Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
Volunteers who love working with dogs and cats and are interested in animal welfare. You’ll be working closely with local placement staff so no animal care experience is necessary.
Want to support local animal shelters as an Animal Care volunteer in Portugal? International Volunteer HQ’s Animal Care project is a great way for volunteers to help look after and re-home dogs and cats that have been abandoned or lost in Lisbon. Volunteers gain experience caring for animals in shelters while helping keep animals active and healthy so they have a better chance of finding a new home.
Join the Animal Care project and make a meaningful impact on the lives of abandoned dogs and cats! Volunteers will gain experience caring for animals while assisting with everyday tasks, companionship, and playtime so they are ready to find their forever homes.
The main goals of these animal shelters is to provide essential care and companionship to abandoned dogs and cats, ensuring they live happy and healthy lives. Lastly, occasionally, you will be able to partake in the organization and support of adoption events to connect these animals with loving families, thus raising awareness to topics of animal abandonment and promoting adoption.
As a volunteer, you’ll play a crucial role in the daily operations of the shelter. Your tasks may include:
No prior experience is needed to join this project, but a love for animals and patience are essential. Rest assured, all dogs and cats are fully vaccinated.
As an Animal Care volunteer in Portugal you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, provide parental consent to IVHQ, and potential additional documentation to the local team to participate on the program.
Volunteers aged 16 or 17 on their start date, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead, and are required to provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the program.
Volunteers aged over 18 on their start date are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ before departure.
All volunteers must speak English and have adequate volunteer travel insurance.
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
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Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
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The IVHQ Portugal Program is located in and around Lisbon - the capital and largest city in Portugal. It’s a veritable treasure trove of history, culture, breathtaking scenery, exciting nightlife, gorgeous beaches and great places to eat and drink.
Portugal and Lisbon have risen from poverty only this century, so while it is a fantastic and affordable destination to visit, local communities are still facing the lingering effects of previously being one of the poorest countries in Western Europe. Volunteers can have an impact on these communities by supporting local initiatives which aim to improve the lives of Lisbon’s residents and make sure they have access to all of life’s basic necessities.
The program orientation begins every Monday, and volunteers need to arrive in Lisbon the day before their orientation.
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Lisbon Airport (LIS). Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee, however, if you arrive outside of Sunday between 9:00AM - 9:00PM, your pick-up will incur an extra cost of €78. Volunteers under the age of 18 are required to travel with written consent from both parents or guardians in order to enter Portugal.
Volunteers under the age of 18 who require a pre-arranged visa will also need their visa application to be signed by a parent or guardian.
When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the volunteer accommodation in either Lisbon. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.
If you are traveling in Portugal prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up from a prearranged location in Lisbon on the day before your program orientation.
Orientation is hosted by our Portugal team at the accommodation. It begins the morning of your chosen start date and lasts for a full day. The orientation covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Portugal – an introduction to Portugal, culture and customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities, an introduction to project and placement as well as a tour of the local area. The orientation will also give you a chance to sign up for Portuguese language lessons if you’re on a Lisbon based project, and to meet other volunteers with whom you can swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.
Weekdays
You will have a morning or afternoon shift at your placement and will work for approximately 3 to 6 hours per day. Please note that start times and daily workloads depend on the project that you are participating on. The travel distance from the house to the volunteering site is about one hour by public transport.
| 8:00 - 10:00 AM | Breakfast is available at the volunteer accommodation. |
| 8:30 AM | Travel to placement to join local placement staff and begin work on your project. |
| 1:00 - 3:00 PM | Lunch is served at the accommodation. |
| 2:30 PM | Volunteers with afternoon or evening shifts travel to placement and begin work on their project. |
| 7:00 - 9:00 PM | Dinner at the volunteer accommodation. After dinner you will have the remainder of the evening free to relax and use as you wish. |
Please note that the schedule may occasionally change due to weather, public or school holidays, or other unforeseen events that could affect your placement. We recommend checking in advance whether your intended travel dates coincide with any public or school holidays.
Weekends
Volunteers have the weekends free and Portugal and Lisbon are full of interesting things to do, see, visit, eat and learn.
Explore the old city of Lisbon and get yourself lost in the small alleys that are seeped with music and delicious food. Be sure to try the local pastry - pastel de nata and listen to traditional folklore music - fado. Lisbon is a vibrant city with many cultural and music events, you can’t possibly be bored here. If it’s nature you’re looking for - it has that too! Sintra Natural Park is only a short drive away and boasts wonderful castles and palaces. Come for a day trip to Arrabida beach and try the well-known local wines.
