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Relaxing, love-filled time with cats in Greece — Volunteer work caring for stray animals in Athens

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    • -Early Bird Discount (0)days before start 0 %
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    EGAH0005
    Europe/Greece/Athens
    • Program Period: Available Year-Round
    • Application Period: Open Year-Round
    • Number of Participants: Unlimited
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    Program Creator / Olive
    I visited this place and felt it was like a paradise for cats. In this spacious center and home, volunteers and rescued cats live together in the second-floor area. It was filled with various facilities for the cats, and everything was kept clean. Through
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    • Learning & Growth
    • Leisure & Fun
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    • Safety & Location
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    Program Introduction

    This project is An abandoned animal care program for people who love dogs and cats and want to experience animal shelters in EuropeThe shelter cares for and treats injured or homeless cats and dogs and works to help them be adopted into new homes. Please give loving care to cats and dogs in need.

     

    This project has an excellent environment for people who love cats. The shelter is a modern, spacious two-story house where the living room, kitchen, and bedrooms used by staff and volunteers are filled with cat towers and cat supplies. Here, cats roam freely indoors and comfortably interact with volunteers.Be with the cats anytime, anywhere.Whether you're relaxing comfortably in the bedroom, reading in the living room, or enjoying the sunshine on the terrace,you will feel like one familyExperience the warm body heat and soft fur of cats that trust you and curl up in your arms, and enjoy a time that warms your heart.

     

    You don't need professional knowledge or exceptional skills to happily play with abandoned dogs and cats. Anyone can participate if they love animals and have minimal caregiving experience. Overseas volunteers who come to the organization are also full of warm hearts that love animals. Even if you don't share a language, a mutual love for animals makes it easy to get along with the other volunteers.After the day's activities, tour the city of Athens with friends or stroll along the beach to feel the relaxed atmosphere of Greece.You will create unforgettable memories while enjoying Greece's beautiful nature and culture.

     

    Most abandoned animals carry wounds from being abandoned by people. But with consistent attention and love, animals will open their hearts again and show boundless love and trust.
    In our busy social lives, we are often hurt by people for various reasons.Time to step away from everyday life and fully feel the love animals give through the projectYou will also build deep bonds by interacting with volunteers who share common interests. Experience a special time of healing for your body and mind with cute dogs and cats and friendly people.

     

    Recommended Duration by Participants

    12.3 Week

    Based on past participants’ experiences, we’ve organized the common themes of learning, reflection, and growth by time period.

    4Week
    Discover
    8Week
    Learn
    Recommended 12Week
    12Week
    Grow
    16Week
    Move Forward
    20Week
    Transform

    Why This Project

    What makes this project special

    #Wisdom & Capability#Freedom & Happiness#Inner Peace & Fulfillment#Experience of unconditional love#Mediterranean travel#Love for abandoned cats and dogs#Their paradise#Complete happiness#Love for animals#Recovering myself#Bonding#The Mediterranean right ahead#Beautiful nature#Trip to Greece#Trip to Europe#Participation from people worldwide#Respect for life#Time for myself#Regain self-esteem
    3 Step

    12Week

    Grow

    You can gain hands-on experience by participating in special projects at the animal shelter. The happy time spent with the animals gradually eases the difficulties in your life. You personally plan calming methods and play activities that reduce animals' stress. You gain a deeper understanding of animal welfare regulations and social awareness. You build deep bonds with the dogs and cats you've been with for a long time and feel profound love. You experience the fulfillment of knowing your small touch can change an animal's life. You feel a heart-filled joy through volunteering. Relationships naturally form with people you meet at the volunteer site, and difficulties in interpersonal relationships decrease. Your ability to understand others' tendencies and to cooperate with them improves. You grow stronger in putting your warm feelings for animals into action. Through the experiences gained from volunteering, you feel your life's values being reorganized and yourself becoming more mature.

