Wildlife Rescuer

location
2 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Good 4.2  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high 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

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 good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples

    About the program

    Join our Wildlife Rescue project in Portugal. Contribute to wild animal rehabilitation, gain hands-on experience, and immerse yourself in the area of Santo André

    Experience a unique opportunity to help rehabilitate wild animals in southern Portugal. This project offers a chance to directly contribute to the preservation of local fauna, including birds, foxes, rabbits, and hedgehogs.

    What to Expect:

    • Hands-On Animal Care: Assist in the rehabilitation and release ...

    About the program

    Experience a unique opportunity to help rehabilitate wild animals in southern Portugal. This project offers a chance to directly contribute to the preservation of local fauna, including birds, foxes, rabbits, and hedgehogs.

    What to Expect:

    • Hands-On Animal Care: Assist in the rehabilitation and release of wildlife back into their natural habitat.

    • Educational Engagement: Participate in environmental education and university-led wildlife studies.

    • Practical Training: Receive training from local staff and work alongside a dedicated veterinary team.

    Daily Tasks:

    • Animal Assistance: Help care for injured and recovering animals.

    • Habitat Building: Create and maintain natural habitats for wildlife.

    • Veterinary Aid: Support veterinary staff with animal care and rehabilitation.

    • Feeding and Cleaning: Ensure animals have clean environments and proper nutrition.

    • Behavior Monitoring: Observe and record animal behavior to aid in their recovery.

    • Facility Maintenance: Keep the wildlife center in top condition.

    • Habitat Design: Assist in designing and building vivariums.

    • Event Support: Participate in community and educational events.

    Why Join?

    • Make an Impact: Directly contribute to the conservation of Portugal’s wildlife.

    • Develop Skills: Gain experience in wildlife care and conservation.

    • Cultural Immersion: Experience the Portuguese way of life and explore Santo André’s countryside.

    Ready to Help Wildlife?

    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 (70 reviews)

    Agency - founded in 2015

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Very high response rate

    Coordinated by

    Cristiana

    Spoken languages: Portuguese, Spanish, English

    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.

    70 reviews · rating4.2

    Alba Gala Torrero rating5

    2024 at Youth Supporter

    I recommend this experience to absolutely anyone, it was the best of my life. The first week my placement was in a Skatepark in Cascais, so I had to catch a train and then a bus. Although it was good and the commute was fine, I didn't feel comfortable at the beggining so I asked to switch to a ...
    Martin Hag rating3.6

    2024 at Environmental Scuba Diving

    The people working there were really supportive and genuinely wish for you to have a good experience. My first day was an introduction to the area, possibility to get help with the tickets for the public transports and a guided tour of Lisbon. They also have communication chats for you to contact ...
    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 ...
    Isabel Hager rating2.6

    2024 at Environmental Scuba Diving

    Here’s a more formal and assertive version of your feedback: After months of requesting a detailed schedule for our diving experience, we only received the information after all payments had already been made. To pay €1,500 for a week, only to end up with just four dives, is completely ...
    Louise Rivet rating1.8

    2024 at English Teaching to the community

    Unfortunately, my experience was not the best one. The lodging was too far from the project; we had to travel almost two hours to get there. The classes were not organized. After one week, and following my request, I was assigned to a school which was fine but still one hour bus and metro to get ...
    Lian Van Haaster rating1.4

    2024 at Impact Surf Camp

    I would not recommend the Impact Surf Camp program. I thought it was way too expensive for what you get in return. When I was there, early November 2024, I was the only one who had booked the Surf Camp program. At first it was cancelled the day before it started because of the weather, even though ...

    Location

    Europe > Southern Europe > Portugal > Vila de Santo André

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    Contact Cristiana
      Very high response rate
    Portuguese, Spanish, English

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