Rural animal sanctuary seeking committed Workawayers who value simple living and quiet nature in Kyparissia, Greece

Informationen

• 

  Beschreibung

  🐾 About the Place
  This is a small, privately founded animal sanctuary in rural Greece (Peloponnese), currently operating as a pilot project under our NGO - our main topic is human-animal-relationship and ONE HEALTH - we are not a normal animal rescue or shelter working with TNR or commercial adoptions.
  
  We are located:
  300 m up a mountain road
  2.5 km from the Ionian Sea
  no direct neighbors
  no nightlife
  no public transport
  quiet, rural, sometimes isolated
  
  This is a place of simplicity, responsibility and daily routine — not a holiday location.
  >>>News: next free slot starts February 2027 open end
  
  🐶 The Animals
  We currently care for:
  7 cats living in the volunteer house (free-roaming)
  6 cats in the main house (no volunteer responsibility)
  several semi-feral cats occasionally needing feeding and care
  2 herding dogs
  1 hunting dog prepairing for adoption
  1 mixed-breed dog preparing for adoption will leave on 1st of June
  occasional village dogs requiring food
  wildlife passing by (turtles, birds, etc.)
  
  So from June 2026 onwards the volunteer task is to care for 10 animals - 3 dogs and 7 cats. As animals need care 7 days a week. There are no “days off from responsibility.” Work-life balance is more sustainable if you apply as a couple, siblings, or close friends. As workaway rules now force us to give days off, we cannot provide the highly favoured single volunteer opportunites any longer. Though Greece legally has a 6 day working week, workaway demands that we give 2 day off per week.
  
  🏠 Accommodation
  You will live in our 50 sqm olive grove house:
  sleeping room (now shared)
  main room with small kitchen (now shared)
  bathroom with washing machine (now shared)
  sun terrace (now shared)
  garden
  
  Rules preset by workaway:
  Days off are seen obligatory by workaway now. So we need to accomodate two volunteers, and facilities have to be shared. If you would prefer private and single accomodation, animal and garden care would be daily which current workaway rules sadly do not allow us to offer anymore.
  This is simple rural living. No luxury, but peaceful nature and quiet.
  
  🥗
  You can choose between full allowences for vegan food and 25 h/week active manual work for the project or partially take care of food yourself and work less hours/week. 25 h+ equal 3 mediterranean style meals, 20 h equal 2 and 15 h equal 1 meal.
  Playing and bonding with animals is not considered work it is what you get as a gift here and will not be able to experience in a shelter with 50+ or more animals the same way.
  The same applies for education and knowledge you can get here: this is my work and a gift to you and not considered your work.
  
  ⏳ Duration & Planning
  Minimum stay: 6 weeks
  Preferred stay: 3–6 months
  
  We plan long-term and are usually booked 4–6 months in advance.
  Short-notice stays are rarely possible.
  We do not offer short tourist-style placements.
  
  🛠 What You Will Do
  Daily animal care:
  may include cooking for animals (you need to be able to touch meat)
  feeding
  cleaning
  hygiene
  monitoring health
  occasional treatments
  
  Plus depending on skills and interest:
  gardening / irrigation (important)
  DIY / painting / maintenance
  photography & social media
  documentation of each animal
  
  There is always physical work (carry a bag of dry food for example). There is always responsibility.
  
  👤 Who This Is Suitable For
  This project is ideal for:
  emotionally stable adults 25+
  veterinary students / nurses
  people with medical or social background
  experienced animal owners
  couples ready to work as a team and alone
  people comfortable with silence and self-organization
  retired persons in good health condition (mental and physical)
  
  Not suitable for:
  party seekers
  short-term travelers
  people needing constant social interaction
  people who struggle with structure or responsibility
  single travellers who want/need 2 days off and have single accomodation
  couples, siblings or friends who want days off the same time
  
  🧠 Important Personal Qualities
  We expect:
  honesty
  reliability
  independence
  emotional maturity
  non-violent communication
  cleanliness and hygiene awareness
  You must be able to manage your own household.
  
  If you are the only volunteer here, we will rely on you - this applies for people who by choice want to be here alone and use the volunteer house for themselves exclusively and want to do arrangements with our NGO accordingly.
  
  I am living in my own house with 6 additional cats (my own responsibility), 25 m from the volunteer house 365 days/year. I am available on daily base without taking days off per week.
  
