If you fancy escaping to a remote Greek island with free accommodations, your dream might be within your reach. The island of Syros, located in the center of the Aegean Sea, is home to around 3,000 stray cats. Since the 1990s, the charity Syros Cats has been working on managing population numbers by providing sterilization and care to the cats. The organization is now welcoming “fit, mature, healthy and independent” volunteers who would like to help with all aspects of cat care for a minimum of one month. In exchange for cat care, applicants will receive free accommodations, breakfast and utilities. Specific day-to-day duties include cleaning litter trays, grooming, gardening, trapping feral cats, helping dispense medication, and taking sick, injured or unvaccinated cats to the vet. As well as looking after the cats, applicants are expected to engage visitors and show them around. Those who have had training or experience as a veterinary nurse, or have previously worked with feral cats, are more likely to be considered, while those under 25 are less likely to be accepted as they may not demonstrate the level of self-sufficiency and initiative required. Once applications are open, volunteers must explain why they would like to be considered. Volunteers will be required to pay for their own travel to the island, as well as covering the cost of foods for meals throughout their stay.
