Join the Animal Care Program in Athens, Greece! This program offers a fantastic opportunity to support local organizations dedicated to caring for our furry four-legged friends and other endangered animals that have been lost or abandoned. In 2017, research showed that there are approximately 3.8 million stray cats and dogs throughout Greece, with nearly 2 million in Athens alone. The high number of abandoned animals makes these shelters indispensable, but they are often overcrowded and under-resourced, relying heavily on volunteers to manage daily tasks.

For your volunteer placement you may be placed in an animal shelter to work with cats and dogs or in a wildlife center for small injured wild animals like hedgehogs, turtles and owls.

Your role as a volunteer in the shelter will involve socializing and training the animals, many of whom may have experienced trauma, violence, neglect, or illness. The mission is to make them feel loved, stimulate them, and help them build trust in people again. The ultimate goal of these shelters is to ensure the well-being of the animals and improve their behavior, making them more social and increasing their chances of being adopted into a loving permanent home.

Your role as a volunteer with wildlife will involve caring for, cleaning and feeding the animals to ensure their quick recovery and releasing them back into the wild.

Your assistance and support to the local staff and volunteers will be crucial in keeping the shelter and rehabilitation center running smoothly, ensuring that all animals receive the attention they need and that the shelter and rehabilitation center remain well-maintained and clean.

What to Expect

• Animal Socialization: Spend time playing and socializing with the animals, helping them build trust in people and improve their behavior.

• Feeding and Care: Feed the animals and ensure they are clean and healthy.

• Walking the Animals: Take the dogs for walks, providing them with exercise and social interaction.

• Support Adoption Events: Assist with organizing and running adoption events to help find new homes for the animals.

• Promote Adoptions: Take photos and videos of the dogs and cats to help promote their adoption through social media and other channels.

• Monitor the Recovery: Check on injured wild animals to make sure their recovery is going smoothly.

Daily Tasks

• Play and Socialize: Engage with the animals through play and socialization to help them become more comfortable around people.
• Feed and Clean: Provide food for the animals and maintain cleanliness in their living areas.
• Walk the Dogs: Take the dogs on regular walks to ensure they get the necessary exercise and interaction.
• Take Care of Wildlife: Help wild injured animals like hedgehogs and owls get their strength back so they can be released into the wild again.
• Assist with Adoption Events: Help organize and participate in events aimed at finding new homes for the animals.
• Capture and Share: Take photos and videos of the animals to create promotional content that highlights their personalities and encourages adoption.

Why Join?

• Make an Impact: Help improve the lives of abandoned and rescued animals, giving them a second chance at finding a loving home.

• Gain Experience: Develop skills in animal care, socialization, and shelter management.

• Cultural Immersion: Experience the rich culture of Athens while making a meaningful contribution to animal welfare.

• New perspective: Learn how to interact with mall wild animals and take care of them until they can be released back into the wild.

Ready to Help Care for Animals in Athens?