House-sit and care for our beloved rescue pets and feed stray cats in Amorgos, Greece

Detalhes

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  Descrição

  Pet and housesitting summer 2024 (would possibly be sharing with second volunteer) Preferably to start duties from beginning of July though should arrive about a week earlier. PLUS feeding and caring for feral cats,involving very early start 5.30 a.m.
  
  *** Minimum 1 month stay and if coming for the first time then you should arrive a week before we leave so around 23-25 June***
  
  ***Please only contact me if you can drive a manual car and feel confident in your driving skills as we have narrow roads,steep hills and sharp bends. For the feeding rounds which is the main duty , driving a manual is essential as we don't have an automatic. My jeep is old and NOT automatic.***
  
  ***Please note we will not host people who like to drink and go out partying or going round bars all night as it would be impossible to drive a vehicle so early in the morning and not put their lives and those of others in danger not to mention the stray cats ' lives as well . This placement is suited to those who prefer a solitary quiet way of life and are definitely capable of getting up before sunrise on a regular basis ***
  
  
  
  *** Need to have experience handling feral cats in case you need to give medication***
  
  I m from the UK,married to a Greek. We lead a quiet life.I am an ex Eng language teacher though still do part time seasonal exams work for Cambridge ESOL.My husband is a handyman,does all DIY and painting jobs and is a beekeeper as well. I have spent over 30 years here and been voluntarily feeding stray cat colonies and helping rescue dogs and finding good homes for them abroad. I' ve also cooperated with the local animal welfare organisation and help from time to time with some of their spaying and neutering projects. I used to be an active volunteer for many years ,helping with walking their rescued dogs. The island is really beautiful and very special but animals are neglected and considered mostly a nuisance or a pest,though things are definitely improving.

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  Tipos de ajuda e oportunidades de aprendizado

  Cuidar de animais

  Ajuda a cuidar da casa
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  Oportunidades de intercâmbio cultural e aprendizado

  The island is pretty unspoilt and the main village is picturesque and a typical example of traditional Cycladic architecture and offers a simple way of life.It offers the chance to experience how local islanders live..fishing and agriculture being the main livelihood after tourism during the high season. You can even learn local Greek island dancing or attend other events such as how to make local dishes.These take place outdoors in summer. The locals still support traditions strongly. The island has a network of mountain paths which makes it ideal for nature lovers.Small natural beaches are dotted all over the island, some only accessible on foot for those who prefer privacy and being away from the crowds.

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  Ajuda

  Total hours per day are approximately 3a day X 7 days a week as petsitting posts are full time but this includes prep for morning round,doing the round and our pet care. Every 3rd day there's an extra round to feed rural colonies so total per week is max 25. The main work is feeding the 150 street cats who wait at the feeding spots every morning,which you have to drive to around 5.30 a m .The pet sitting involves taking care of and walking our 6 yr old dog and feediing him and our house cat, plus 2 other cats in the yard. The house sitting involves keeping the house clean and well looked after,and occasionally watering the plants,once a week as they re mostly cacti 🌵. Doing the feeding rounds of the street cat colonies at various spots around the island is the most tasking part. Several years experience with house and pet sitting is essential and we MUST stress only mature responsible couples or individuals with a genuine love for dogs and cats should apply as this post requires a high level of dedication and responsibility plus the daily start before dawn isn't for everyone,but it isn't negotiable. .Some knowledge of basic vet care would be an advantage but not essential,though you should be able to handle nervous cats for example to give them meds when necessary. Experience of voluntary work in animal shelters or stray cats and dog rescue is a major advantage. Must be a super confident skilled driver as our house is up a rough road with deep trenches and a hairpin bend. It is situated on a hill top overlooking the bay and is at least a 20 min walk down to the port,longer on the way back ,but the food and water for the cat colonies you have to feed is huge in quantity so you DO need to do the round by car so a driving license is essential .Also you should be capable of getting up very early as the round for feeding the strays takes place around 5,30 a.m and takes about 1 hour from start to finish ( by car) . But you can just go back to bed for an hour after the round as there are no duties to be carried out after that till walking the dog around 8 am He cannot walk in the heat due to his thyroid issue. You can alternatively take him with you in the morning when you go to feed the cats and walk him immediately after the round which would free up your morning duties . This post is probably more suited to a couple who could share the early morning round. No late nights possible as it would be irresponsible to drive at dawn after a late night,risking running over the cats. It's difficult enough to drive through a sea of hungry cats when fully awake! You have to give pills to our dog 2 times a day at certain hours (he is a healthy boy but with Thyroid issues ) and ensuring he gets enough exercise. He is an easy and lazy,super friendly dog.The volunteer would also have to cook for the dog a couple of times a week,rice and chicken liver ..no fancy Gourmet cooking .The cats have their specific habits but are very easy especially as they sleep at least 16 hrs a day in summer.We have a 2 bedroom house,ours and the guest room and we offer the use of a car and we can provide basic provisions and arrange for extra groceries to be delivered from time to time .All cat and dog food supplies are provided of course and it may be necessary to pick up supplies from the local boat every now and again as I feed over 150 strays and order food supplies regularly. Other duties involve feeding colonies in the non residential areas in the countryside every Thurs day,changing the water bowls and topping up food in the feeders there.I would prefer English speaking applicants,preferably over the age of 35. . My husband and I would be away for around 2 and a half months to three months ,July and August and September and possibly till mid October. We live on a beautiful small Greek island ,off the beaten track with few amenities but regular ferry connections. Suitable applicants should be serious about stray animal care/pets and house-sitting in that order and respect our home and keep it clean. They should definitely be keen to help with caring for any sick feral cats too. We offer free reliable internet but it can go off if there's a power cut ( though this is extremely rare in summer) The island is hikers' paradise and quite rural,though there are cafes and restaurants and minimarkets,2 pharmacies,a bank and 4 ATMs,a small health centre but with few facilities.As we are 9 hours away from Athens by ship,it isn't ideal for those with health issues.There are 2 doctors on the island but most medical facilities are on the neighbouring island of Naxos ,3 hrs ferry ride away but with a daily connection.Should 1 of our animals require emergency treatment there is a vet clinic on the neighbouring island of Naxos and now we have a new young vet on the island though his practice isn't fully equipped. He is willing to help of course but again for something more serious,it is better to travel to the nearest island where there is a more equipped vet clinic..We would cover expenses of travel to and from the vet in this case and therefore we need to stress that volunteers should be willing to do that as it constitutes part of the 'care'.
  Amorgos,where we live,is a tiny island with a population of 1600 inhabitants but this trebles in high season.We prefer it during the other 9 months of the year.I am British and can't cope with the heat which is why we head back to England in high season.We do have Air con in the living room,kitchen and main bedroom but now also in the 2nd bedroom. ( To be used by Workawayers).We do ask you to mind the energy consumption however.For further details please contact us .

