English (US) ▾
Nederlands
English (UK)
Deutsch
Italiano
Português
Español
Volunteer in a Horse Sanctuary
In Córdoba, Argentina, horses used for recycling face tough lives—until they’re rescued by the Sanctuary. Founded in 2013, this 312-hectare haven offers over 200 animals medical care, freedom, and a second chance. The Sanctuary is dedicated to replacing horses with motorized vehicles, working to improve the lives of countless animals still enduring harsh conditions on the streets.
This program places you at a horse sanctuary in the hills outside Cordoba, Argentina, a 312-hectare property of meadows, forest, and river that shelters horses rescued from recycling-collection work, along with donkeys, mules, cows, goats, sheep, pigs, llamas, and dogs. Day to day you feed, groom, and water the animals, help with exercise and enrichment, clean enclosures and common areas, and assist with construction or repair of fences and shelters; rehabilitation and medical tasks are done under veterinary staff guidance. The program suits anyone aged 18 or over with a genuine interest in animals, and no prior experience is required.
You can join for 2–24 weeks, with starts every week (sundays) — the next is 27 Sep 2026. You spend your first days in a hostel in central Cordoba, then travel by private transfer to a volunteer house at the sanctuary, sharing rooms with up to five other volunteers and taking vegan meals together with the permanent staff. Prices start at $1,899, deposit included. The sanctuary runs with a small resident team of biologists, scientists, and a veterinarian, so you work alongside experienced staff rather than managing animal care alone.
Your role on this program
- Feed, groom, and provide clean water for horses and other sanctuary animals
- Support exercise sessions and enrichment activities for the animals
- Clean animal enclosures and sweep or mop common areas
- Assist with general upkeep and tidying of communal areas around the sanctuary
- Help with rehabilitation tasks for rescued animals, such as physical therapy or administering medication, under veterinary staff guidance
- Build and set up enrichment items such as toys and puzzles to keep animals engaged
- Assist with construction or repair of animal enclosures, fences, and other infrastructure
- Take part in education and outreach activities on animal welfare
Exact duties vary with the placement's needs, the season and your experience.
Role boundaries
Volunteers do not carry out veterinary procedures or make medical decisions; any rehabilitation or medical tasks, such as administering medication, are done only under the direct guidance of the veterinary staff. The sanctuary's permanent team of biologists, scientists, and a veterinarian oversee daily animal care, and a local coordinator accompanies volunteers to and around the site. Duties may vary with the placement's needs.
A typical day and week
Volunteers in the Horse Sanctuary project work for 30-40 hours per week from Monday to Friday. Weekends are free for the volunteers to relax and explore Cordoba or other areas of Argentina.
Timings are the placement's usual pattern; the local team confirms your hours at orientation, and they can change with school terms, clinic rotas, weather and the project's needs.
Who can join and what you need
- Minimum age 18
- No prior experience with animals is required, but a genuine interest in animals and nature is expected
- Minimum stay of two weeks to allow for meaningful involvement in daily operations
- Comfortable working both independently and as part of a small team
- Tolerant and respectful attitude toward staff, other volunteers, and the sanctuary community
- Good general physical and mental health, given the physical demands of animal care work
- Travel/medical insurance, either your own policy or the one arranged by Volunteering Solutions
The placement, its limits and your part in it
The placement is a horse sanctuary in the hills of Cordoba, run by a permanent team of 5-6 staff, including biologists, scientists, and a veterinarian, supported at any time by around 4-5 volunteers. The sanctuary takes in horses previously used for rubbish collection, alongside other rescued animals, and organizes daily care, cleaning, and enrichment work around the needs of these animals and the guidance of its staff.
Medical and rehabilitation work is directed by the veterinary staff, and volunteers assist rather than treat or diagnose independently. A local coordinator accompanies volunteers to the project site and is a point of contact throughout the placement. Your contribution is practical support with feeding, cleaning, enrichment, and basic maintenance, work that adds extra hands to a small resident team rather than replacing their expertise.
