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Internships with SOS Animal

Since 2007, the organization has played a vital role in promoting animal welfare in Portugal. And in 2015, they opened their Veterinary and Solidary Clinic, SOS Animal, giving free medical-veterinary assistance to animals from low income or vulnerable households. Over the years, they have sterilized hundreds of stray, abused, or abandoned animals, and has successfully found new adoption homes for over 600 animals.

SOS Animal’s latest project is to set up an animal and plant sanctuary that will become home to a wide variety of fauna and flora species. The sanctuary will be a beautiful, protected, and well maintained area, spanning 27 hectares of rich, fertile land in the municipality of Santarém. Here, horses, goats, sheep, chickens, chinchillas, rabbits, turkeys, dogs, cats, and many other animals can live peacefully, free from harm or mistreatment. The aim is to reforest the natural environment, restoring the ecosystem with trees, plants, and flowers native to the land as a way of promoting biodiversity.

Girl walking in field with a tree

Open for applications

Environmental Education Internship

  • Min. 4 weeks
  • Santarém, Portugal
  • Education, Facilitation, Curriculum Development, Monitoring
Help spread awareness of animal mistreatment and environmental issues to inspire change.
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Girl with sheep

Open for applications

Media Internship

  • Min. 4 weeks
  • Santarém, Portugal
  • Content Creation, Videography, Editing, TV
Make exciting, powerful content to inspire audiences to get behind vital conservation work.
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Vet holding dog

Open for applications

Veterinary Internship

  • Min. 4 weeks
  • Santarém, Portugal
  • Animal Care, Veterinary Assistance, Treatment
Get first hand veterinary experience by caring for vulnerable animals in a sanctuary surrounded by forest.
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Man cutting vegetation

Open for applications

Reforestation and Biodiversity Internship

  • Min. 4 weeks
  • Santarém, Portugal
  • Animal Care, Research, Data Capture, Conservation
Be part of an exciting reforestation program, helping to build a thriving natural environment for Portugal’s native animal and plant species.
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Why Intern with SOS Animal

Find out from our previous interns how internships with SOS Animal can jumpstart your professional career and expand your soft skills.

What an amazing summer internship opportunity. Overall, everything exceeded my expectations! The animal sanctuary was beautiful and the community there was very warm and friendly. The intern schedule was very flexible and left plenty of room to explore various cities. If interested in any aspect of biodiversity, wildlife, or just have a love for animals, I would highly recommend indulging in this opportunity.

Keana, American – Louisiana State University

Reforestation & Biodiversity Internship, Portugal

I loved interning at the sanctuary and being able to help with all the animals. I had a lot of fun during my time with the organization and was able to do/see a lot. It was a great opportunity to learn about Portugal and Portuguese culture, while also being able to further my experience in the animal/veterinary field!

Sydney, American – University of Vermont

Veterinary Internship, Portugal