On a Greek Island, Kind People Who Love Cats Will Be Offered Free Accommodation 0 8

The Greek island of Syros offers a unique opportunity for cat lovers and travelers: free accommodation in exchange for help in caring for animals.

The island, located in the heart of the Aegean Sea, is home to about 3,000 cats. The charity organization Syros Cats has been working for many years to regulate their population, perform sterilizations, and provide necessary care.

However, it should be noted that this is indeed a job. The Syros Cats organization accepts "prepared, mature, healthy, and independent" volunteers.

They are required to dedicate five days a week to five hours a day for feeding, cleaning, and cuddling rescued kittens.

In return, volunteers receive:

• free accommodation;

• free breakfasts;

• payment of utility bills.

The journey to the island and food expenses (lunches and dinners) are covered by the volunteers themselves.

Individuals with passports from non-EU countries should consider the Schengen zone rules, which limit stays on Syros to three months within a six-month period.

Having medical insurance valid in the EU is strongly recommended.

Who Will Care for the Cats

Specific duties include cleaning the pets' litter boxes, grooming, gardening, trapping stray cats, assisting in administering medications, and trips to the veterinarian with sick or unvaccinated animals.

Volunteers will also need to interact with visitors and conduct tours of the shelter grounds.

Candidates are expected to be independent as well as responsible. Preference is given to individuals with experience in veterinary care or with stray animals. Applications from individuals under 25 years old are considered less favorably.

The shelter accepts no more than four volunteers at a time, often from different countries. Therefore, candidates must be tolerant and accept differences in customs, race, gender, and beliefs.

Each volunteer is provided with a private bedroom, but the kitchen, bathroom, and common living room are shared among 2–3 people.

It is not surprising that there are many interested parties: applications for 2026 are currently closed.

However, the organization encourages all interested individuals to follow updates on their social media pages to not miss the next recruitment.