Volunteering at a cat rescue on the Greek island of Syros.

Details

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  Description

  If you are under 25, you are unlikely to have the experience, self sufficiency or maturity we need. 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!

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Charity Work

  Art Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  General Maintenance

  House sitting
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  Cultural 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.

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  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.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent

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  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!

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  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.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  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.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 25 hours / week

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