Our standards
- Responsible volunteer travel policyHow we choose, run and review every project
- Animal welfare policyOur rules for wildlife, marine and animal-care projects
- Certified B CorporationSocial and environmental performance verified by B Lab
- How we volunteer responsibly in ArgentinaCountry-level partner context and standards
Start dates
Weekly start dates, year-round — pick any week across the next two years.
Program fees by duration
Prices include your $249 booking deposit — which is deducted from your total program fee. Your deposit stays valid for one year, during which you may enroll in multiple programs. A 5% international banking fee applies to credit-card payments in USD or AUD.
| Duration | Total price | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 weeks | $1,899 | |
| 3 weeks | $2,239 | |
| 4 weeks | $2,579 | |
| 5 weeks | $2,919 | |
| 6 weeks | $3,259 | |
| 7 weeks | $3,599 | |
| 8 weeks | $3,939 | |
| Each additional week | +$340 / week |
Indicative conversion — your booking is charged in the currency you choose at checkout.
✓ What you're paying for
- 24 hrs Assistance and support from VS Staff
- Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
- Pickup from Cordoba Airport
- In country induction
- Private transfer to the Horse Sanctuary outside Cordoba
- Donation to the project
- Meals at the Project
- Accommodation in a centrally located Hostel in Cordoba on arrival
- Accommodation in a Volunteer house at Horse Sanctuary
- Certificate of Participation(On Request)
Not included
- Airfare
- Visa and Visa extension fee
- Travel Insurance
- Vaccinations
- Any personal expenses
- Return Airport Drop
Accommodation & meals
Airport Transfers
We will pick you up upon arrival; our transfer service will be waiting for you with a sign with your name. It is very important that you send us your flight information beforehand. It takes about 40 minutes to get from the airport to the accommodation. Please bear in mind that the transfer back to the airport is not included, you will need to take a taxi or a bus when you finish your project.
Orientation and Transportation
Upon your arrival in Cordoba, we will arrange for your transportation from the airport to the hostel where you will be accommodated until Monday. During your stay at the hostel, you will have the opportunity to participate in a city tour and attend a cultural orientation session, which will familiarize you with the local customs and provide helpful information for your stay. On Monday, a private transfer will be arranged to take you to the town where you will meet the volunteer coordinator for your project. The journey to the town is approximately a 2.5-hour ride. Upon reaching the town, you will be greeted by the volunteer coordinator, who will then accompany you on a 1-hour journey to the hills where the project is located. This transportation arrangement ensures a smooth transition from your arrival in Cordoba to your final destination at the project site. We aim to make your journey comfortable and convenient, allowing you to focus on the meaningful experience that awaits you at the volunteer project.
Accommodation
The volunteer house at the project site is equipped with beds and mattresses, with a capacity of accommodating up to 5 volunteers per room. However, it is advised that volunteers bring their own sleeping bag for added comfort during their stay. Additionally, the volunteer house features a kitchen where volunteers can prepare their meals. There is also a private bathroom for the convenience of the volunteers.
Meals
Vegan Meals at the project are included, and both volunteers and permanent staff dine together at the main house. Volunteers also contribute to meal preparation and participate in cleaning duties within the houses.
By fostering a sense of shared responsibility, volunteers become actively involved in maintaining a clean and organized living environment while also fostering a sense of community through shared meals and collaborative tasks.
Weather
Depending on the time of the year Cordoba could be very hot or very cold. The temperature during summer varies from 29°C to 40°C o and the temperature in winters varies from 2°C degrees to 15°C or 18°C. Sometimes you wrongly assume that Latin America is always hot, but this is not true for Argentina. It can be really cold in winter especially for projects that are located in the middle of the mountains.
During your free time
The town’s natural beauty, cultural richness, and holistic community make it a compelling destination for visitors seeking relaxation, connection with nature, and unique cultural experiences.
• Explore the Natural Beauty The area is known for its scenic beauty and natural surroundings. Take the opportunity to hike or walk along the various trails and enjoy the stunning landscapes, including mountains, forests, and beautiful rivers.
