The image depicts a man with dark hair and tattoos holding a black and white puppy, with the man\'s face close to the puppy\'s face.
The image depicts two dogs standing on a wooden platform, with one dog leaning in to nuzzle the other\'s nose, set against a natural outdoor backdrop.
The image features two dogs standing on wooden planks, with one dog\'s mouth open and the other looking to the left, set against a blurred background.
A woman is petting two dogs, one large and one small, in a fenced yard. The dogs are medium-sized with short hair and are likely a mix breed. The yard is well-maintained.
The image depicts a man standing outdoors, feeding a treat to a white dog with his arm raised, set against a picturesque sunset backdrop.
The image depicts a German Shepherd dog wearing an FBI harness, standing on a dirt path with grass and trees in the background, facing the camera.
A young woman is being kissed by two dogs in front of a building with a door and a sign that says \"CLOTHES\".
The image depicts a small room with bunk beds, a window, and various furniture, possibly a hostel or dormitory, with a cozy and functional atmosphere.
The image depicts a man sitting on a blue chair with two dogs in a room featuring light blue tiles and white walls, with a trash can visible in the background.
The image depicts a man sitting in a chair, surrounded by balloons, with two dogs on his lap and one beside him, in a cluttered room with a concrete floor.
The image depicts a small, brown dog with floppy ears lying on its side, gazing directly at the camera, set against a plain background. The dog\'s fur is light brown in color.
The image depicts a man standing in a field with a dog on a leash, wearing a black tank top and shorts, with sunglasses on his head and a water bottle in hand.
The image features a tan dog with floppy ears standing on a wooden platform, set against a blurred background of trees and a blue sky with white clouds.
updated   Last minute

Join our animal rescue in Crete, Greece

Profile information

  • rating

    Host is looking for help immediately

  • rating

    Host rating

    100 %

  • Last replied

    Last replied

    14 Dec 2025

  • Reply rate

    Reply rate

    100.0 %

    Usually responds within 1 day

  • feedbacks

    Feedback

    73

  • Email verified

    Email verified

Country info

If you are not an EU Citizen and planning to visit Greece to work, volunteer or study, YOU WILL NEED THE CORRECT VISA. To find out more information please contact the embassy in your home country BEFORE travelling.

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Availability

  2025 

 Min stay requested: at least 3 weeks

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What's this?

Details

  • Description

    Description

    READ OUR PROFILE CAREFULLY TO MAKE SURE IT SUITS YOU — WE CAN PROMISE A REWARDING EXPERIENCE AND FRIENDS FOR LIFE!

    We are an animal rescue shelter in Crete, Greece, caring for over 300 dogs who need our love and support. Our beautiful dogs have been given a second chance at life, rescued from streets or difficult environments where they faced hunger, abuse, and neglect. Here, they enjoy a safe and caring home.

    The shelter is run by Nikos, who since 2013 has dedicated his life to rescuing dogs and improving their welfare. We rely on the support of passionate volunteers to help us continue this mission.

    We are a non-profit animal rescue, and to help cover volunteer food we ask for a small fee of:
    • €5 per day

    This contribution is not a profit, but helps us keep the sanctuary running and provide care for our 300 dogs.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Charity Work
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
  • Interests

    Interests

    Pets
    Farming
    Charity work
    Gardening
    Carpentry
    DIY & crafts
    Animals
    Camping
    Outdoor activities
    Nature
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Ideas and skills are very much encouraged. Skills can be in construction, gardening, growing vegetables, picking olives, animal welfare, playing, walking and spending time with the dogs, any social media skills, building work, building fences and kennels.

  • Charity

    Registered charity

    This host is a registered charity in their country and is looking for volunteers to help with their project(s).

  • Help

    Help

    We are looking for passionate volunteers to help with the day-to-day running of our animal shelter, which cares for over 300 dogs. The main tasks for volunteers are cleaning the dogs’ living areas, feeding them, and helping with socialization. Socializing the dogs is an important part of their rehabilitation, as many come from difficult environments and need time, attention, and affection to regain trust in humans. Volunteers may also help with general maintenance around the property, improving enclosures, and assisting with housekeeping.

    We provide accommodation and basic groceries for your daily meals. Please note that we do not provide cooked meals, so volunteers are expected to prepare their own. All necessary cooking facilities and basic supplies are available, and volunteers can bring or provide additional items for special dietary needs if required.

    Caring for the dogs is very time-consuming and does not follow a regular schedule. Their needs are unpredictable and can change daily. Dogs must be fed at least once daily, given fresh water twice daily, and their living areas cleaned at least every 24 hours. Cleaning involves removing waste from enclosures — a task that can be physically demanding, but also extremely rewarding, as our dogs are affectionate, playful, and thrive on attention from volunteers.

