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30 Oct 2024
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Currently we are looking for a responsible volunteer for a minimum of a month or more from 10th December. A rare vacancy at Syros Cats, as we are usually over subscribed - an opportunity to spend the Christmas season among cat-lovers on a Greek island. If you are under 25, you are unlikely to have the experience, self sufficiency or maturity we need. If you'd like to apply for next year, we will make selections in January for the first part of 2025. We appreciate that plans change, so even if you have already contacted us, please do reapply if you would like to be considered for next year. Please be patient with us, we are always oversubscribed! We give priority to returning volunteers, over 25s and those with shelter, vet nurse, fostering or TNR experience.
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Non smokers and experienced manual drivers preferred. Please read full profile and do not apply unless you can stay for at least a month.
Remember if you travel on a non European passport, you will be limited to 90 days in any rolling 180 day period within the whole of the Schengen zone.
We have 60 plus rescue cats which keep us busy, so need people who are motivated and have initiative to notice what needs doing and engage with the project. I like to have volunteers who are over 25 who can stay for at least a month. There is a lot of cage and litter tray cleaning as well as the nicer aspects of cat care. We need to clean to a high standard as we often have sick cats and must be careful to prevent cross infection. So you need to be tidy, self motivated and have an eye for detail.
Syros is a different Greek island. Things happen here all year, so there's always plenty going on and although it's not so warm here in the winter, there are many mild and sunny days.
I try to have three or four volunteers at any one time, so the work is not too time-consuming or onerous and everyone can take some time off. Animal care is relentless - the cats want to be fed every day! I'm trying to be more savvy with social media, but we need to raise funds all the time, so if you have these skills it would be good.
I am British, a retiree from a lifetime in education and live in Syros; a small Greek island. I feed and care for a colony of around sixty stray cats. The numbers of strays on the island is ever growing and they are seen as a pest by some locals. Consequently many of the cats have a hard time. To address the problem, I set up, a not for profit organisation in Greece (and now also registered charity in UK #1207145) to neuter, rescue and medicate strays. Many of the cats in the colony were abandoned kittens that we have hand-reared or victims of accidents. I grow lavender and make lavender bags to raise money for food, medication and veterinary fees, the products are given as a thank you for donations. So there's always plenty to do and we need some help!Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity WorkArt ProjectsGardeningDIY and building projectsAnimal CareGeneral MaintenanceHouse sittingCultural exchange and learning opportunities
You will be living in a traditional Greek village that does not have much foreign tourism and experience a rural way of life that is rapidly disappearing. The main town of Hermoupolis has a lot of cultural activities; museums, small art galleries, a cinema, theatre, shops and cafes as well as beautiful neo-classical buildings from a former affluent industrial age. There is nice walking on the island and good swimming locally. If you wish you can learn some Greek - many of the older villagers do not speak English.
Help
We care for around 60 cats and need help with the daily feeding, care and cleaning regime. There are lots of litter trays! Each morning every area is sanitised, swept and mopped. Some cats stay inside overnight and require medication before going out. Others who are sick might stay indoors so you must pay attention to notice boards to ensure the cats stay where they are supposed to. We maintain the grounds - sweeping and weeding. We buy 10-20kg bags of cat food and litter so you need to be reasonably fit. You might struggle with the physicality of the work if you have knee or back problems. We also feed 70 plus cats in the village each morning. This task is for an experienced driver with an eye for detail as we are monitoring the health of the cats, maintaining the cat feeders and looking out for new 'unfixed cats'. We grow lavender and make lavender bags and toys, so if you have art or sewing skills help would be appreciated. Sometimes we collect lavender from friends' gardens, which has to be dried and processed. We also have collecting tins around the island. Help is usually four hours in the morning (including stopping midmorning for breakfast) and about an hour in the evening. You can take a full day off each week and some evenings. You will have lots of free time. I am looking for self starters with initiative. Previous experience with cats would be a bonus. It's not a holiday but if you identify with this profile I'm sure like many previous workawayers who have left positive feedback and returned to us, you will enjoy your time here and have a meaningful experience of Greek island life and Animal rescue.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
I live in a traditional Greek village house in a small village and on bus route (sparse buses in winter!) to main town in about twenty minutes. Also access to a sunny walled garden. Sometimes it’s possible to take two friends who prefer separate bedrooms. The small house I'm offering is really only suitable for one, or very cosy for a couple! Bed linen and towels are provided. You need old clothes for working and we have plenty to spare that you can borrow. Wi-Fi is available. Volunteers eat breakfast together which is provided and also serves as a team meeting. You make other meals independently. Often we cook for each other if people want to share. The village has about 300 year round inhabitants. The beach is about ten minutes walk and there is a mini market and a few tavernas and bars. Even in the winter something is usually open. If you stay in the main house with me I provide food but help with cooking and cleaning up is appreciated!
