There has been an open call for volunteers from Greece and abroad, who would like to actively contribute to the care of stray cats on the island of Syros in the Cyclades island group. Those interested receive free accommodation
Syros is home to the Syros Cats program, a non-profit shelter that offers free or low-cost accommodation to volunteers who take care of the island’s stray cats.
Volunteers stay in shared hostels with a private room, shared kitchen/bathroom, breakfast and basic amenities. In return, according to local cyclades24.gr, they help daily with:
- feeding and caring for cats
- cleaning spaces & cages
- supporting sick or fearful animals
- general needs of the shelter
The island of the Cyclades is home to approximately 3,000 stray cats, a fact that has led to the creation of organized initiatives for their protection and care for decades.
Since the 1990s, animal welfare organizations, most famously Syros Cats, have been systematically active in the sterilization, care and control of the stray population.
The program addresses an open call to volunteers from Greece and abroad, who would like to actively contribute to the care of the animals for at least one month. It offers free accommodation with breakfast to volunteers, on the condition that they dedicate approximately five hours a day, five days a week, to caring for the cats.
The response to the program is so great that applications for 2026 are currently closed.
Only four volunteers are accepted at a time, usually from different countries.
Although each person has their own bedroom, the common areas – kitchen, bathroom and living room – are shared, creating a small international animal-friendly community.
For those who love cats and are looking for an experience beyond the classic vacation, Syros offers a special combination of hospitality, service and daily contact with animals, on one of the most beautiful islands of the Cyclades.
If the Muncipality and private vets had done their jobs, there wouldn’t be a cat problem on Syros or many of the islands. The fact is there are government funds but charities and private residents still are the only ones spending money neutering and caring for the cats.
Thank you for your kindness…Syros Cats