• Visit the Town Center: The town itself has a charming and laid-back atmosphere. Take a stroll through the town center, explore the local shops, boutiques, and handicraft markets, and immerse yourself in the local culture.
• Attend Cultural Events: The nearest town is home to a vibrant arts and culture scene. Check out the local events and festivals that showcase traditional music, dance, and art. These events provide an excellent opportunity to experience the local culture first hand.
Life on the program
Getting there and who looks after you in Argentina
Airport pickup
A driver meets you at Cordoba Airport (COR) with a name sign; the transfer to your hostel takes about 40 minutes. Send your flight details in advance.
First days in Cordoba
You stay at a centrally located hostel in Cordoba until Monday, taking part in a city tour and a cultural orientation session.
Transfer to the sanctuary
On Monday, a private transfer takes you roughly 2.5 hours to a nearby town, where the local coordinator meets you for a further 1-hour journey into the hills to the project site.
Ongoing support
The local coordinator accompanies volunteers to and from the sanctuary, and a 24-hour emergency contact is available throughout your stay.
From volunteers in Argentina
Frequently asked questions
What kind of work will I actually be doing at the sanctuary?
You help with feeding, grooming, and watering the animals, clean enclosures and common areas, support exercise and enrichment activities, and may assist with construction or repair of fences and shelters; rehabilitation or medical tasks are done only under veterinary staff guidance.
Do I need experience with horses or other animals to join?
No prior experience is required, but you should have a genuine interest in animals and nature, and be prepared for physically demanding, hands-on work.
What does a typical day and week look like?
You work Monday to Friday, around 30-40 hours per week, with weekends free to relax or explore Cordoba and the surrounding area.
How long can I volunteer for and when can I start?
Placements run 2–24 weeks, with new starts every week (sundays); the next available start is 27 Sep 2026.
What does the program cost and what is included?
Prices start at $1,899, deposit included, covering airport pickup, in-country induction, transfer to the sanctuary, meals at the project, hostel accommodation on arrival, and accommodation in the volunteer house; flights, visa fees, vaccinations, and travel insurance are not included.
Where will I sleep and eat?
At the sanctuary you stay in a volunteer house with up to five people per room and a private bathroom (bring your own sleeping bag); vegan meals are provided and eaten together with the permanent staff, and volunteers help with cooking and cleanup.
How does airport pickup and the journey to the project work?
You are picked up at Cordoba Airport and taken about 40 minutes to a hostel in the city, where you stay until Monday; you then travel by private transfer roughly 2.5 hours to a nearby town and a further hour into the hills to the sanctuary with the local coordinator.
What support is available if something goes wrong?
A local coordinator accompanies volunteers to and from the sanctuary, and a 24-hour emergency contact is available throughout the placement.
Do I need a visa, vaccinations, or insurance?
Travel and medical insurance is compulsory, either your own policy or one arranged by Volunteering Solutions; visa requirements, vaccinations, and other travel documents depend on your nationality, and guidance is sent before departure.
Is a background check required for this program?
No background check is required for this placement, since it does not involve work with children or vulnerable adults.
Who is this program a good fit for?
It suits volunteers aged 18 or older who want hands-on animal care work in a rural setting, are comfortable with physical tasks and basic living conditions, and can work both independently and alongside a small permanent team.
Will I be involved in any medical care for the animals?
You may assist with rehabilitation tasks such as physical therapy or administering medication, but only under the direct guidance of the sanctuary's veterinary staff; you do not diagnose or treat animals independently.
Related pages
Schedule a meeting with a program advisor
We're here to help — a 20-minute one-on-one with detailed info, expert advice and application guidance.
Book a free meetingMore projects in Argentina
Volunteer at a Puma Reserve
Volunteer at a renowned puma sanctuary and wildlife reserve for an unforgettable conservation experience. Explore the breathtaking landscape…
Women Empowerment Program
Argentina continues to face significant human rights challenges, especially concerning violence against women. Despite a 2009 law aimed…
Sports Coaching Program
The Sports Education Project aims to provide disadvantaged children and adolescents with access to fun, healthy activities that…