from 1,330€

Good 4.2rating (65)

Wildlife Rescuer

location
2 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Good 4.2  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Good response rate

Highlights

  • Rescue and Rehabilitate: Play a crucial role in rescuing and rehabilitating wild animals at a recovery center in the picturesque Portuguese countryside
  • Direct Impact on Wildlife: Actively contribute to the release of animals back into their natural habitats, directly aiding in their recovery and return to freedom
  • Diverse Conservation Activities: Engage in a range of tasks from animal care and habitat construction to facility maintenance, all guided by expert veterinarians
  • Educational Adventure: Participate in environmental education and contribute to significant wildlife research in collaboration with universities, enhancing your knowledge and skills
  • Adapt to Nature's Rhythms: Embrace the dynamic and unpredictable environment, adapting to changing weather and conditions, adding excitement to your conservation journey

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles
Couples

About the program

Engage directly in the rehabilitation and release of wild animals, making a real environmental difference in Portugal's scenic countryside!

Wildlife Rescue is a program that aims to help with rescued animals that are in rehabilitation at a Wild Animal Recovery Center located in the countryside of Portugal.

In this program, you'll play an active role in the rehabilitation and release of these animals back into their natural habitat, ...

About the program

Wildlife Rescue is a program that aims to help with rescued animals that are in rehabilitation at a Wild Animal Recovery Center located in the countryside of Portugal.

In this program, you'll play an active role in the rehabilitation and release of these animals back into their natural habitat, contributing directly to their recovery and freedom.

Engage in tasks throughout the year, peaking from March to August, that include animal care, habitat construction, and facility upkeep, all under the guidance of experienced veterinarians.

The program is not just about hands-on care; it's a comprehensive educational journey. You'll be involved in environmental education initiatives and contribute to important wildlife studies led by various universities.

As you immerse yourself in this dynamic environment, be prepared to adapt to changing weather and environmental conditions, which add an exciting and unpredictable element to your conservation efforts.

The area, which is part of a Natural Reserve, is one of the most important national wetlands for birds, especially in late summer and early autumn, as it serves as a refuge when other areas are totally or partially dry.

Due to its diversity of biotopes, this Natural Reserve has a high specific richness: 54 species of fish, 12 of amphibians, 15 of reptiles, 29 of mammals and 270 of birds.

In 2022, the center recovered 342 animals, and most of them were birds!


This is your opportunity to make a tangible impact on wildlife preservation while developing invaluable skills in a stunning natural setting

Typical day

Weekdays


Volunteers on the Wildlife Rescue Project will start volunteering on the Wednesday following their orientation. Start times and daily workload will vary but you will generally volunteer for up to 8 hours per day.


A typical schedule:


9:00 AM Morning briefing session to coordinate the daily ...

Typical day

Weekdays


Volunteers on the Wildlife Rescue Project will start volunteering on the Wednesday following their orientation. Start times and daily workload will vary but you will generally volunteer for up to 8 hours per day.


A typical schedule:


9:00 AM Morning briefing session to coordinate the daily activities and divide tasks
12:30 PM Mid-day meeting and lunch time at the project with the local staff and other volunteers
2:00 PM Continue volunteer activities in the afternoon, usually until 06:30 PM
8:00 PM Dinner at the accommodation.
Please note that the actual schedule can change according to the current needs of the project, seasonality, and weather.


Weekends


Volunteers will have rotating shifts and might need to work during the weekend. On your days off, you’ll be able to fully explore and enjoy the surrounding area or relax at the accommodation or nearby beaches and lagoons, or take a bus back to Lisbon.


Tasks

1. Assistance with veterinary care, such as administration of medication, physiotherapy, reception of new animals, etc.;

2. Feeding and daily handling of animals, including cleaning of facilities and behavior monitoring;

3. Cleaning and maintenance of the space;

4. Management of the rodent and insect vivarium, with at least weekly cleaning, and ensuring daily nutrition;

5. Support in Environmental Education activities, such as recovered animal release events, going to schools, photography and social media.


Free-time activities

Your stay will be along the spectacular west coast of Portugal, a hidden gem untouched by heavy tourism. 

Nestled amidst stunning secluded beaches and a magnificent natural reserve, this serene haven boasts rolling dunes and a rich diversity of birdlife. It's an ideal spot for tranquility seekers ...

Free-time activities

Your stay will be along the spectacular west coast of Portugal, a hidden gem untouched by heavy tourism. 

Nestled amidst stunning secluded beaches and a magnificent natural reserve, this serene haven boasts rolling dunes and a rich diversity of birdlife. It's an ideal spot for tranquility seekers and nature lovers.
Here, you can engage in bird watching, hiking through scenic trails, surfing on the unspoiled waves, or simply relaxing on the pristine beaches. This picturesque escape offers a perfect blend of peaceful relaxation and outdoor activities, set against the backdrop of Portugal's breathtaking coastal beauty.


Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level)

Criminal Background Check

required

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

What's Included

What's Included

Services by ImpacTrip

What’s included?

  • Pick up at the international airport in Lisbon & transfer to the accommodation - on Sunday 

On Sunday, the ImpacTrip team will be at the airport waiting for you with a big sign and a smile on our face! :)

If you arrive prior to the Sunday, you will still be able to receive an airport pickup and our team can transport you to the accommodation, but you will need to pay an extra fee for this service.
  • Accommodation at a dormitory at an impactful hostel, female dormitory, or mixed dormitory in Lisbon for the first 2 nights
  • Transfer to the project site in Santo André
  • Accommodation in a modest house in the natural reserve in Vila Nova de Santo André, max. 4 bed dormitory, share use of living room, kitchen and free Wifi
  • Three meals a day everyday: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (Local style. Vegetarian, gluten-free, and meals for lactose-intolerant are also available upon request)
At the Center, you will be in charge of your own grocery shopping and preparing your meals.