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    Program Activities

    This project involves volunteering at an animal shelter located near Athens, Greece.Volunteering to care for injured or sick cats and dogs at a shelter for abandoned animals.The organization operates two shelters near Athens, and participants can coordinate with the organization to care for abandoned animals at the shelter that suits them.

    Project activities

    Main activities

    • Provide water and food to the cats and dogs in the shelter.
    • Clean the shelter where people and cats live together to keep it clean.
    • Bathe and groom the cats and dogs and take photos. Help the shelter animals find safe homes for adoption.
    • Play with the cats or walk the shelter dogs.
    • Plan and participate in various projects—such as making animal toys, designing merchandise, and promoting campaigns and fundraising—to raise awareness of animal protection activities.
    • Maintain and repair the organization's facilities, such as fixing cat houses and painting.

    Example daily schedule

    - Volunteer work is generally5 days a week, 4–5 hours per daywill be carried out. The volunteer schedule is discussed with the organization's staff and volunteers and planned and managed weekly.

    Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
    07:00 ~ 10:00 Breakfast Free time
    10:00 ~ 12:00 Prepare meals for cats and dogs and check their health
    12:00 PM – 2:00 PM Lunch
    2:00 PM – 5:00 PM Cleaning the shelter facilities and taking promotional photos for adoption on social media
    From 5:00 PM Free time and rest

    *The above schedule and activities are examples and may be adjusted depending on the organization's circumstances.

    *Volunteering is not considered work, so participation can be flexible according to the schedule.

    Additional information

    • An orientation will be held on the first day of the project. The orientation provides useful information such as an introduction to Greece, project details, and safety guidelines.
    • Participants are required to have at least some experience in animal care, such as pet ownership or volunteering at an animal shelter.
    • This project includes one activity per week. You can enjoy various activities with the organization's staff and volunteers.
      (Activity examples: visiting museums and archaeological sites, Athens Riviera hiking tours, Mediterranean monk seal exploration, visits to sea turtle rescue centers, sea kayaking and other watersports, etc.)
    • At the host organization, cats and volunteers live together freely in the home. Volunteers live alongside the cats cared for by the organization.
      Also, some cats may need to be isolated at times for health reasons. In such cases, they may have to stay in a room for a certain period.
    • The organization performs daily cleaning to ensure that cats and volunteers live in a clean and hygienic environment.
    • If you participate in external volunteer activities, the organization provides transportation to the activity site.
    • Volunteers can use mountain bikes provided by the organization to go to the market or explore the surrounding town.
    • You must have travel insurance that covers the entire duration of your participation in the project.
    • If volunteers wish, they can also volunteer at a cat shelter located on a Greek beachfront about a 20-minute drive from the main shelter.

    English requirement: ★★☆☆☆

    • You should have basic communication skills to converse and work in English with local staff and international volunteers.

    Program Inclusions

    • On-Site Orientation
      On-Site Orientation
    • Groceries / Ingredients Provided
      Groceries / Ingredients Provided
    • 24/7 Emergency Contact Support
      24/7 Emergency Contact Support
    • Personal Growth Support (Missions / Scholarships / Consulting)
      Personal Growth Support (Missions / Scholarships / Consulting)
    • Official Certificate of Completion
      Official Certificate of Completion
    • International Admin Support
      International Admin Support
    • Orientation Materials
      Orientation Materials
    • Program / Travel Tips
      Program / Travel Tips
    • On-site / Off-site Activities
      On-site / Off-site Activities
    • Accommodation Included (See Details)
      Accommodation Included (See Details)
    • Shared Kitchen
      Shared Kitchen
    • Round-trip Airport Transfer
      Round-trip Airport Transfer
    • Host Institution Certificate
      Host Institution Certificate
    • Welcome Pack / Goods
      Welcome Pack / Goods
    • Local Support / Inquiries
      Local Support / Inquiries
    • Partner Discount Benefits
      Partner Discount Benefits
    • Live Support Service
      Live Support Service
    • Pre-Departure Orientation (Korea GapYear)
      Pre-Departure Orientation (Korea GapYear)
    • Wi-Fi / Internet Access
      Wi-Fi / Internet Access
    • Laundry Facilities
      Laundry Facilities
    • Professional Training / Education
      Professional Training / Education
    • Professional Training / Education
      Professional Training / Education

    Detailed support items

    Support Details

    Accommodation and Meals

    • Shared accommodation where you can interact with volunteers from around the world and cats.
    • Local ingredients and kitchen utensils provided so volunteers can cook and eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner together.
    • Common spaces where you can make friends with international volunteers.