Volunteers can make travel arrangements further afield once in Lisbon, with the advice and guidance of our local staff.
Volunteers participating on Lisbon-based projects will stay at a lively dormitory-style hostel in Estoril, just a five-minute stroll from the beach. You’ll share a room with 3 to 13 fellow volunteers of the same gender, fostering a community atmosphere. In instances where the male dormitory is fully occupied, male volunteers may be housed in mixed-gender rooms with other guests.
Each volunteer will be provided with all necessary bedding and towels, and you’ll have access to shared Western-style bathrooms, which are communal and not separated by gender. The hostel staff will ensure cleanliness throughout the week, though volunteers are encouraged to maintain tidiness in their own spaces. For those under 18, please be aware that a 10:00 PM curfew is implemented to ensure everyone’s safety and well-being.
Portuguese food is delicious, and during your time in Portugal, you’ll be treated to some incredible dishes.
Most volunteers enjoy three meals a day, starting with a self-serve breakfast at the accommodation. Kickstart your day with a selection of tea, coffee, fresh bread, cheese, ham, spreads, cereal, yogurt, and fruit. Twice a week, you’ll have the chance to savor authentic Portuguese dishes.
For lunch and dinner, you’ll feast on local favorites like fish and chicken, complemented by rice, pasta, vegetables, and salad. If your placement requires you to be away from the accommodation during meal times, you’ll either dine at your placement or take a packed meal with you. We accommodate for vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free (not celiac) and peanut-free diets.
While tap water in Portugal is safe to drink, bottled water is also readily available. If you prefer bottled water, budget approximately US$10 (approximately AU$15) a week for this.
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$329 (approximately AU$521) you secure your spot and unlock all our preparation and training tools.
You don't need to worry about paying your Program Fee until you get closer to your start date.
|
Duration
|
Program Fee
Due 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 1 week | $740 Equivalent to $106/day |
| 2 weeks | $1,260 Equivalent to $90/day |
| 3 weeks | $1,780 Equivalent to $85/day |
| 4 weeks | $2,300 Equivalent to $82/day |
| 5 weeks | $2,830 Equivalent to $81/day |
| 6 weeks | $3,360 Equivalent to $80/day |
| 8 weeks | $4,420 Equivalent to $79/day |
| 10 weeks | $5,480 Equivalent to $78/day |
| 12 weeks | $6,540 Equivalent to $78/day |
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
Take your volunteer experience to the next level with these popular add-ons and experiences. Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Lisbon program.
Enjoy a stress free ride from accommodation back to Lisbon airport arranged by our local team.
Arriving early or departing a few days after your program has finished? Book your extra nights of accommodation.
Coasteering adventure along Lisbon’s coastline with transport to Sesimbra.
Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important you monitor this right up until you depart for your trip.
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
| Capital | Lisbon |
| Population | 10.46 million |
| Languages | Portuguese |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Time zone | UTC+00:00 |
Weather and climate: Lisbon has a Mediterranean climate with dry hot summers and mild winters. During winter, from December to February, temperatures are mild and vary from 8°C to 14°C (46°F to 57°F). Summer, from June to September, is dry and hot with temperatures ranging between 18°C and 29°C (64°F and 84°F). Rainfall is heaviest in December/January and driest in July/August.
I gained independence, new friends, and an insight into the Portuguese culture.
The advice I would give is to just do it! Once you are there in the country, starting the program you will see that it is not as scary as you think it may be. And stepping out that comfort zone will not only improve your way of thinking but also give you a new fun experience that you will never forget.
It’s a wonderful and unique way to discover a new part of the world while volunteering in the local community. As our project was only for the morning, it left us a plenty of time for sightseeing and enjoying beautiful beaches. You get to meet and connect with people in a meaningful way through your service. I would highly recommend joining the program!
During my trip to Lisbon, I had the chance to meet people from various countries and professions. Interacting with them helped me gain clarity on my post-graduation aspirations. Moreover, I conquered my fear of dogs by volunteering at an animal shelter. Previously, whenever a dog barked, I'd instinctively scream and flee. Yet, with the encouragement of shelter staff, I started approaching, petting, playing, and understanding these dogs' backgrounds.
It was so easy to communicate with IVHQ and I liked the guidance and reminders they provided as I prepared. The team in Portugal were really really helpful and supportive. I felt like if I needed anything I could easily go to them for help or questions. I feel like I made a difference to the dogs I was working with. I also felt my confidence grew so much and as a person in general from meeting new people, cultures and experiences. I would definitely recommend it to people and say that you can't go in with any expectations - embrace as much as you can.
To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