  • Shared use of a common room, outdoor area, garden, and free WIFI
  • Orientation event on arrival (including an introduction to Portugal and culture, volunteer experience, an overview of programs, practical information, safety guidelines)
  • SIM card
  • Guided city tour
  • The best tips to discover the city!
  • Allocation and coordination of a work placement in an impactful non-profit project
  • Introduction on the first day of volunteering
  • Ongoing support throughout the stay
  • 24h/7 emergency support
  • Limited coverage civil liability insurance.

Airport Pickup at Lisbon Portela Airport

On Sunday, the ImpacTrip team will be at the airport waiting for you with a big sign and a smile on our face! :)

If you arrive prior to the Sunday, you will still be able to receive an airport pickup and our team can transport you to the accommodation, but you will need to pay an extra fee for this service.
We will send a message on whatsapp close to the arrival date, to connect :)

Accommodation

Volunteers will be accomodated in the workplace, which is located near Vila Nova de Santo André, a small village where you will have the chance to experience Portugal’s slow living lifestyle!
The house is a refurbished water mill that was converted into a small and cozy place with all the equipment necessary to cook and live comfortably. You will have access to Wi-Fi, an oven, fridge/freezer, cooking utensils and cutlery, but there is no TV.
There is a washing machine for the volunteers and the staff will help you to use it.
Volunteers are responsible for preparing their meals, doing the washing-up and keeping the house clean as well as doing their grocery shopping.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Food & Beverages

Food, snacks or beverages are at extra costs.

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS) in Lisbon. We assist you to find cheap flights to Portugal. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Portugal provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Portugal you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Portugal. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

On Sunday, the ImpacTrip team will be at the airport waiting for you with a big sign and a smile on their face! :)

If you arrive prior to Sunday, you will still be able to receive an airport pickup and our team can transport you to the accommodation, but you will need to pay an extra fee for this service.
We will reach out to you by WhatsApp a few days before your start date to connect :)

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

2 weeks (min. stay) 1,330€
3 weeks 1,685€
4 weeks 2,040€
5 weeks 2,395€
6 weeks 2,750€
7 weeks 3,105€
12 weeks (max. stay) 4,880€
Average fees 535€/week

Program fees

535€ per week 2 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

2 - 12 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with ImpacTrip during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

ImpacTrip

Good 4.2 rating (65 reviews)

Agency - founded in 2015

Verified by Volunteer World

  Good response rate

Coordinated by

Cristiana

Spoken languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese

About the project

ImpacTrip is a social enterprise that promotes Responsible Travel Experiences in Portugal, Spain and Croatia.

Meet your organization

ImpacTrip is a social business internationally certified as B-Corp that promotes Responsible Travel Experiences in Portugal, Spain and Croatia.

Founded in 2015 by two dedicated social entrepreneurs that want to change the way people travel, ImpacTrip aims at combining the best of travel with a positive social and environmental impact.

We really want travelers to have the most unique and meaningful travel experiences.

We offer short-term Travel Experiences across our country that allow you and other Responsible Travelers to connect with the locals, experience the culture and contribute in a positive way to the local communities.

We also offer long-term volunteer programs in which you can dedicate 1 to 12 weeks volunteering for local non-profits for a specific cause while meeting people from all over the world.

Since 2015 we've received people from over 50+ different nationalities that contributed with over 30.000 hours of volunteer work to support over 300 non-profits.

65 reviews · rating4.2

Thomas Payne rating3.2

2024 at Animal Care and Protection

Honestly, I was surprised, when on the website it shows photos of so many dogs, animals, it turned out I was working at a cat sanctuary. It's not that I was disappointed by the cats, it was just a shock, and also, at points of the sanctuary I feel like I wasn't apart of it massively, there wasn't ...
Korbinian Schenkel rating2

2023 at Biological Park Conservation

Let me start with the positive point of this project: the hotel is really nice. Breakfast and Lunch are good and you have a good WiFi connection and access to pool and sauna. Sadly these are the only positive points, I have to say about this project. The rest is complete crap, to say it in a ...
Will Slocum rating4.6

2023 at Fight Food Waste

I had an amazing 2 weeks volunteering at a food waste redistribution kitchen in Barcelona and am very grateful to have had this experience! The ImpactTrip supervisors, Clara and Elly, were super welcoming from the train station pickup and at orientation, where they set me up with everything I needed ...
Léa NUNES rating4

2023 at Biological Park Conservation

Calm and resourceful are the best words to describe my trip there. It's really safe and people are just adorable, you don't have the impression to travel ...
Yuqian Ma rating4.2

2023 at Biological Park Conservation

There are some inconvenience because of the language barrier. The personnel there are all quite friendly. The accommodation was really good. But personally I don’t like the food there at the park. Although the work is really meaningful, there’s not much to do. For example I only had to help with ...
jessica hogge rating4.6

2023 at Biological Park Conservation

I throughly enjoyed my volunteer program here! Everyone is friendly and welcoming! You are able to see lots of animals! I personally feel you need to like horses as you work with them mostly in the afternoons! But overall brilliant experience! ...

Location

Europe > Southern Europe > Portugal > Vila de Santo André

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Contact Cristiana
  Good response rate
English, Spanish, Portuguese

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