Living in Hawaii without paying monthly rent may seem like one of those offers that are hard to ignore, but behind this possibility there is a concrete commitment: Selah’s Pig Sanctuary is looking for a person willing to live in the structure and dedicate about 20 hours a week to caring for the rescued pigs and managing the sanctuary.
We’re not talking about a vacation, the ad describes a hands-on assignment of several months, with accommodation provided as a form of compensation instead of a traditional salary.
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The sanctuary is located in Keaau, on the Big Island
First of all, a geographical clarification, Keaau is not an island, but a place located on the island of Hawaii, commonly called the Big Island.
The sanctuary lists an address right in Keaau and looks like a small facility dedicated to pigs on the island of Hawaii. Those who apply should therefore expect an experience in a rural setting on the Big Island, not a stay on a private island or in a resort town.
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What you need to do for 20 hours a week
The tasks go far beyond the simple distribution of food, the selected person will have to take care of feeding the animals, providing fresh water, checking their health conditions, cleaning the enclosures and arranging the bedding.
The planned activities also include fence maintenance, gardening, composting and some tasks related to emergency preparedness. The role may also include carrying out enrichment activities for the pigs, supporting them during visits to the sanctuary and participating in community initiatives.
The hours are described as flexible, but animal care still requires continuity, regardless of the weather or conditions of the day.
Accommodation is provided as a form of compensation
The opportunity is often described as a chance to get “free housing,” but the official announcement uses a more precise definition.
The accommodation is valued at approximately $1,000 per month and is provided as a housing contribution in exchange for 20 hours per week of work caring for the animals and supporting the management of the sanctuary. Utilities, Wi-Fi and basic services are included. The room can be private or shared, depending on availability.
The announcement does not specify whether the cost of flights, meals, health insurance or daily personal expenses are covered. These are therefore aspects to be clarified directly with the structure before organizing the transfer.
Who can apply
Previous experience with farm animals, in the veterinary field or in shelters and sanctuaries is considered preferential, but is not indicated as mandatory. Among the characteristics considered important are reliability, autonomy, attention to animal welfare and ability to carry out physical work outdoors in a rural environment.
The sanctuary prefers people willing to stay for a period of between three and six months. The application form also requests information on your driving license and any experience of community life. A detail that suggests how much practical independence and the ability to share spaces with other people also matter.
The dates of the announcement do not coincide perfectly
At the time of publication of the original article, the announcement on Idealist indicated August 10, 2026 as the deadline to apply, August 17 as the start date and January 1, 2027 as the end date. However, in the same announcement there was also talk of flexible departures and a commitment preferably between three and six months.
Furthermore, on the official website of the sanctuary there continues to be a form to apply as a live-in pig caretaker. Since the dates and descriptions do not align perfectly, those interested should check directly with the sanctuary whether the position is still available and what the conditions are currently expected.
For those arriving from abroad there is also the issue of a visa
The public announcement does not guarantee any visa sponsorship and does not specify that candidates from any country can participate. The U.S. Department of State indicates that participants in certain qualified nonprofit volunteer programs may, in certain circumstances, be eligible for specific visitor visa categories. However, this does not mean that any arrangement based on voluntary work in exchange for accommodation automatically meets the requirements. Those arriving from abroad should therefore check their status with the relevant US authorities and the sanctuary before purchasing airline tickets.
How to apply
Applications can be submitted through Idealist or via the form available on the Selah’s Pig Sanctuary website. The announcement also invites you to send a CV and a short presentation. The information requested includes experience with animals, expected arrival period, length of stay, availability to drive and any previous experience of living with other people. Before leaving, it is also advisable to clarify aspects such as meals, transport, days off, physical effort required, emergency management and precise characteristics of the accommodation.
