This Greek island is looking for volunteers to work at a cat shelter - What it offers for free

While many Greek islands are famous for their picturesque stray communities, Syros stands out for the organized and tireless efforts of the Syros Cats and God’s Little People Cat Rescue Associations, according to the Greek Reporter.

Since the 1990s, the charity Syros Cats has been at the forefront of the cat welfare movement on the Cycladic island. Their mission is practical, managing the population through humane neutering (TNR), providing basic veterinary care, and ensuring that the island’s cats are healthy and well-fed.

What cat shelters on Syros Island offer
The organization is gearing up for a busy year and has announced a unique opportunity for those who want to swap the office for island life. Syros Cats is looking for “fit, mature, healthy and independent” volunteers for a stay of at least one month.

In a “work-away” type exchange, successful applicants receive free accommodation, breakfast and shared facilities. In return, they commit to dedicating 5 hours a day, 5 days a week, to caring for rescued cats.

Duties range from feeding and cleaning to the vital work of “cat hugging,” socializing the young rescues so they are ready for their future homes. Interested volunteers should note that applications for 2026 have closed, but they can mark the date, as applications for the 2027 season will open this fall.

Another story of devotion on Syros unfolds at God’s Little People Cat Rescue (GLPCR). Founded by Anglo-Danish couple Joan and Richard Bowell, the shelter was born from a moment of emotional breakdown. When the couple arrived on the island over 20 years ago, they were shocked by the mistreatment of stray animals and decided to dedicate their lives to a different path.

What began as a personal mission to rescue sick kittens has evolved into a world-renowned no-kill sanctuary, perched on a hillside overlooking a nature-protected bay. The shelter, which was featured in the Netflix documentary series Cat People, now provides permanent homes for dozens of cats, while also running a network of feeding stations for local populations.

The Bowells’ philosophy is simple: cats are “God’s little people,” and as “big people,” humans have a responsibility to ensure that they don’t feel like the world is a cruel place. Today, the shelter operates as a high-end adoption center, finding forever homes across Europe and the U.S. for cats that were once abandoned in garbage cans or left to fend for themselves.

The combined work of these two organizations has radically changed Syros. Where there was once conflict between locals and growing stray populations, there is now a community that is largely supportive of and proud of its feline residents.