Greek island recruits guests to take care of 3,000 cats

Syros Island, located in the middle of the Aegean Sea and about 110 km from the port of Piraeus, became the dream destination of thousands of people when it posted information that it needed someone to take care of 3,000 stray cats.

Since the 1990s, charities such as Syros Cats have worked to control cat populations through sterilization and medical care. Currently, they are looking for healthy, independent, and physically fit volunteers to take care of the cats living on the island for a minimum of one month.

In return, volunteers are provided with accommodation, free electricity and water, breakfast and basic living expenses. Volunteers pay their own travel expenses to the island, as well as lunch and dinner during their stay. Every day, they work about 5 hours, 5 days a week, with tasks such as feeding, cleaning and petting rescued kittens.

Daily chores also include cleaning the litter box, grooming, gardening, catching or helping trap feral cats, giving cats medication, as well as taking sick, injured or unvaccinated cats to the veterinarian.

In addition to caring for the cats, volunteers are also expected to communicate with visitors and show them around the area. The organization also recommends not arbitrarily handling sick or injured cats without talking to them first, because they may not be vaccinated or in need of care.

Applicants who have previous training or experience as a veterinary nurse, or who have worked with feral cats, will have an advantage. People under 25 years old are less likely to be accepted because they may not meet the level of “necessary independence and initiative”.

However, Syros Cats says they always welcome cat lovers who are trustworthy, punctual and self-reliant, as long as they are willing to put in the work.

Each batch recruits up to 4 volunteers, often from many different countries, so candidates need to “respect and accept differences in customs, race, gender and beliefs”. Each person will have their own bedroom, sharing a kitchen, bathroom and living space with other volunteers.

Currently, volunteer applications for 2026 are closed due to the high volume of interest. However, the organization encourages those interested to follow social media channels for updates on announcements for the next recruitment round. When the application reopens, candidates need to fill out the registration form, clearly stating the reason for wanting to participate, along with a summary of work experience and taking care of cats.

The organization welcomes digital nomads and remote workers, with the provision of flexible working hours outside of fixed hours. Applicants traveling with children or pets will not be considered.

Outside of contractual working hours, volunteers can spend most of the rest living like true tourists and exploring the island by car, motorbike or on foot.

Syros serves as the administrative center of the Cyclades, the country’s most famous archipelago, according to Discover Greecewebsite of the Greek Federation of Tourism and Hospitality. This place attracts visitors with a modern lifestyle that exists in parallel with traditional lifestyle, creating a space that is both lively and quiet.

The town of Ermoupoli is located on the island of Syros, stretching in an arc on the hillside, featuring large squares and mansions built in the neoclassical style. During the peak of summer tourism, quiet bays and coastal fishing villages become tourist attractions.

Ermoupoli also owns many cultural works such as the Apollo Theater, designed after the La Scala theater in Milan. Church of Agios Nikolaos the Rich, one of the most impressive religious buildings in the Cyclades. Shops, cafes and cultural spaces keep Ermoupoli bustling throughout all seasons. Tourists should visit the Archaeological Museum, the Hermoupolis Industrial Museum and the Hermoupolis Heritage complex – where the old Zisimatos textile factory is preserved.

Above Ermoupoli is Ano Syros, a maze of white alleys typical of the Cyclades, arched passages and Venetian architecture, dominated by the hilltop Agios Georgios Catholic Church. These two regions clearly demonstrate the “two souls” of Syros: Cyclades and Venice, traditional and cosmopolitan, elegant but very close.

Additionally, island volunteers can also visit Syros’ coastal villages such as Kini, Galissas, Finikas and Vari.

Finally, it would be a mistake to leave Syros without enjoying local flavors, from wine to San Michali cheese. Visitors should try two traditional pastries loukoumia (marshmallow) and halvadopita (pastry with sticky filling made from honey, egg whites, sugar, vanilla, almonds), brought by Greeks from Asia Minor.