  🚫 House Rules
  non-smoking
  no drugs
  no excessive alcohol
  no unannounced guests
  presence at night required (animal care)
  
  We conduct a mandatory video call before confirming any stay.
  
  🌿 What We Offer
  a quiet healing environment
  deep contact with animals 🌿 compassion. connection. coherence, is our slogan
  meaningful responsibility
  space for reflection
  simple living close to nature
  transfer of knowledge in animal care and resilience
  insight into NGO and sanctuary management
  
  Trainings/Information we offer for those who are interested and work at least 25 h per week and stay longer than 6 weeks:
  * Heartratevariability based resilience training including 6 x 90 min knowledge transfer (worth 750 €)
  * wound treatment and basic medication application
  * natural treatment possibilities including herbal medicine and homeopathy
  * knowledge about diseases and pathology in dogs and cats
  
  
  🔍 If You Apply
  Please answer:
  Why do you want to stay 6 weeks to 6 months?
  Have you lived in rural isolation before?
  How do you handle emotional stress?
  What skills can you realistically contribute?
  What are you looking for — honestly?
  Do you know how to handle and feed dogs and cats, did you work with animals before?
  Are you suffering from allergies? Are there any medical conditions or permanent medications we need to know of?
  Do you really love and appreciate animals especially dogs and cats?
  Are you looking for a onetime experience or do you want to stay in contact for further volunteering?
  
  Applications without thoughtful answers will not be considered.

• 

  Arten von Hilfe und Lernmöglichkeiten

  Karitative Arbeit

  Gartenarbeiten

  Heimwerker- und Bauarbeiten

  Betreuung von Tieren

  Hausarbeiten

  Handwerkliche Arbeiten

  Hilfe mit Computer /Internet
• 

  Interessengebiete

  

  Natur

  

  Strand

  

  Gärtnern

  

  Schreiben

  

  Gartenarbeiten

  

  Bücher

  

  Tiere

  

  Vegetarier / Veganer

  

  Nachhaltigkeit

  

  Haustiere

  

  Selbstentwicklung

  

  Karitative Arbeiten
• 

  UNO-Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung, die dieser Gastgeber verfolgt

  ...

  ...

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  Was ist das?
• 

  Kultureller Austausch und Lernmöglichkeiten

  🌍 Cultural Exchange & Learning
  Life here offers a deep connection to nature, animals and a slower rhythm of living.
  
  This is a quiet rural environment. It suits people who appreciate:
  silence
  natural surroundings
  sea and sunsets
  simplicity
  self-reflection
  
  As a veterinarian with more than 30 years of experience, I am happy to share knowledge in:
  animal care and taming
  basic medical observation
  working with former stray animals
  resilience and stress regulation
  sustainable living in rural areas
  
  You may also gain insight into how a small NGO operates and how animal welfare projects are built step by step.
  
  We live simply and consciously. Shared meals are occasional rather than daily, and volunteers are expected to organize their own food independently thatfore you will get your allowences according to your real working time.
  
  🌿 The Surroundings
  The area is rural and quiet.
  
  There are:
  small villages
  beautiful coastline
  simple tavernas
  archaeological sites in driving distance
  
  There are no festivals, nightlife or urban activities nearby.
  Athens is approximately a 4-hour drive.
  This environment is ideal for people who enjoy nature and do not need constant stimulation.
  
  Wildlife is part of rural Greece (including jackals, reptiles and insects), as in many Mediterranean regions.
  
  🌿 Please Note
  This is not a retreat center or a social hub.
  It is a working sanctuary in a remote area.
  
  If you are looking for parties, constant social interaction or urban life, this place is not suitable.
  If you value nature, responsibility and quiet living, you may feel very comfortable here.

• 

  Arbeit

  🕰 Typical Autumn / Spring Daily Rhythm - this is a proven, recommended routine (no demand) - this schedule does not indicate that work is more than 3 hours a day. It only indicates the rhythm that is proven and suggested.
  
  Life here follows a natural daily rhythm based on animal needs and daylight.
  
  Morning
  Tasks start latest 7:30 – feeding 7 cats , fresh water, cleaning bowls, walking and feeding 3 dogs (approx 1.5 h)
  Short daily check-in with Marie-Anne around 10 am to answer your questions (this is teatime not work)
  Due to temperatures we suggest that you do the work you agreed on in the forenoon so that you are finished with everything including keeping the volunteer house clean latest noon.
  