    Project Activities

    • Safe transfer from the airport to the accommodationPickup service (round-trip)
    • Thorough local orientation
    • Activities enjoyed together with international volunteers
    • DependableOn-site dedicated manager
    • Available 24/7! Contactable immediately if anything happens24-hour emergency contact line
    • Provided by the organizationWelcome kit
    • Travel tips provided so you can live like a local

    Care Services

    • Participant dispatch procedures: handling project registration and deployment process
    • Orientation provided: various orientation information to help ensure a successful gap year
    • Welcome gift: a welcome kit for volunteers with useful local items
    • Orientation materials: resources containing the organizer's know-how to help first-time international travelers go safely
    • Gap Year Notebook: a notebook to reflect on yourself during your gap year(▶ See details)
    • Gap Year Mission

    Certificates and Recommendation Letters

    • Issuance of Volunteer Activity Certificate from Local Organizations
    • Issuance of Korea Gap Year Participation Certificate and Program Completion Certificate

    * 현지기관 인증서 및 추천서 발급은 프로젝트 종료 후 참가자의 요청에 의해 발급됩니다. 또한 현지기관 인증서 및 추천서는 현지기관에 양식에 따라 형식이나 발급상황이 달라질 수 있습니다.

    * 인증서 및 추천서는 프로젝트를 제대로 수행한 후, 후기 제출 시 발급됩니다.

    Items Not Included

    • Round-trip airfare
    • Other local living expenses (accommodation, meals, local transportation, etc.)
    • Individual traveler's insurance

    * 항공권 및 교통편은 프로젝트 참가확정 및 출국 일정을 최종적으로 안내 받은 후 예약하시기 바랍니다.

    About the Provider

    About the Organization

    The organization carrying out the project is a global animal welfare charity headquartered in the United States. Since 2007 it has registered an entity in Greece and has worked to raise awareness of animal rights and welfare, educating people about the importance of animals. The organization acts in accordance with local communities while striving to think globally, supports special projects occurring around the world, and works for global animal welfare. It helps animals in distress, treats all animals kindly, and does not tolerate others abusing animals.

    A Word from the Director

    "We hope you will join our community and work together to create a better world for these amazing animals. Thank you to everyone who supports us."

    - Kelly -

    Accommodation

    Shared rooms / shared bathroom / fully stocked kitchen / communal washer and dryer / free Wi-Fi

    During the project, participants will stay in a shared house where they live with international volunteers and rescued cats and dogs. You can experience the joys of communal living with friends from various nationalities.

    The accommodation is a spacious, comfortable two-story house with a yard where rescued cats and dogs are cared for and managed. The first floor has a large living room, kitchen, terrace, and shared bathroom, while the upstairs area includes rooms where between 2 and 4 people stay with cats. Mountain bikes are available for those who want to explore the surrounding area.


    For meals, the kitchen ingredients and utensils are shared by everyone; you can cook together with your housemates or go into town with volunteer friends to eat out. Volunteers cooperate with each other to cook, clean, and live together during their stay.
    *Vegetarian/vegan options are also available.

    - Up to 2 people share gender-separated rooms; each room is equipped with basic furniture (wardrobe, reading lamp, curtains).

    - Groceries and food supplies are provided so volunteers can prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner themselves.

    - Basic bedding, towels, blankets, and beach towels are provided.

    Location Overview

    Region:Greece, Athens

    Greece, a land of history and myth, is located at the crossroads of southeastern Europe on the Balkan Peninsula and combines both European and Mediterranean characteristics. Greece has many jewel-like islands such as Santorini, Crete, Zakynthos, and Kefalonia. Santorini is often listed as a place you must visit before you die.

