Volunteer Internships

Aanifeira is delighted to receive international volunteers for internships and they play an important role in the running of the shelter.

International volunteers are most welcome from any of the following fields of work:-

• Qualified veterinarians
• Veterinarian students
• Animal Care students
• Members of the general public with a love of animals

Veterinary Volunteers

Open to fully qualified veterinarians or from 2nd year onward students from universities around the world.  Vets and vet student are welcome to come for either one or two weeks or longer to work with companion animals doing the following:    

General animal handling and restraint /  Handling injured animals / General physical & clinical examination / Collect samples (blood, urine, faeces) / Administer medication by oral SC, IM, IV Routes / General Anaesthesia / Vaccinations / Microchipping / Deworming. 

Please note that we are NOT an exclusive spay/neuter clinic and that some other surgeries are performed but always under the supervision of our vets.    Some participation is permitted in surgeries but also just looking on and learning is part of this depending on the surgery at the time.  It should be noted that there may be other veterinary interns (4 max.) here at the same time as you are.

We usually have 1 or 2 surgeries a day during the week depending on bookings and Friday afternoon is free for the volunteers however if there are surgeries on you are welcome to stay for the afternoon too.  Saturday is very busy with many visitors/adoptions/volunteers and consultations from the general public.   

Work also includes treating any problems that arise with Aanifeira’s own resident dogs and cats living at the shelter. 

There is a strict adoption policy for new owners and included in this, is the veterinary backup/support for each animal leaving the shelter.

Animal Care Volunteers

We are very happy to receive student interns taking an Animal Care course. 

Students would work under the guidance of an Aanifeira staff member and/or experienced volunteer in the following areas:-

Exercising dogs / Basic health check-up dogs and cats / Grooming – bathing for dogs / Dog clipping / Feeding – cats and dogs / Health & hygiene – cats and dogs.

For those students with a desire to be a vet nurse there would be the possibility of sitting in/observing with the veterinarian on consultations, etc.

Members of the public wanting to volunteer

Members of the public with, not only a love of animals, but a background knowledge of construction, gardening, electrician, plumbing, etc. would be most welcome to help out on general duties around the shelter.

The majority of staff at the shelter speak English so we are sure you will feel at home

Accommodation

Aanifeira is a non-profit association relying quite largely on donations and therefore needs to rent an apartment for volunteers when they come here.  The apartment is located in the centre of Santa Maria da Feira and in order to maintain it, we need to ask our volunteers to pay Euros 15 each per day to help cover expenses.   

We do require prepayment for the apartment one month prior to students coming and information on how this is done and the name of the bank, together with other feedback on what to bring along, will be provided before the start of the internship date.  

The apartment has three bedrooms (2 twin bedded rooms and one room with two bunk beds for 4 students).  Up to eight students can be accommodated at one single time.   Although this number is not always reached at one time, at least 4 or more students will be accommodated throughout most of the year.  Students should be aware beforehand that they may have to expect this type of situation and if the house happens to reach maximum capacity, then there must be discipline, understanding and tolerance amongst all students so that everyone can enjoy their experience with us.   It should be noted that those students coming on their own may have to share a room as individual rooms are not always available.

The apartment has all amenities such as fridge, stove, toaster, electric kettle, washing machine, microwave, TV, music and free Wifi.  There is close proximity to supermarkets, shopping centre and small stores all of which are located within walking distance of the apartment.

Castle at Santa Maria da Feira

Santa Maria da Feira is located about 35 kms south of Porto in the north of Portugal.  Historically important, it boasts an emblematic medieval  castle dating back to the 12th century.

In late July /early August, for around 10 days, one of the largest medieval fairs in the country takes place.  “Viagem Medieval de Santa Maria da Feira” as it is known is held in the heart of the town and visitors can enjoy gastronomy, traditions and culture which portray the daily life in a medieval village.  Regional battles, horse tournaments, banquets, royal parades and weddings of that period are also displayed during the fair. 

