Animal Sanctuary near Barcelona Seeks Volunteers to Care for Rescued Wildlife

Not far from Barcelona, in the municipality of L’Esquirol, Fundació El Hogar runs a sanctuary for animals that have survived abuse. The foundation is now seeking volunteers to help care for them.

The farmhouse where the sanctuary is based is home to deer, wild boars, tortoises and other species, many of them injured or living with disabilities. The foundation stresses that volunteering here is not a “tourist retreat” and not simply a chance to spend time in nature. The work requires serious physical and emotional commitment.

Volunteers will help with the animals’ daily care, clean the grounds and take on general maintenance tasks, work in the kitchen and garden, and, when needed, assist with building or repair projects. The main goal is to provide the animals with safe living conditions.

The foundation offers several ways to get involved. There is a long-term volunteering option lasting at least seven months, with a compulsory one-month trial period, as well as short-term programmes lasting at least 14 days. In both cases, volunteers live on site at the sanctuary. During certain periods, such as summer, it is also possible to volunteer on individual days. There is also an option to support the project remotely, for example, by joining the communications team.

To apply, you must be over 18 and fill in the form on the foundation’s official website.

The organisation warns that during the first month, there is a daily contribution of €7 to help cover food, water and electricity costs. Volunteers also eat together, but only vegan food is served.