  Evening
  Tasks start usually 17:00 (in August 19:00, in Dezember 16:00) – watering the garden, walking the dogs, feeding the dogs and cats (approx 1.5 h)
  
  Before sleeping: short check of the dogs (one guard dog moves freely at night). 3-5 min work.
  
  🌿 Important to Understand
  Animal and garden care are daily responsibilities. If you want to take days off then please come with a friend, spouse or sibling or share the facilies with a second volunteer.
  
  It is shared living with animals and a possibility for you to try sustainable living and rural environment.
  The daily commitment is part of the experience of animal and plant care.
  
  The workload is very moderate but consistent. You are offered to talk to former volunteers if you wish to do so.
  Free time is mainly after noon and after evening feeding.
  
  🌿 Garden Responsibility
  Garden work is seasonal.
  In summer, watering can require attention and time.
  This is not automatic watering — it requires observation and care
  The volunteer house has a seperate garden if you wish to plant and harvest for yourself.
  
  🌿 Atmosphere
  This is a quiet place.
  
  There is:
  no TV
  no radio
  no nightlife
  There is internet, but silence is part of the experience.
  
  It suits people who enjoy:
  nature
  sea and sunsets
  reading
  writing
  painting
  yoga or quiet physical practice
  
  
  You should be comfortable spending time alone and managing your own emotional space.
  🚫 Do not apply if you are taking psychopharmaka or are diagnosed with a psychological condition
  🚫 Do not apply if you are diagnosed with asthma, leaky gut syndrom, immune disease or allergies
  🚫 Do not apply if you have no permanent address or health insurance
  🚫 Do not apply if you rely on us to finance your travel expenses
  🚫 Do not apply if you cannot handle your own household and keep the volunteer house clean
  🚫 Do not apply if you do not really love animals and do not want to closely interact
  
  🙈 Reading all this you might get the notion that we have been traumatized by previous volunteer experiences. Yes, that is true. And we are more careful now about applicants, informations, recommendations, promises and expectations.
  
  This is a workaway location not a holidayforfree location. You are supposed to spend time in the presence of the animals and to bond with them - you will get a lot of healing energy in exchange.

• 

  Sprachen

  Gesprochene Sprachen
  Deutsch: Fließend
  Englisch: Fließend
  Greek: Gute Kenntnisse
  Spanisch: Grundkenntnisse
  Italienisch: Grundkenntnisse

  Dieser Gastgeber bietet Sprachaustausch an
  My name is Marie-Anne. I am a retired Bavarian veterinarian with more than 30 years of experience in animal care and integrative medicine. I founded this sanctuary after moving to Greece, driven by the desire to create a small, structured place where animals are treated with dignity and consistency. Besides animal care, I work in resilience training and focus on sustainable human–animal coexistence. This project combines practical responsibility with long-term vision.
• 

  Unterkunft

  🏕 Private bungalow for yourself - only if you are comfortable with 7 days per week responsibility
  
  You will stay in our 50 sqm guesthouse, which includes:
  now shared bathroom (with washing machine)
  now shared sleeping room
  now shared main living room with kitchen
  now shared sun terrace
  small garden area
  
  The house has:
  a wood stove for heating in winter (wood is provided)
  air conditioning for cooling in summer
  Please note: moderate use of electricity and water is included. Air conditioning use is not covered anymore due to high energy costs and would need to be arranged individually.
  
  The house will be professionally cleaned 4 times a year. During your stay you are responsible to keep it clean and leave it clean for the next volunteer to come.
  
  It is equipped with basic household items, including:
  bed linen
  towels
  kitchen equipment
  cleaning materials
  Basic household supplies such as bathroom essentials, kitchen tools, and general cleaning products.
  
  This is simple but comfortable rural living — not luxury accommodation. We live consciously and try to keep resource consumption reasonable.

• 

  Was noch ...

  🌍 Travel Information
  The sanctuary is located in Messinia (Peloponnese), rural southern Greece.
  
  ✈️ Arrival via Athens Airport (ATH)
  From Athens Airport take the train or metro to Kifisos Bus Station (KTEL main station).
  From there, direct buses to Kyparissia depart daily at approximately:
  07:45
  12:00
  15:30
  19:15
  (7 days a week – schedules may vary slightly, please check in advance.)
  
  ✈️ Arrival via Kalamata Airport (KLX)
  From Kalamata, buses to Kyparissia usually depart around:
  08:20
  14:30
  21:00
  (On Sundays connections may be limited.)
  
