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Volunteering

Come and spend mornings with us

Walks, brushing, cleaning and lots of cuddles. The animals notice everyone who arrives, and you'll notice the difference too.

Carers playing with dogs in a field under the cork oaks

The programme

What you'll do

You can choose the areas you like best. Nobody starts on their own: there's always someone from the team with you.

  • Walks and socialising

    Walking the dogs in the countryside and helping them trust new people prepares them for family life.

  • Care and cleaning

    Clean shelters, fresh water, beds made. It's the work that keeps the sanctuary going.

  • Boarding & Day Care

    Helping to welcome and entertain the dogs spending their holidays here.

  • Adoptions and events

    Adoption fairs, open days, communications and transport: there's room for every kind of talent.

Benefits

What you gain as a volunteer

  • A unique experience

    Getting close to the sanctuary's animals, each with its own story.

  • Sharing and community

    Being part of a like-minded team, where nobody works alone.

  • Learning

    Understanding animal behaviour and welfare better, from people who care for them every day.

  • Making a difference

    Contributing directly to the animals' lives: every walk and every bed made counts.

  • Invitations to events

    You'll be invited to the sanctuary's events and open days.

  • A reference for your CV

    If you ask, we'll give you a letter confirming your volunteering.

How it works

From the form to the field

  1. Sign up

    Fill in the form on this page. It takes five minutes.

  2. We talk

    We'll call you to get to know each other and find out what you'd like to do.

  3. Induction morning

    Come to the sanctuary to get to know the place, the safety rules and the animals.

  4. Choose your shifts

    Then come whenever you can, on the shifts we agree with you.

Sign-up

Would you like to join us?

Tell us who you are and when you can come. You must be 18 or over, or 16 with a responsibility declaration from a legal guardian. Your children aged 8 and over can come with you: sign them up on the same form.

The sanctuary does not have insurance for volunteers: everyone takes part at their own risk, as stated in the volunteering declaration.

Aged 65 or over and would like to live with one of our seniors? See senior pet-sitting.

Volunteering programme terms

This English version is provided for convenience. In case of any discrepancy, the Portuguese version prevails.

Volunteering at the sanctuary

Volunteering at the Animais sem Fronteiras Sanctuary is carried out freely, selflessly and without remuneration, under Portuguese Law no. 71/98 of 3 November (Lei n.º 71/98, de 3 de novembro).

Who can volunteer

  • You must be aged 18 or over.
  • Minors aged 12 or over may only take part when accompanied by their father, mother or legal guardian, who also registers as a volunteer and accepts the volunteer declaration for minors.
  • A willingness to learn and to follow the team's guidance.

What we ask of you

  • Keep to the agreed times and let us know 48 hours in advance if you cannot come.
  • Follow the team's instructions and the hygiene and safety rules, and use the equipment we provide.
  • Do not give medication or special food, and do not remove animals from the sanctuary without authorisation.
  • Respect the sanctuary's communication policy when publishing photos or information about the animals.
  • Treat the animals, the team and visitors with care and respect.

Insurance

The sanctuary does not have insurance for volunteers. Each volunteer takes part at their own risk, as stated in the volunteer declaration.

What we offer you

  • Support and training for the tasks you choose.
  • A place in a team that truly loves what it does.

Your data

We use your data only to manage the volunteer programme, as explained in our privacy policy. You can ask us to delete it whenever you wish.

Ending the collaboration

Either party may end the collaboration at any time by notifying the other.

Fields marked * are required.

You must be 16 or over; under 18, your legal guardian takes responsibility. Under-16s are signed up by their legal guardian (below).
Citizen card, passport or residence permit.
Name and phone number of someone close to you.
Coming with a son or daughter under 18?

Young people aged 8 and over take part with you and under your responsibility. Add each one.

When you can come
What you'd like to do

Choose as many as you like.

Volunteering declaration

This English version is provided for convenience. In case of any discrepancy, the Portuguese version prevails.

I, …, holder of identity document no. …, residing at …, mobile number …, declare that I wish to take part, on a voluntary basis, in the activities of Associação Animais sem Fronteiras, with registered office at Estrada Nacional 4, km 23, 2890-160 Alcochete.

I declare that:

  1. I will treat all animals with respect, care and responsibility, following the organisation's guidance.
  2. I am aware of the risks inherent in the activity, such as bites, scratches, allergies, falls and other accidents.
  3. I take responsibility for my own actions and undertake to act safely and appropriately.
  4. I will comply with the rules on hygiene, safety and animal welfare.
  5. I will not carry out medical procedures, administer medicines or perform any other interventions without prior authorisation.
  6. I authorise the use of my image in photographs and videos for institutional and promotional purposes, unless I state otherwise in writing.
  7. Voluntary activity does not create an employment relationship, remuneration or any contractual obligation.