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15 Jul 2025
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Hello my name is Vaso, I live in Gargalianoi Messinia Greece in the Western Peloponnese region. I have a shelter where I rescue dogs and cats, I am very close to the town in Gargalianoi Messinias . Messinia. I am 5 km from the beaches of the beautiful Marathopolis an area accessible by local bus.
Gargalianoi is larger town and Kalamata is 70km distance with a small international airport)
The local Ktel buses link to my town Gargalianoi and Kalamata . Marathopolis is about 5 km away and here is a beach resort area very beautiful.
We have olive fields, some of the disused land I dedicated to my rescue work and built two shelters to house all my rescued dogs.
On the shelter grounds I have a very comfortable caravan where you will stay set up nicely with facilities . Food provided.
The shelter is in the beautiful olive farm areas outside my town . I live in the town but all of my day is dedicated to caring for the 65 dogs and 40 cats I have at my shelter. Where you will stay is the dog shelter. I have 2 sections for the shelters and you will stay at the first section . The second area is a few minutes away. The dogs are split over these two areas. I also feed the stray cats at the local cemetery each night. I’m their only lifeline.
I do not speak English only Greek but I am sure through google translate we can communicate.
Those that love animals and want to help them, we will connect through this and the language barrier will not be a problem.
I could really do with 5 hours help a day 5 days . I feed the dogs in the early evening as this has been their routine all their lives at the shelter. But there are other chores during the day too.
You will help feeding and cleaning and helping me get animals to the vet. Social media skills would be great as I run a facebook page with helpers from Melbourne Australia , Helen Stefanou and June Cooke from England but they need me to take better pictures and videos for the shelter Facebook page and Facebook group . So help in photos will be appreciated. It’s all charity work and my shelter is a registered nonprofit. The shelter is run solely on donations from good people . Helen and June visit each year . Maybe you will meet them on your volunteer trip.
If you feel you want to visit my town and you love animals I would love to have you visit .
Criteria
Over 25
Stay minimum 2 weeks
Be prepared to be flexible
Duties will include feeding, cleaning, poop scooping,cleaning and filling water buckets, help with visits to vets, daily shopping of foods, tidying the shelter, any skills of carpentry welcome and handy person jobs, veterinary, animal care and more. Or just plain love animals. And most importantly interacting with my beautiful animals. There are 2 cats that live at the dog shelter and sleep in the caravan . My other shelter cats live at my home for now . I want to one day to transfer them to their own space at the shelter.
In Greece there is no animal welfare program. There are no dog pounds no rspca, spca or other funded agencies that help animals as in other countries. The local municipality has no program to take in and house stray animals. It’s private citizens such as myself that take on saving strays using our own resources money and time. We are the unofficial animal welfare system of Greece and survive in the kindness of our followers to support us. There is much abuse and cruelty in Greece towards animals and the people have a very indifferent attitude towards animals. 4 million strays in Greece and growing. In your country you would not see strays left on the streets to fend for themselves. You would have a system in place by your government and local councils .
You will also please communicate with Helen during your stay via email or messenger.
Looking forward to seeing you!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Help with Computers/ Internet
Interests
Animals
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Animal welfare . we grow Olives so visit and see the orchard. My town is mainly locals and a big regional town 5000 population with everything you need pharmacies doctors restaurants shops hardware taxis bus service to Athens and Kalamata nearest main city and my town is close to Marathopolis a seaside holiday area and KTEL buses link to Messinia and Kalamata so plenty to do and see. In my town you will mingle with the authentic Greece .
Help
Cleaning the animal shelter, feeding, walking and helping dogs socialize with people Help with vet visits Improve the shelter in anyway possible and social media skills.
Languages spoken
Greek: Fluent
Accommodation
A well set up caravan situated on the shelter grounds in a beautiful olive field. Food will be provided.
What else ...
I am close to the town I can help direct you around the town, there are many local cafes tavernas in my town and many sights and beautiful beach just 5 km away and tourist destinations and there is transport in the town.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