  🌿 The Region
  This region is called Messinia.
  
  It offers:
  wild and beautiful coastline
  olive groves and hills
  small villages
  simple tavernas
  archaeological sites within driving distance
  
  It does not offer:
  nightlife
  festivals
  large cities nearby
  
  This stay is suitable for people who enjoy nature, rural living and a slower rhythm.
  
  Wildlife is part of Mediterranean countryside life.
  If you are very uncomfortable around insects, reptiles or remote environments, this may not be the right place for you.
  
  🐾 About the Project
  This sanctuary is a small-scale, evolving project exploring sustainable and respectful animal welfare.
  
  Volunteers are encouraged to:
  interact with the animals responsibly
  document their development
  take photos
  contribute to storytelling
  
  We run active social media channels (YouTube, Telegram, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok).
  Basic social media awareness is helpful, though not mandatory.
  
  📱 Communication
  We maintain a WhatsApp Volunteer Group for coordination and information sharing.
  After acceptance, you will be added to the group so you can get to know the animals and the project before arrival.
  
  🌿 Important Note
  This place is best suited for people who:
  genuinely love animals (especially cats)
  understand natural animal behavior
  see animal care as responsibility, not entertainment
  have their own car and want to stay long term
  
  If you are looking primarily for tourism or light interaction with animals without daily commitment, this project is not suitable.

• 

  Etwas mehr Information

  • 

    Internet Zugang

  • 

    Eingeschränkter Internet Zugang

  • 

    Wir besitzen Tiere

  • 

    Wir sind Raucher

  • 

    Familien möglich

• 

  Kann Digital Nomads unterbringen

  🌿 Digital Nomads: We can host digital nomads — however, this is primarily an animal sanctuary, not a co-working space. Internet: The stationary internet connection in rural Greece can be unstable at times. We provide a mobile high-speed solution (100 GB/month) for essential work tasks. If you work remotely, please ensure: your workload does not interfere with daily animal care you can manage your time independently you are fully present for your responsibilities here Animal care and garden work always come first. This place is suitable for digital nomads who: work part-time or flexibly do not depend on constant high-bandwidth connections are comfortable with rural infrastructure It is not suitable for people requiring guaranteed fiber-level connectivity or full-time online presence.

• 

  Kapazität - wie viele Workawayer maximal

  zwei

• 

  Meine Tiere/Haustiere

  

  Chilling time

  

  Kennel time

  

  Feeding station

  

  Bonding time with Merlin

  

  Cats enjoying the wood stove

  

  Dogs prepairing for the night in the kennel

  

  Dogs on the Beach

  Caz and Kyra at the beach

  

  Felicitas (4 Jahren)

  Felicitas is a stray cat from the village who comes for food if she cannot manage on her own. She still needs to be neutered. So far nobody could catch her the right time .

  

  Joy (1 Jahr)

  Joy loves the house and to stay inside, She cuddles a lot and loves to sleep in the volunteer bed,

  

  Mercy (1 Jahr)

  Mercy is the tuxedo cat with the small mustache. She is friendly but very independent and likes to go for long hunts.

  

  Valerian (1 Jahr)

  Valerian is our Chief Rodent Manager. He loves cuddles and the wood stove in winter.

  

  Shamsi (4 Jahren)

  Shamsi is the tuxedo cat with the big black mustache. She is a real cat queen and loves to sleep in the volunteer bed.

  

  Kadima (7 Jahren)

  Kadima loves to be groomed. He likes to be outside on the veranda, do his hunting routine, and he is picky with food. Sometimes he needs assisted eating as he finds it hard to focus on his meals.

  

  Peter (7 Jahren)

  Peter is a very funny, independent and happy cat. he loves hunting and treats. He likes cuddles a lot.

  

  Kyra (3 Jahren)

  Kyra is a charming and friendly dog. Everyone's darling and ready for adoption.

  

  Cazadore (3 Jahren)

  Caz is a friendly but shy dog who loves routine and long walks. He is ready for adoption.

  

  Merlin (6 Jahren)

  Merlin is a higly traumatized dog with trust issues, He needs to be handled with care and patience.

  

  Juiette (7 Jahren)

  High ranking dog, loves children and the beach, heads the dog tribe. Sensitive stomach.

Website-Sicherheit

Chatte mit Workawayern, die diesen Gastgeber besucht haben

+20

Feedback (27)