Help an animal welfare organization on the beautiful Greek island of Amorgos

Details

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  Description

  We are a non-profit founded in 2007. Our project provides protection of animals and the environment, the creation of veterinary clinics on a free or low-cost basis, and providing education to promote humane treatment of animals. We also support the rescue and adoption of stray or abandoned cats and dogs.
  
  We operate a center and veterinary clinic located in Katapola, Amorgos, where many of our cats waiting for adoption live, as well as a stable for rescued equines and a shelter for abused and abandoned dogs.
  
  We are looking for help with the cats and dogs living in our shelter.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  Animal Care

  General Maintenance
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Our volunteers will first and foremost learn how to treat wounded and abused animals and what to do in cases of emergency. They will have the chance to assist in programs our shelter organizes, such as vaccinations and sterilizations, as well as cooperate with vets and local volunteers.
  Amorgos is a special island in the south Aegean Sea and its relatively isolated spot has made it retain its unique culture. Travelers will be able to meet locals and, if they choose to stay for long periods of time, they could blend in and learn all sorts of things about local customs and cuisine.

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  Help

  We are looking for someone who would be willing to help take care of the animals living in our shelter. At the moment, we are housing three dogs and several cats (some of them sick), as well as 1 horse, 2 mules and 2 donkeys.
  This includes walking, feeding and particularly cleaning, as it is essential for our animals to be in a clean and tidy environment.
  
  We are looking for people who can stay for a minimum of three weeks (strictly), would work 5 days per week, and be willing to spend 3 hours with the animals each day. Some experience with animals would be helpful but not required.
  
  Volunteers must be sensitive towards animals, however a certain toughness is required, as many of the cats we take care of are very sick, and one must be ready to face such situations in a calm and composed manner.
  
  Please feel free to contact us if you have any additional questions!

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  Languages spoken

  Greek: Fluent
  English: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  At the veterinary clinic there is a bedroom, kitchen and bathroom available for our volunteer.
  
  The room where the volunteer will stay is also the office of the program coordinator, so from 07:30 until 12:00 in the morning (except weekends) she will need to have access in the room. The rest hours the volunteer will have the room only for him/herself.
  
  Food is not provided, however there are kitchen facilities and utensils the volunteer can use.

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  What else ...

  Amorgos is a small island with white houses, crystal clear water and a peaceful atmosphere. It is one of the the easternmost islands of the Cyclades, located southeast of Naxos, northeast of Ios and north of Anafi. The coastline is 112 kilometres. Amorgos is generally mountainous, rocky and rough, with very few residents and high hills and mountains, the highest are Mt Krikello (826 m) and Mt Saint Elias (648 m).
  
  Most people are engaged in agriculture, fisheries and shipping. The few products of Amorgos are cereals, wine, oil, figs and tobacco. All are excellent especially the tobacco and beans, which are in demand. Also fine are the dairy products. In recent years, the beauty of Amorgos is attracting more and more Greeks and foreign tourists.
  
  Amorgos is by no means a commercialized island, though, and it is truly an excellent place for relaxing. Its rather harsh, mountainous surroundings are beautiful in a clean and dramatic way, and in the valleys there are hundreds of flowers and trees.
  
  Even though it is a very small island, there are quite a few things to see. The locals are very friendly and they are working hard to make the island look its best at the beginning of each season.
  
  What to See: Rent a car or a bike and visit the small villages. The capital, Chora, is a very quiet village with about 500 inhabitants. It is situated high up in the mountains, and the road is long and winding. You'll have to park outside Chora. Even though it is so small, there is quite a few little taverns and cafes. This is truly a place where the time has stopped, and thanks to local regulations, the architecture is kept in the traditional style. There is a church attached to the cliff, and the locals are also proud to have Greece's smallest church here—with room for only three!!! There is also a museum as well as a Venetian Citadel from the 13th century.
  
  Katapola is a village next to the sea with lovely little fish taverns along the harbour. You'll see fish trying to get some bread in the crystal waters and there is a tiny beach here. From here you can get to the monastery Chozoviotissa which definitely is worth visiting. According to tradition it was built in the 9th century after a ship had sunk just outside Amorgos carrying an icon of the Virgin Mary, or Panagia (all saint) as she is called in Greek. With a little luck the monks will offer you some local liqueur. To get to Chozoviotissa you'll have to climb many steps.
  
  The ancient capital of the island, Minoa, is situated on a high cliff above Katapola. There are still ruins there from classical and Roman times.
  
  Aegiali is a pretty village built on a thin strip between the mountain and the sea. There are few shops, cafes and taverns here worth a visit.
  
  The village Potamos is built just above Aegiali, and the two villages pretty much seem like one. In Potamos you can stroll around in the little winding streets that were built that way to confuse the pirates.
  
  What to Do: The snorkelling in Amorgos is great, especially at Mourou beach but also at Agia Anna. You can also enjoy long walks through the harsh but impressive nature. A lot of people like fishing here, and there are various donkey rides offered. If you are in Amorgos during July and August, there are several traditional cultural festivals that taking place during the celebrations of several local saints with the participation of the locals. They will cook traditional foods of Amorgos that later will be offered to the attendants after the blessing from the priest.

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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 possibly accept pets

  This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  One

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  Hours expected

  3 hours/day, 5 days/week

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