Experience the natural beauty of Marateca while helping in our dog rescue shelter in Portugal

Detalhes

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  Descrição

  PLEASE READ THE FULL PROFILE BEFORE APPLYING — AND CHECK THE CALENDAR FIRST
  
  Hi everyone,
  
  My name is Teresa, and I’m a retired English teacher from Portugal with a lifelong love for animals — especially dogs.
  
  Over 20 years ago, I began rescuing stray and abandoned dogs. What started as a personal mission has grown into a full-scale project. Today, we run a registered NGO and care for around 400 dogs and 10 cats at our shelter in beautiful Marateca, near Setúbal, Portugal.
  
  All of our animals are available for adoption, and we work closely with a German rescue organization to help find them loving homes.
  
  Volunteers are a vital part of our work. With so many animals to care for, there’s always something to be done — so any helping hands are truly appreciated!
  
  If you love dogs, don’t mind getting a little dirty, and want to be part of a meaningful cause while surrounded by nature, come and join me at the shelter.
  
  Obrigado,
  Teresa

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  Tipos de ajuda e oportunidades de aprendizado

  Trabalho beneficente

  Ajuda em projetos ambientais

  Jardinagem

  Construção/faça você mesmo

  Cuidar de animais

  Ajuda em fazenda

  Ajuda a cuidar da casa

  Manutenção geral
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  Interesses

  

  Trabalho beneficente

  

  Cuidar de plantas

  

  Jardinagem

  

  Animais

  

  Naturaleza
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  Objetivos de sustentabilidade da ONU que este anfitrião quer atingir

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  O que é isso?
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  Oportunidades de intercâmbio cultural e aprendizado

  Your stay with us will be a rewarding experience, both personally and culturally.
  
  You'll gain valuable insights into dog behavior — especially the dynamics within a pack, how they communicate, and interact with one another.
  
  This is also a great opportunity to meet people from around the world, build friendships, and share experiences.
  
  Beyond the shelter, you’ll have time to explore the natural beauty of Portugal. Our farm is nestled in a peaceful, rural area surrounded by cork trees and wildlife. It’s the perfect escape from busy tourist areas — yet the nearest city is just a 30-minute bus ride away.
  
  Beautiful towns like Setúbal and Lisbon are within reach, and several beaches are also easily accessible.
  
  Local Portuguese food is generally affordable and absolutely worth trying. Do keep in mind that Portugal has a strong meat and fish-based food culture, so vegetarian or vegan options may not always be widely available — though with a little effort, they can be found.

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  Ajuda

  – PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY BEFORE APPLYING –
  
  We’re looking for committed and compassionate volunteers to help support our animal rescue work. This is a working shelter, not a petting zoo or holiday retreat, and it’s important that you know what to expect before applying.
  
  Minimum stay: 1 week
  Maximum stay: 3 weeks (can be discussed)
  Shifts: please coordinate your preferred time with the shelter manager.
  Tasks must be completed before finishing your shift.
  
  
  What We Expect from You:
  • Be punctual, flexible, mentally and physically fit
  • Follow all instructions carefully — they are in place for your safety and the animals’ well-being
  • Be practical, attentive, and willing to learn
  • Have a real love for dogs, and not be afraid of hard, often dirty work
  • Be okay with insects, mud, poop, and sometimes challenging weather
  • That you keep both the apartment and the shelter clean and leave them tidy upon departure.
  
  
  Main Volunteer Tasks:
  • Cleaning kennels (yes, that includes poop and pee!)
  • Refilling food and water
  • General maintenance (e.g. fixing fences or dog houses)
  • Caring for plants around the property
  • Helping with weekly vet visits
  • Spending quality time with the dogs after your shift (cuddles are encouraged!)
  • And more, depending on what’s needed that day
  
  What to Bring:
  No prior experience needed — just a positive attitude and willingness to help.
  Wear season-appropriate, durable clothes and supportive shoes you don’t mind getting dirty.
  
  • Winter: Cold, wet, muddy — bring warm layers.
  • Summer: Hot and humid — bring breathable clothing and sun protection.
  • All year: Old sneakers or sturdy work shoes are best
  • depending on the weather, leggings, or working pants and a fanny pack always comes in handy
  
  ⸻
  
  The Reality of Shelter Life:
  
  This is not for everyone. Some people leave after two days because they didn’t realize how demanding the work is.
  We’re honest about this so that only the right people apply.
  
  You will:
  • Clean up poop (every day)
  • Get dirty and sweaty
  • See bugs, mice, maybe even rats
  • Work hard — even in heat or mud
  
  But if you truly love animals, and you’re ready to give your time, energy, and heart to help them, this will be an incredibly rewarding experience. We take safety seriously. For example, when entering kennels, it’s vital to follow our guidelines to avoid dogs escaping. This kind of attention protects the animals and ensures the shelter runs smoothly.
  
  
  Please only apply if you feel 100% ready to commit, physically and mentally. Our shelter and our dogs rely on volunteers who show up with care, energy, and a genuine desire to help.
  
  Thank you so much — we truly appreciate everyone who comes here for the right reasons.

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  Idiomas

  Inglês: Fluente
  Português: Fluente
  Francês: Iniciante

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  Acomodação

  Your accommodation:
  
  We can offer:
  
  - First of all, a LOT of dogs! :) Everywhere...
  
  - One fully equipped Caravan with toilet, shower and a kitchen
  - one single bed room in the shared apartment house directly in the shelter, with private bedrooms, fully equipped kitchen and shared bathroom
  -one double bed room in the 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.

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  Algo mais...

  !!!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.

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