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  Idiomas

  Árabe: Fluente
  Greek: Fluente
  Inglês: Fluente
  Francês: Fluente

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  Acomodação

  A modern detached house on the hilltop ,with a million dollar view (without any obstruction) of the main port. There are 2 bedrooms but we would prefer to offer the use of the guest bedroom only if possible so it is more suitable for a couple as it has a double bed. 2 friends could share if willing to share the bed. The guest room has its own WC and shower (ensuite) . A comfortable living room and kitchen are available and there is a lot of outdoor space and a large terrace where you can enjoy your morning coffee or a beer or a glass of wine early evening with an amazing sunset. As we will not be here except for the first week of your stay at the most,we can offer food and drink all day for the time we re all in the house together.During our absence,we usually leave many basic provisions of pasta,rice,household goods and bottled water,tea,coffee and some cold drinks and a stocked fridge and we can arrange for someone to deliver some other provisions and groceries once every 10 days but you would have to cook for yourselves.I feed all the strays out of my own pocket..I work hard to earn enough to cover the cost of feeding them and of their medical care. I spend way beyond my means to feed so many hungry mouths and provide medical care costs for them without financial support from any organisation. I cannot afford to provide luxury foodstuffs but the Workawayers who have stayed before were very satisfied .It is a very costly affair feeding so many stray cats and I do this independently of any animal welfare organisation. Thank you all for your understanding.

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  Algo mais...

  There are buses that connect the ports (there are 2) with the other villages and there is a frequent service in summer.However we live off a dirt track road outside the port,about 5 min drive and therefore the use of a car will be available (I cover the petrol costs for doing the feeding of the stray cat colonies and for getting supplies from the port ONLY).There are several car and motorbike rental businesses around the island should you wish to explore it further .There are yoga classes available on the island and plenty of paths for walkers ..for those who like to keep fit. Lazing on the terrace with a book or having an early morning dip in the sea is just as refreshing and relaxing.We stress no parties and prefer NON smokers please.Smoking would be ok if outside only.Our neighbours are at the bottom of the hill and run Air b and b and would not appreciate loud music. We prefer quiet applicants who respect the house rules and who limit alcohol consumption to normal quantities. Please bear in mind that the house stands by itself outside the residential area and there are no street lamps in the last part of the road up the hill leading to it so if you decide to walk home,you need a torch.There are lights outside the house though of course.

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  Mais alguns detalhes

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    Acesso à internet

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    Acesso à internet limitado

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    Temos mascotes

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    Somos fumantes

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    Pode hospedar famílias

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  Pode hospedar nômades digitais

  Our internet is fast and extremely reliable unless there's a power cut obviously which only happens max once in summer and a couple of times in stormy weather in the winter .

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  Espaço para estacionar campervans

  There's space to park a campervan right next to the house

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  Pode aceitar animais

  Yes If the pet is friendly and gets on with other dogs and won't chase our cats.

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  Quantos Workawayers pode acomodar?

  2

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  Horas previstas

  As this is a pet sitting post,there is a daily basic time to devote to dog walking and feeding our pets. However including all the street cat feeding rounds the work is for 3 hrs a day ( 7days a week ) 1 to 1+1/2 hours at dawn , an hour and a half late af

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