Animal Care
Join our Animal Care program in Porto, Portugal, and work with local NGOs to improve the lives of stray cats and dogs. Support efforts like Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), caring for shelter animals, and promoting responsible adoption, all while experiencing the vibrant culture of Porto!
This program gives international volunteers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of stray animals by working with a local NGO dedicated to animal welfare. These organizations focus on reducing animal abandonment, promoting responsible pet ownership, and increasing adoption rates.
As a volunteer, you’ll be assigned to a specific project within the program, where you’ll focus on a distinct set of tasks tailored to the needs of the animals and the NGO. Projects could have you working hands-on with stray cats through the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) method, helping care for dogs, or keeping the shelter spaces clean and welcoming. Each project is set up to make sure your efforts really count and create a positive impact for the animals.
What to Expect:
As a volunteer, your tasks will vary depending on the project you’re assigned to, but they might include:
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- Trapping: Helping to catch stray cats using proper equipment as part of the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) method.
- Post-op Care: Feeding, cleaning, and administering medication to ensure animals recover well after surgery.
- Releases: Assisting in returning neutered cats to their original colonies.
- Dog Walking: Taking dogs for walks to provide exercise and stimulation.
- Animal Enrichment: Spending time playing with cats or dogs to improve their well-being and socialization.
- Shelter Maintenance: Cleaning cages, food bowls, and equipment, organizing spaces, and keeping the shelter tidy and safe for all animals.
- Organizing Donations: Helping to sort and manage donated items to support the NGO’s operations.
- Painting and Gardening (Occasionally): Pitching in with beautifying and maintaining the shelter through painting or gardening projects.
- Community Support: Participating in awareness campaigns or events to help spread the word about animal welfare.
Daily Tasks:
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- Trapping cats
- Feeding and administering medication
- Cleaning spaces and food bowls
- Walking dogs
- Playing with animals
- General maintenance and organization
- Painting and gardening (occasionally)
Why Join?
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- Make a Difference: Support various initiatives aimed at improving the lives of stray and abandoned animals.
- Gain Experience: Develop hands-on skills in animal care and shelter management.
- Cultural Immersion: Experience life in Porto while contributing to a meaningful cause.
Ready to Help Animals?
Included
- Airport pickup on Sundays, straight to your accommodation
- Stay in a socially or environmentally impactful hostel—female, male, or mixed dorms
- Access to a common room and free Wi-Fi!
- Three meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner)—veggie, vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free options available upon request
- Orientation on arrival: culture, volunteering, program details, and safety
- We’ll hook you up with an impactful non-profit project and handle the coordination
- Guided city tour with top tips for exploring
- Ongoing support throughout your stay
- 24/7 emergency support, just in case
FAQ
What is the minimum age to participate in this program? 18+
The minimum age to participate in this program is 18 years.
Do I have to pay money for volunteering?+
You are not paying for your volunteer work itself but for your stay with us overall. The costs for your program further include various elements that are part of your stay such as your accommodation, food, transportation from the airport, guided city tour, local coordination and 24/7 support for emergencies. Check the "Included" section of the program you want to choose for complete information!
How and when do I need to pay for my volunteer program with ImpacTrip?+
The payment of your volunteer program is done by bank transfer. We will kindly ask you to pay 50% of your bill at the time of your booking to secure your spot! The other 50% will be due at least one month before your arrival!
What is the accommodation like? Could I stay in a private room?+
Depending on the program, in most cases, you will stay along with the other volunteers in dormitory-style rooms. Private rooms may be available at your accommodation as well for an extra cost.
Can I cook in the accommodation?+
Yes, the hostel has an eqquiped kitchen where you can cook yourself with the only condition of cleaning everything used afterwards.
How much money should I bring to my program?+
Once you've booked your program, be sure to reach out to your local coordinator to get the scoop on the cost of living in your destination—it can differ quite a bit! And don't forget to budget for public transportation, emergencies, airport drop-off, snacks, fun activities, and a bit of local shopping. Happy planning!
How many people will be I be volunteering with?+
Depending on your program and project, you might be joined by other ImpacTrip volunteers, but usually, you’ll either be on your own or with local volunteers. It's a fantastic opportunity to connect with locals and immerse yourself in the community and its lifestyle!
In case of need, how do I get health care?+
All volunteers must arrive with private health insurance that covers the costs of any health service that may arise in their program destination.
With this insurance you can be treated at any private or public medical center. The medical expenses will be paid by you and when you return to your country you will have to present all the invoices to your insurance so don't forget to budget medical emergencies.
In the case of European volunteers, to facilitate the process, it is advisable to come with your European Health Card.
Do I need to speak the local language?+
No, you don't need to have any previous skills in the local language! All of our programs are run entirely in English and our guides and staff are all comfortable speaking English as well. However, we always encourage our participants to get acquainted with some of the most basic terms and expressions, as even just a simple "Good morning!" in the local language can be a great icebreaker to start interacting with the locals! There are also language lessons available for volunteers that can be booked before or upon arrival.
Will I have time for some sight-seeing as well?+
Of course! We want you to really get to know your natural and cultural surroundings and will provide you with useful tips and tricks that will help you discover the location of your stay like a local.
Your shifts will generally last between 3 and 5 hours per day and will take place either in the morning, in the afternoon or in the evening, which will leave you with plenty of free time to go explore, take a stroll around your surroundings, catch the most important sites, interact with the locals or simply go and relax! And of course, you will have your weekends off as well!
How and when do I get my volunteer certificate?+
You can request your volunteer certificate to ImpacTrip or the local coordinator at the end of your program.