What else ...
Task would suit volunteers who are animal lovers and would like to make a difference to animal welfare in Greece. Would suit anyone trained or about to train in veterinary science, veterinary nursing or animal husbandry and who are not afraid of handling feral cats - protective clothing provided! Volunteers will be meeting many people and help with the local vets, so people skills will be important too. Non-smokers preferred. Probably not suitable for under 25s - but you might be able to persuade me otherwise. It's a simple life on the island and would probably suit someone who likes to paint, draw, read or write in their spare time.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have good Internet and you would have your own small but self contained space to work. But we do need your help on site between 8.00 and 12 each morning and for an hour before sunset each evening. If your remote work hours clash with our core working hours we cannot host you. Days off vary but can be flexible.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 25 hours / week
Feedback (34)
- did art work in the sanctuary which is weathering very well almost a year later (Ben)
- fantastic deep cleaning and made lovely marketing materials which are still in use (Sierra)
They were lovely company and… read more
We were fed well, had great accommodation, and plenty of free time to spend at the beach!
Ben and I would 100% recommend this experience to anyone… read more
Emma spent 2 months here and we have already invited her back in the autumn. Emma had a great attitude and quickly learned the cat’s routine. Her previous care background shows in her maturity, ability to clean to a high standard, see what needs to be done without being asked and… read more
During my stay I unfortunately didn't get to meet Jacky, but that will be… read more
Photos
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(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(5.0)
- did art work in the sanctuary which is weathering very well almost a year later (Ben)
- fantastic deep cleaning and made lovely marketing materials which are still in use (Sierra)
They were lovely company and… read more
We were fed well, had great accommodation, and plenty of free time to spend at the beach!
Ben and I would 100% recommend this experience to anyone… read more
Emma spent 2 months here and we have already invited her back in the autumn. Emma had a great attitude and quickly learned the cat’s routine. Her previous care background shows in her maturity, ability to clean to a high standard, see what needs to be done without being asked and… read more
During my stay I unfortunately didn't get to meet Jacky, but that will be… read more
He volunteered in 2023 for a month in between 2 marathons in Greece. His determination in training on the tough terrain of Syros was impressive to watch! He was an excellent volunteer and we were delighted to have him return this winter.
He volunteered this time for 2.5… read more
This is an amazing organisation in its own right and the work they do makes a huge difference to the lives of the street cats in Kini and any cat in need across the island. This workaway let me… read more
I’ve met so many wonderful people and the atmosphere of the place is really special. Jacky is very friendly and welcoming. And Jo is, besides being on top of it all like a boss, just very funny and easy to get along… read more
The work they do there is really wonderful.
Thank you very much Jackie and all the volunteers who made my stay in Syros a valuable memory.
I wish you all the best and I hope I can come back in the future!
Regards!
Jacky and Jo are very welcoming and easy to work with and get along with. If you love cats, it's the best place. Each cat is happy and incredibly well looked after by the team.
The working hours… read more
We had such a wonderful two months at this place, and I really truly miss it now that I'm home.
The whole experience was amazing, and the work is exactly as described. If you come with the right attitude and work ethic, and really want to get involved, you are sure to love your time here.
Jacky… read more
You will be required to work for 2/3 hours in the morning and approximately 1 hour in the evening. The work consists basically in feeding the cats, cleaning their litter trays and cages, giving them their medication and keeping the shelter nice and clean. You will be encouraged… read more
If Covid-19 didn't come, I would have stayed there as long as possible.
*What Workawayers do: Work is simple and easy.
You'll feed cats, clean kennels/litterbox, and sometimes you can do a catwalk or groom cats in the mornings and the late afternoons.
You will have plenty of private time.
*Stay: Jackie's… read more
I spent a lovely two weeks on Syros with Jackie, the cats and other volunteers. The work was very easy and quite laid back compared to most workaways I've been on, consisting of feeding (and cuddling) the moggies, and cleaning out their litter trays each day, and also a little painting and… read more
Kini is a small village with not much going on - perfect for someone looking for a break from a big city like us!
We spent only a few hours a day ‘working’ (you have to not be afraid to get your hands dirty... lots of cats = lots of cat poo!!) and… read more
This was my first Workaway! I won’t forget the people I’ve met here - Linda, whom I interacted with the most as Jacquie was away during the majority of my stay, the other volunteers I’ve had the pleasure to exchange some good laughs and good self-reflection talks with, and, of course, the amazing… read more
Jacky is a fantastic host and we felt right at home immediately. There were other volunteers there at the same time as us and we developed great… read more
Best wishes
Jacky
The cats at the shelter are amazing, they are in a… read more
I stayed at Jacky's for almost three months!! I applied only for two weeks, but everything was perfect for me, so I extended my stay many times! First of all, Jacky is a great host, really warm hearted, very easy going, respectful to volunteers and anyone...… read more