Shared via our Facebook group (posted by Emma G. in our international volunteer group). Last update: November 2024.
Quick note: availability and conditions can change fast. Please confirm current openings, dates, tasks, and expectations directly with the host before you make travel plans.
Volunteer with rescued horses in Tenerife
Tenerife Horse Rescue Center is a registered charity founded in 2018 on Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain). The sanctuary focuses on equines, and also cares for many other rescued animals from the island, including dogs, cats, birds, ducks, guinea pigs, goats, pigs, tortoises, hamsters, and more.
The community is large (around 40 people living on-site) and the work is described as “organised chaos”. After losing three members of the horse team at once due to sudden changes, they are looking for experienced horse people who can join as soon as possible.
Urgent opening: horse team (live-in)
Hours: 25 hours per week.
Minimum stay: 3 months (no maximum mentioned).
Included: food, accommodation, and WiFi.
Important: they cannot help with flight, visa, or related costs.
Experience required: solid horse experience, strong work ethic, team spirit, and confidence handling different horses in challenging situations. The approach mentioned is force-free, positive horsemanship.
Typical tasks: feeding, cleaning, basic care, hoof cleaning, in-hand walking (including sick horses), mucking out and poop picking, ground work, training, basic support with medical care, and occasionally riding (as needed).
The sanctuary describes the area as quiet and not touristy, with the beach about a 15-minute walk away. Life on-site is rustic and community-based.
Other openings mentioned (on-site)
General helpers: animal care support, sorting food donations, compost-making, and similar tasks. No experience is required for these roles, but a reliable, hard-working attitude is expected.
Instagram support: a last-minute space for someone to help manage their Instagram (requires knowing how to use Instagram and having a good phone).
Builders: builders are welcome as well.
What living and volunteering is like
Accommodation is described as very rustic on a sustainable finca. The project highlights simple living, community life, and practical work. They mention limited modern comforts and a hands-on, build-as-you-go environment.
Food is provided (they mention eating freegan). The project is presented as a good fit for people who enjoy animals, sustainability, and community life, and not a party setting.
Related tags on Voluntouring: intentional community, sustainable living, freegan, social media.
Additional update: kitchen support (live-in)
They also mention last-minute places for people who like to cook.
Places available now, minimum stay 2 months, no maximum mentioned. Applicants must be eligible to stay in Spain. They say they cannot help with a visa or provide a certificate to apply for a visa.
Exchange described: 25 hours per week in return for food and accommodation in a rustic, sustainable animal sanctuary with a large community (around 45 people).
Kitchen role: join (or potentially lead) the kitchen team to help cook buffet-style meals, described as breakfast at 11:00 and lunch at 14:30, in a fast-paced and unusual setting.
Contact details
Short stays: apply via their website form.
Short-stay volunteers application page
Website: tenerifehorserescue.com
Facebook page: Tenerife Horse Rescue
Voluntouring reminder: always confirm the latest details directly with the host (dates, hours, tasks, accommodation, food, and any requirements) before you commit. If anything feels unclear, ask for it in writing.
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Hi, I’m Elena an Italian girl of 20 I’m studying natural sciences and I’m a lover of animals.
I am a girl who loves community life, I really want to do and help.
I have read your article and would be thrilled to join your team from August to September (1 month)
Dear Elena 😊
This is the comment section of the host announcement. The hosts might not (be able to) read this section. To get in touch with them, please use the contacts they left for you in the “Contact Details section” at the end of the same announcement, just above our conversation.👆
Thank you and good travels 👋
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Voluntouring team
Hello my name is Jacqueline Williams I’ve seen your site and what you do for the animals I love how you care for them all I love all pets they give unconditional love always, I’m 60 in to days but very young at heart and would be very proud to join you all, making animals happy melts my heart. Xx
Dear Jacqueline 😊
This is the comment section of the host announcement. The hosts might not (be able to) read this section. To get in touch with them, please use the contacts they left for you in the “Contact Details section” at the end of the same announcement, just above our conversation.👆
Thank you and good travels 👋🤞
Did you know? you could use this section to leave a reference, or review, of this volunteer project/program.
Voluntouring team
I’d love to help
To whom it may concern.
My name is sage, I am a 20 year old female. I am charismatic, kind, charitable, and adventurous.
I am a passionate animal lover and activist. I created and manage my own successful holistic healing business targeted towards people and animals called ‘Howling Moons Healing’
I’m a professional reiki practitioner, magnified healing practitioner and teacher, light dynamics practitioner, animal communicator, pet trainer and behaviourist, holistic healer, herbalist, practising shaman and more.
and I love hiking, meditation, and yoga.
I’ve worked with horses my entire life
I would love to work for/with you. As I love the work you are doing 🙏😊💓
kind regards, sage xxxx
Dear Sage 😊
This is the comment section of the host announcement. The hosts might not (be able to) read this section. To get in touch with them, please use the contacts they left for you in the “Contact Details section” at the end of the same announcement, just above our conversation.👆
Thank you and good travels 👋🤞
Did you know? you could use this section to leave a reference, or review, of this volunteer project/program.
Voluntouring team
Dear Sage😊
This is the comment section of the host announcement. The hosts may not be able to read this section, so to get in touch with them, please use the contact information they provided in the “Contact Details” section at the end of the announcement, just above our conversation.👆
Thank you and happy travels.👋🤞
Did you know that you can use this section to leave a review or reference for this volunteer project/program?
Voluntouring team
Hi to you all,
I love watching you on u tube and think you are making such amazing progress with the sanctuary, must be so hard for you with the heat, and also carrying a baby which looks quite big, I am a great animal lover, but horses hold a very close place in my heart.
I used to ride from young, but due to a ankle injury this is a dream for me now.
Would love to now when the baby is due, as would love to send you a letter gift for the baby.
I would love to come out for a week or so to help on the finca, are you North or South Tenerife, I’ve visited the South many times such an amazing part of the world.
I live in England and sure the weather is not always on our side.
I look forward to hearing from you, maybe when you get this email you would of had the little one, hope your birth will be a easy one.
Thinking of you
Tanya
Dear Tanya 😊
This is the comment section of the host announcement. The hosts might not (be able to) read this section. To get in touch with them, please use the contacts they left for you in the “Contact Details section” at the end of the same announcement, just above our conversation.👆
Thank you and good travels 👋🤞
Did you know? you could use this section to leave a reference, or review, of this volunteer project/program.
Voluntouring team