This Greek island seeks volunteers to care for 3,000 cats

Imagine living for free on a Greek island, where your only job is to care for stray cats rescued from the streets. It sounds like a dream, but it is reality! An animal welfare organization is offering free housing in exchange for volunteering for rescued cats on the island of Syros, where more than 3,000 street cats live.

Who is organizing this initiative?

The action is coordinated by the charity Syros Cats, which has been active in rescuing and caring for abandoned cats on the island since the 1990s. The organization maintains shelters, feeding areas and constant veterinary care to address the age-old problem of stray cats in this tourist resort.

Volunteer Activities

Participants help five hours a day, five days a week. Tasks include:

- Feeding and watering cats

- Cleaning litter boxes and common areas

- Taking care of animal hygiene

- Assisting in administering medication

- Assisting in trapping feral cats

- Escorting sick or injured cats to the veterinarian

- Doing minor yard work

What they offer in addition to free accommodation

Volunteers receive free accommodation for a minimum period of one month. Each participant is entitled to their own room, while the kitchen, bathroom and living room are shared with two or three other volunteers. The organization also provides breakfast and covers the cost of water, electricity and gas. Transportation to the island, lunch and dinner remain the responsibility of each volunteer.

The ideal profile of candidates

Syros Cats is looking for physically fit, healthy, independent and mature people. Experience with cats, especially feral cats, increases the likelihood of selection. Those who have worked as veterinary assistants are also more likely to be selected.

The organization indicates that applicants under 25 are less likely to be approved because they do not always show the required level of independence. Cohabitation is multicultural: only four volunteers are accepted at a time, mostly from different countries.

How to apply and important rules

Unfortunately, the positions for 2026 have already been filled due to the very high level of interest. We encourage you to follow the organization's social media for future vacancies.

Applicants are required to submit a form with a motivation letter and a summary of previous experience in cat care. Volunteers from outside the EU must comply with Schengen area rules, which limit stays to three months within a six-month period. Travel insurance is also recommended for those who do not have valid health insurance within the EU.

Digital nomads and telecommuters are accepted, provided they have flexible working hours. People with children or pets cannot participate in the program.

(MP/©GreenMe.It/translation and adaptation: The Global Money/Illustration: Fedor via Unsplash)