    Maintenance tasks include repairing fences, maintaining enclosures, and building new dog houses. Some dogs occasionally damage their enclosures in attempts to escape, so staying alert and helping address these situations quickly is important. This can happen at any time of the day or night, though often early in the morning.

    Volunteers also help manage food supplies, keeping track of stock levels and ensuring that all dogs, including those with special dietary requirements, have the right food available.

    Overall, volunteering with us requires flexibility, patience, and a love for animals. Life at the shelter can be physically demanding, emotionally rewarding, and incredibly fulfilling. Taking care of our dogs is time-consuming, but your efforts in cleaning, feeding, and socializing them directly contribute to their well-being and rehabilitation, giving them the love and care they deserve.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    Greek: Fluent
    English: Fluent

    This host offers a language exchange
    This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
    You can contact them directly for more information.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Volunteer Houses

    We currently have three volunteer houses at the shelter, designed to host those who want to help our rescue dogs.
    • Accommodation: Each room can host up to two volunteers, except for one room which can host three. Two of the houses include a kitchen and two bathrooms with toilets and showers. The third house, is currently under renovation and does not yet have a toilet.
    • Living conditions: Our living arrangements are primitive, with power provided through solar panels, and at the moment we do not have a fridge (in the summer we use a cooler box). One house has a large living area, while the other two are more basic and smaller.

    With over 300 rescue dogs, we do our best to keep the houses clean, welcoming, and comfortable, but please understand that our accommodations are not high standard. Volunteers are encouraged to help maintain the spaces, contributing to a safe and pleasant environment for everyone.

    We are also working on establishing a new volunteer house, which will provide additional space and improved facilities for our growing volunteer community.

    Staying in our volunteer houses is a unique opportunity to live close to the dogs, be part of the rescue work, and immerse yourself in a hands-on, meaningful experience.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    Around you is nature and tranquility. Kalo Chorio (Taverne, Cafe) is 1 km away. It's near Gouves (3.5km away from the shelter) . Keep in mind that without a car, it is not much easy to move around! You can always ask to get a ride to Gouves, and we will try our best to arrange it.

    To get to the shelter you can take the bus to Gouves from the main bus station in Heraklion(approximately 30' minutes ride), from Gouves to the shelter the transfer can be arranged from us!

    The shelter is on the countryside so keep in mind that there will be rats and wasps around. But the rats leave the people and their stuff and food alone and the wasps are mostly there in high summer.

    A solar charger or a power bank for charging your mobile phone is helpful, although the phone can also be charged in the volunteer house.
    Contact us for accurate information.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    This host can provide space for campervans.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • My animals / pets

    My animals / pets

  • ...

    This host charges a fee

    read more
    5 EUR/day to cover the cost of food
Host ref number: 798957627257

Website Safety

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Photos

The image depicts a man with dark hair and tattoos holding a black and white puppy, with the man\'s face close to the puppy\'s face.
The image depicts two dogs standing on a wooden platform, with one dog leaning in to nuzzle the other\'s nose, set against a natural outdoor backdrop.
The image features two dogs standing on wooden planks, with one dog\'s mouth open and the other looking to the left, set against a blurred background.
A woman is petting two dogs, one large and one small, in a fenced yard. The dogs are medium-sized with short hair and are likely a mix breed. The yard is well-maintained.
The image depicts a man standing outdoors, feeding a treat to a white dog with his arm raised, set against a picturesque sunset backdrop.
The image depicts a German Shepherd dog wearing an FBI harness, standing on a dirt path with grass and trees in the background, facing the camera.
A young woman is being kissed by two dogs in front of a building with a door and a sign that says \"CLOTHES\".
The image depicts a small room with bunk beds, a window, and various furniture, possibly a hostel or dormitory, with a cozy and functional atmosphere.
 Show all photos
The image depicts a man sitting on a blue chair with two dogs in a room featuring light blue tiles and white walls, with a trash can visible in the background.
The image depicts a man sitting in a chair, surrounded by balloons, with two dogs on his lap and one beside him, in a cluttered room with a concrete floor.
The image depicts a small, brown dog with floppy ears lying on its side, gazing directly at the camera, set against a plain background. The dog\'s fur is light brown in color.
The image depicts a man standing in a field with a dog on a leash, wearing a black tank top and shorts, with sunglasses on his head and a water bottle in hand.
The image features a tan dog with floppy ears standing on a wooden platform, set against a blurred background of trees and a blue sky with white clouds.

Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host

+33

Feedback

These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.

Accuracy of profile:
(4.8)

Cultural exchange:
(4.8)

Communication:
(4.7)

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