The image depicts a diverse group of farm animals, including a horse, chickens, goats, and dogs, gathered in a field with a tree and a log.
Two people are outside painting a wooden A-frame structure with teal blue and pink colors, surrounded by greenery, a fence, and logs under a clear sky.
The image depicts a group of dogs in an outdoor setting, with a mix of small and large breeds, surrounded by greenery and possibly a fence or other structures.
The image depicts a collection of dark green leaves, likely from a tree, with a few brown spots scattered throughout, set against a light gray background. The leaves are arranged in a random pattern.
The image depicts a group of dogs, likely a mix of breeds, gathered together in a yard or enclosure, with some standing and others lying down, showcasing their unique characteristics.
A person is painting a mural on a wall, with a large brush in their hand, surrounded by a fence and a tree in the background. The scene is set against a natural backdrop.
Two people are planting a small tree in a field, with one person holding a watering can and the other holding a plant.
The image shows three people in a car, with two women and a man, all wearing sunglasses and making silly faces at the camera.

Join us at a vegan animal sanctuary near the Serra da Estrela National Park, central Portugal

Profile information

  • rating

    Host rating

    100 %

  • Last replied

    Last replied

    1 May 2026

  • Reply rate

    Reply rate

    94.6 %

    Usually responds within 2 days

  • feedbacks

    Feedback

    76

  • Email verified

    Email verified

Country info

If you are from outside of the EU and planning to visit Portugal to work, volunteer or study, YOU WILL NEED THE CORRECT VISA. To find out more information please contact the embassy in your home country BEFORE travelling.

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Availability

  2026 

 Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

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What's this?

Details

  • Description

    Description

    Welcome to Star Mountain Animal Sanctuary a Vegan Sanctuary for all animals to live in peace

    Hello, I’m Annie, the founder of a registered non-profit animal sanctuary located in the breathtaking Serra da Estrela National Park in central Portugal. Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome animals in need, and we’re looking for passionate volunteers who share a love for animals and wish to contribute to our sanctuary. We have 25 dogs, 25 cats, 11 pigs, 9 chickens, 4 sheep, 3 horses and 2 donkeys.

    **Volunteer Opportunities**
    We ask for 24 hrs work a week in exchange for accommodation ( a private room) and plantbased food for you to prepare your own meals.
    We are seeking motivated individuals to assist with various tasks, including:

    - **Fencing**
    - **Cleaning animal areas**
    - **Cleaning and painting the volunteer house**
    - **General maintenance** (including plumbing, landscaping, tree planting, carpentry, and more)
    - Watering trees
    - Land clearing, cutting back brambles, pulling up weeds.
    - many more random jobs that need doing at certain times of the year.

    **Physical Requirements**
    This work can be physically demanding, as it involves an 800-meter uphill trek from the sanctuary to the volunteers house, plus the work on the sanctuary. If you have any injuries or find physical work challenging, this may not be the right opportunity for you. While specific skills are not required,an ability to follow instructions and a genuine desire to help improve the sanctuary are essential.

    **Volunteer Requirements**:

    1. A love for animals and a commitment to enhancing their lives.
    2. Fluent or nearly fluent English. For the safety of the animals, it is crucial that volunteers can understand instructions, especially in emergency situations, as well as the day-to-day tasks.
    3. Bring your own weather-appropriate clothing.
    4. Be physically fit and healthy. If you regularly experience headaches, stomach ache or other ailments that could hinder your ability to perform tasks, please consider applying elsewhere. We often have physically demanding days, and it’s important that everyone is able to contribute. While occasional unwellness is understandable, consistent pain is not be suitable in our environment.
    5. Mindfulness: An understanding of the need to close gates and ensure the safety of our animals ( if your head is more often in the clouds than your feet are on the ground this is not the right volunteering opportunity for you.

    **Accommodations and Community Life**

    As a volunteer at the sanctuary, you will have a private room situated just a five-minute walk from the sanctuary. Vegan food is provided in a well-stocked kitchen, where volunteers can prepare their own meals, either individually or together as a group. It’s essential to keep the house tidy, which includes emptying bins and washing up after meals. Volunteers who do not help maintain cleanliness may be asked to leave.

    While socializing and exchanging stories is enjoyable, we also value privacy. Please do not expect me to be available at all times. Depending on the season, you may find a mix of opportunities for social interaction with multiple Workawayers to create a lively atmosphere and accomplish tasks efficiently. However, during quieter months, particularly from December to March, you may find yourself working alone, so being self-sufficient and comfortable with your own company is important.

    Most evenings i walk with the dogs , its not a job, but anyone wanting to join can.

    **Join the Community!**

    If you're passionate about animal welfare and ready for a rewarding experience, we would be delighted to welcome you to the sanctuary!

    Please remember to bring weather-appropriate clothing. The climate can be cold and wet from November to March, wet in April and May, and hot during the rest of the year. We do not provide volunteers with clothing or footwear.

    Our environment is alcohol and drug-free, and only plant-based foods are permitted in the house. If adhering to these rules may be challenging for you, we kindly ask that you consider applying elsewhere.

    Thank you for considering joining our team at the sanctuary. Your help can make a significant difference in the lives of the animals we serve!

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Charity Work
    Art Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
  • Interests

    Interests

    Vegetarian or vegan
    Pets
    Charity work
    Animals
    Outdoor activities
    Nature
    Mountain
    Hiking
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    Icon

    ...

    ...

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Be a part of helping to expand our vegan animal shelter. Nice walks in the local area . The chance to be part of foster animal rehabilitation and the chance to visit a wildlife rehabilitation centre close by.

  • Help

    Help

    We have loads of projects to complete they include, making an irrigation system, fencing the boarder and planting trees, pulling up bracken, cutting back brambles and maintaining the veggi garden, poo picking, hay turning, fruit picking, herb and flower collection amongst other stuff, all quite physical work. We also have daily tasks which involve cleaning and we have some art projects.

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent
    Portuguese: Beginner

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Private room in a house with wifi, hot showers and electricity.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    Things to do in the local area- Lots of walking and cycling opportunities in the National Park, the local municipality holds numerous events around the year. Possibilities to visit the near by towns of Gouveia and Guarda, not to far from salamanca in spain for the weekend off., if you have your own car.

    Please note it is very rural here. A love of nature is essential.

  • 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 good internet connection

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    We have a park up for small and medium campers

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    We can accept well behaved animals

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • My animals / pets

    My animals / pets

    82

    We have 82 animals living at the sanctuary

Host ref number: 827861528924

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Photos

Two people are outside painting a wooden A-frame structure with teal blue and pink colors, surrounded by greenery, a fence, and logs under a clear sky.
The image depicts a group of dogs in an outdoor setting, with a mix of small and large breeds, surrounded by greenery and possibly a fence or other structures.
The image depicts a collection of dark green leaves, likely from a tree, with a few brown spots scattered throughout, set against a light gray background. The leaves are arranged in a random pattern.
The image depicts a group of dogs, likely a mix of breeds, gathered together in a yard or enclosure, with some standing and others lying down, showcasing their unique characteristics.
A person is painting a mural on a wall, with a large brush in their hand, surrounded by a fence and a tree in the background. The scene is set against a natural backdrop.
Two people are planting a small tree in a field, with one person holding a watering can and the other holding a plant.
The image shows three people in a car, with two women and a man, all wearing sunglasses and making silly faces at the camera.
The image depicts a diverse group of farm animals, including a horse, chickens, goats, and dogs, gathered in a field with a tree and a log.

Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host

+30

Feedback

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Accuracy of profile:
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Communication:
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