Health Insurance

We strongly advise all international volunteers to take our their own health insurance whilst doing their voluntary work at Aanfeira.  For those who come from within the EU community a European Health Card can be obtained free of charge.

For non-EU volunteers please contact an insurance company or your local travel agent for obtaining health insurance coverage whilst in Europe.

Transfers

We provide transfers to and from the airport – one of our team will meet volunteers at the airport on arrival holding up a plaque with the name ‘AANIFEIRA’ on it and do a drop off on final day back to the airport or into Porto if desired.  

Daily transfers to and from the apartment and the shelter are also provided for all volunteers.

Working hours

Monday to Friday

• 09H00 to 20H00 – divided into 2 shifts 09H00>17H00 or 13H00>20H00  (lunch 13H00>14H00)
• NOTE:  It will sometimes be necessary for interns to have their work split into different shifts: Morning or Afternoon   This will be the case for when we only have TWO intern students at one time with one taking the 1st shift – 09H00 > 17H00 and the other taking the 2nd shift – 13H00 > 20H00.  This is so that the Aanifeira vets can ensure that all will run smoothly throughout the day.

Saturday

09H00 to 17H00 (lunch 13H00>14H00)

Sightseeing

Close proximity to public transport for going sightseeing.  Places to see:

Espinho Beaches

Espinho – 15 kms away – resort town located right on the coast.  With 8 kms of white sandy beaches some with natural rocky inlets, there is an excellent opportunity to enjoy these beautiful surroundings.  Beach volleyball world championships take place in the summer months right on the beach attracting people from many parts of the world to see them.

There are plenty of good seafood restaurants along the oceanfront and in summer, beach bars are extremely popular.

  

Porto– 35 kms from Santa Maria da Feira – Express bus takes 40 mins  

Porto at dusk

Designated an UNESCO World Heritage site for its historic buildings and outstanding monuments, highlights of Portugal’s second largest city include the formidable Porto cathedral, the Torre dos Clérigos and the conspicuous Port wine lodges that dominate the hillside of Vila Nova de Gaia.  Although largely industrialised, Porto offers a compelling synthesis of ancient and contemporary attractions such as visiting the Port wine cellars, Sé Cathedral, Casa da Música, Torre dos Clérigos and the historic “ribeira” area located right on the Douro River waterfront and filled with small restaurants and bars.

Port wine cellars are all located in Vila Nova de Gaia (opposite side of the river to Porto) and there is an opportunity to visit them and learn about how Port wine is made.  Port wine tastings are also provided afterwards with an explanation from a guide on the different styles of Ports available.

Enjoy a cruise on the River Douro or just wander the old streets of Porto, there is always plenty to see and do.

Porto Accommodation

If volunteers are looking for inexpensive accommodation in Porto we recommend the YES HOSTEL located in central Porto at the following address:     Rua Arquitecto Nicolau Nazoni 31, 1100-527 Porto –   Tel: (00351) 222 082 391 – infoporto@yeshostels.com   Reservations can be made on line on this link – YES HOSTELS.

Travel Details

The closest airport to Aanifeira is PORTO airport (300 kms north of Lisbon) and it is serviced by many low cost airlines i.e. Ryanair, Easyjet, Air Berlin, Transavia as well as the usual European airline services i.e. TAP Portuguese airlines.

 

If travelling by train from Lisbon to Porto ideally it is best to get a train to ESPINHO which is the closest train station to Aanifeira.  Portuguese Railways are efficient and inexpensive to travel on.

Apartment bookings

Ideally those interested in coming to Aanifeira on a volunteer basis should advise us with at least a minimum of 30 days.  Accommodation is sometimes difficult and it best to book early!

A information profile form is available on request which will help give us details of who you are and where your main interests lie.

If you are interested in doing volunteer work with us at Aanifeira please contact international@aanifeira.pt for further details.