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Hedgehog Conservation Volunteering Program in Portugal
Hedgehog Conservation Volunteering Program in Portugal

Porto, Portugal

Hedgehog Conservation Volunteering Program in Portugal

Trip Highlights

  • Volunteer in a meaningful animal welfare project
  • Spend time with Hedgehogs
  • Explore Porto, the second largest city in Portugal
  • Meet other likeminded volunteers from around the world
  • Improve your Portuguese speaking skills
  • Travel to other destinations in Portugal on weekends

Overview

Overview

If you are keen to volunteer for animal welfare and help in the conservation work for wildlife and endangered animals, then volunteer in the Hedgehogs Conservation Project in Porto, Portugal.

Volunteering abroad is a great opportunity to acquire new skills, meet new people from different cultures, and grow as an individual. Volunteering Solutions aims to provide you with a wide variety of volunteer programs that focus on immersing into the culture of another country and helping the local projects directly.

Being a volunteer for the Hedgehogs Conservation Project would be a perfect choice for animal lovers and those who want to do something for animal welfare and care.

Hedgehogs are one of the most primitive mammals in the planet. They have kept themselves virtually unchanged for the past 15 million years! This is long before we walked the Earth but that does not mean that these amazing animals have adapted to the chaotic world created by humans. In addition to natural causes such as predators, disease, etc, they are subject to human beings’ excessive activity: loss of habitat, mechanised agriculture, pesticides, being run over, gardening tool accidents, climate changes, human cruelty, etc.

As a consequence of all of the above, European Hedgehogs (native species) are in decline. Throughout Europe, several institutions are making tremendous efforts to counteract this population decline and increase their numbers again.
Hedgehogs, like butterflies, are seen as species which are “indicative” of the ecosystem’s health. They act as ecological pest controllers and their disappearance, in addition to being the result of habitat degradation, would cause an imbalance in the ecosystem.

 


Program Requirements

Program Requirements

Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project. You need to have an open mind and a flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference. Participants must be fit and healthy at the time of joining the program and should be prepared to work outdoors and get their hands dirty. Participants in the program should have a keen interest and love for animal conservation work. Participants should have no criminal convictions and should provide a clean criminal background check report. 


Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Volunteers in this program, volunteer for a non-profit organization that focuses on treating injured and sick hedgehogs, with the goal of releasing them back into nature whenever it’s possible. This rehabilitation centre is run fully with the support of volunteers.

The tasks of the volunteers in the program is to support the centre staff by helping to clean the hedgehog’s cages and enclosures, feeding the hedgehogs, participating in the animals’ release events in the wild, supporting procedures such as wound cleaning, medications and contributing to conservation awareness initiatives.

 


Living

Living

Airport Transfer

You will be picked up on arrival at Porto airport and transferred to the volunteer accommodation. For those participants who will already in Porto beforehand just let us know and we will arrange your pick up from any location in Porto.

Orientation

On the first day of the program, all participants are given an introductory presentation with the group giving further details of the program along with a walking tour of Porto city center for approximately two hours.

Accommodation

Volunteers in Porto are accommodated at a hostel in front of the river located in a very central area. The hostel has gender-separated dormitories with 8 to 10 beds and a very nice atmosphere and staff. Breakfast is served in a buffet every day and Wi-Fi is available and free.It is committed to sustainability with its environmental goals published and core to its concept.

Meals

Portuguese food is delicious and during your time in Portugal, you will be sure to receive some incredible treats.The meals will be served in a local restaurant next to the accommodation. Volunteers can taste the best of Portuguese gastronomy prepared with local fresh ingredients.

During your Free Time

The weekends are free for you to get to know Portugal in a better way. We can help you to book the trips that you want to go to any point in the country. Besides that, we have one or two day programs, where you will have unique experiences on your own or in a group.

Some of the tours and experiences that you can enjoy during the freetime include :-

Douro, Port and Moscatel Tour –  You will visit these wines Estates, taste them and have a typical lunch with amazing views.

Minho and Vinho Verde Alvarinho Tour – You will visit the beautiful Viana do Castelo, Melgaço, and Monção, taste the Vinho Verde and some of the best Portuguese cuisine

Aveiro and Bairrada Sparkling Wine Tour –  Visit the beautiful city of Aveiro and get to know its wonders and traditions. The Lunch is going to be Roasted Suckling Pig accompanied by wine from the region of Mealhada.  

Dão and Coimbra Tour - Visit Coimbra, a magic place with the most ancient University of Portugal and full of history. Taste the Dão region wines and the typical food and bakery.


Dates

Dates

2024

2025

January
February
March
April

07

21

May

05

19

June

02

16

July

07

21

August

04

18

September

01

15

October

06

20

November

03

17

December

01

15

January

05

19

February

02

16

March

02

16

April

06

20

May

04

18

June

01

15

July

06

20

August

03

17

31

September

14

October

05

19

November

02

16

30

December

14

Past Date

Available

Unavailable

Filling Fast


Costs

Costs

1 Week £761
2 Weeks £1062
3 Weeks £1363
4 Weeks £1665
5 Weeks £1966
6 Weeks £2267
7 Weeks £2567
8 Weeks £2869
Extra Week £302

Please Note: -An application fee of £179 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

What are you Paying for?

  • Airport Pickup and Transfer to accommodation
  • Introduction session and Placement Orientation
  • Guided Porto City Center Walking Tour
  • Accommodation at a dormitory at a centrally located hostel in Porto
  • Three meals a day
  • Shared use of common spaces and free wifi
  • Volunteer placement coordination 
  • Suggestion of weekly activities with the other volunteers
  • In-country staff support 24/7 (and the best local tips to discover the city)
  • Pre Departure Info Booklet
  • Travel & Medical Insurance (Available at an extra cost)
  • Certificate Of Completion (Upon Request)

What's NOT included?

  • Round-Trip Flights to Portugal
  • Return Airport Drop
  • Visa Fees
  • Vaccinations
  • Any personal expenses

Reviews

Reviews

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Frequently asked questions

FAQ's Application and Program Details

Health and Safety

Flights and Visa

Connect with Past Volunteers

Accommodation and Living

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