement, digging holes or trenches, levelling off the ground, erecting fencing out of wooden pallets, building coops using repurposed materials, other D.I.Y projects that involve upcycling or repurposing. We would also like to work on making our Volunteer hub better with plans for outdoor shower cubicles and an outside shared kitchen in the future.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
We can offer two cozy accommodation options with beautiful views:
- A modest one-bedroom semi off-grid caravan overlooking the mountains.
- An independent, fully refurbished double bedroom (called Aljibe) with sea views.
Both the Caravan and the Aljibe are powered by solar energy but can also be connected to the main electricity if needed. Each includes a small working mini-fridge and a compost toilet. They’re simple yet comfortable spaces with the basic essentials. Please note there is no shower in the units, but you’ll have access to our private bathroom until our outdoor shower for guests is completed.
You can choose between the Caravan or the Aljibe, depending on availability.
Please note There is no Wi-Fi in either accommodation, but mobile data signal is strong. While working at the sanctuary, you’ll have access to our private Wi-Fi.
What else ...
We are a multi species animal sanctuary therefore we prefer to keep the environment meat free. We will provide a nutritious plant based Meals for you every day which you are welcome to sit and enjoy with us. In your free time we highly recommend you to visit Competa and surrounding villages where there are plenty of bars and restaurants with amazing food and atmosphere. You could also take a trip down to the coast or explore the many different mountain hikes, river walks, tours, or take a swim in the public pool. We would recommended that you hire a car but there is a bus from Competa that runs 4 times a day, more during summer. We are a 40min walk from Competa town with the first part of the walk being up hill, we don't recommend to do this walk during to hottest part of the day in summer. There is a Moped on site that you can use to go back and fourth to the town if needed. We favour applications who can stay 3 weeks or longer so you can get to know the animals and the routine, but may be open to applications for shorter periods especially if you have D.I.Y or Building experience and could possibly help us on some bigger projects.
We look forward to meeting you :)
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
We offer a very modest independent bedroom and a double bed Caravan with basic amenities, however we also welcome those who have campers/motorhomes and want to stay in their own accommodation to hook up to the electrics and use our water.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Geraldine
We don’t know much about Geraldine’s past, only that she was neglected for a long time and later abandoned in the nearby mountains with her five little piglets — two of whom now also call Sarja home. Despite her difficult start, Geraldine has a calm, loving nature and a soft spot for Julio, our wise old donkey.
Patata
Patata is a 10-year-old goat rescued from a Noah’s syndrome case. When she first arrived at the sanctuary, she was in very poor condition and had clearly been neglected. Now, she’s thriving — full of personality, and always finding friends (both goats and volunteers!) to play and cause a bit of mischief with.
Botanero
Botanero (Aka Boty) is the very sweet, cuddly but also cheeky donkey of the Sanctuary. He is one of the first rescues and represents the very beginning of Sarja.
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (8)
Ya lo sabes todo pero un ultima vez gracias, fue una experienca, restaurativo, enriquecedora y calmante para mi.
Un lugar magnifico en la campaña, en una region muy bonita, al lado del mar y de un parque natural. Los animales son todos adorables y entrañables.
Si todavía estás dudando de ir a ayudar a Raquel y… read more
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Ya lo sabes todo pero un ultima vez gracias, fue una experienca, restaurativo, enriquecedora y calmante para mi.
Un lugar magnifico en la campaña, en una region muy bonita, al lado del mar y de un parque natural. Los animales son todos adorables y entrañables.
Si todavía estás dudando de ir a ayudar a Raquel y… read more
I stayed for 3 weeks at the sanctuary and it was a time about learning new things, moving my body, calming down and enjoying the little things in life. It was my first time doing a workaway and I could not imagine it better than it was with Raquel. I was here in may and the… read more
The tasks were pretty easy and taking care of the animals every day didn't feel so much like work at all.
It's been quite cute to get to know all the unique characters of the animals.
Moreover, Raquel is a really amazing, sweet person, caring for… read more
Tracey and Raquel were very quick to get back to my messages and inform me about what to expect when I arrived. The caravan was very cool to stay in and since it's a little bit away from the main house, it's very calm and peaceful.
My days started… read more