    In the capital city of Athens, you can find historical sites including the Acropolis's Parthenon, which attest to the birthplace of world civilization. The climate is typically Mediterranean: hot and dry in summer, but rainy in winter. The project site is located on a quiet seaside about 13 km from downtown Athens.

    Recommended destinations

    1. Santorini Island

    Santorini is the place of white houses with blue roofs lined up on a hillside against the sea and under a blue sky. Like Jeju Island, Santorini was formed by volcanic eruptions and features many cliffs. A fun aspect of Santorini is that the roof of a lower house can serve as the terrace of the house above it. I strongly recommend watching the sunset over the Aegean Sea from a Santorini terrace or an outdoor café.

    2. Acropolis

    Athens' Acropolis is fundamental to Western history and attracts many visitors. The Acropolis, at the heart of Athens, means 'a city built on a high hill.' There you can admire the wonder of the Parthenon, the most famous and grand temple and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Don't forget to climb the Acropolis and take in the panoramic view of Athens!

    3. Mykonos Island

    Mykonos offers another side of Greece's charm. The white houses and windmills are symbols of the island. If Santorini has a grand, masculine appeal, Mykonos has a quaint, feminine charm. The island's famous resident is the pelican, which often travels in flocks and helps increase the local bird population. While staying on Mykonos, meet the pelicans that mingle with the locals and fall into the island's picture-perfect scenery.

    Dates & Fees

    This project can start on your preferred day of the week.

    The minimum participation period for this project is 8 weeks (2 months).

    ■ The cost of this project is at the top of the current pagewhere you can easily check the detailed amounts by duration and options.

    Eligibility and Qualifications

    - Someone who can communicate in English at a basic level

    - Adults aged 18 or older

    - Someone who has a deep love for animals

    - Someone with at least minimal animal care (pet ownership, animal volunteer work, etc.) experience

    - Someone who loves cats and is comfortable handling them

    - Someone who keeps their surroundings clean and tidy

    - Someone who values teamwork and has a positive attitude

    Installment Payment Information

    If you have difficulty paying in full, you may prepay a registration fee of 500,000 KRW and pay the remaining balance within two weeks. Based on the date the registration fee is paid, we will proceed with the process to confirm participation in the project and check availability and openings (TO). To participate on your desired date and for your desired period, it's important to secure a spot quickly! (Once participation is confirmed, refunds are not available.)

    * However, if the start date is imminent, the schedule for paying the remaining balance may vary depending on the circumstances.

    Early Bird Discount and Urgent Application Information

    We recommend applying for all GapYear projects at least 3 months before the project start date to allow for normal processing and GapYear preparation time; as a rule, applications should be submitted no later than 2 months before the start date. However, if there are unavoidable reasons or you urgently need to join a project, we offer an expedited application service for an additional fee to help facilitate the fastest possible processing.

    * While we assist with the fastest possible processing, there is still the time required for communication with local organizations and for confirming participation, and because all procedures are conducted the same as for regular participants, applicants using the urgent application service are required to actively cooperate with the Korean GapYear operations teamYou must do this.

    ** Applicants who submit their application at least 180 days before the start date are eligible for an early-bird discount.

    *** The urgent application service can be requested from the selection options above. For inquiries regarding the urgent application service, please contact koreagapyear@gmail.com.

    - Included: Automatic registration for the Gap Year mission and notes / Full OT materials provided immediately upon confirmation of participation / Additional emergency personnel deployment / Support for preparing documents if needed, etc.

    * If you have difficulty calculating dates, please refer to the Naver Date Calculator >>Naver Date Calculator (Direct Link)

    ** Note: For ultra-urgent applications, there may be no available slots depending on local circumstances, and subsequent procedures will follow the Gap Year refund policy. Any problems caused by a participant's lack of cooperation are the participant's responsibility.

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    For any additional inquiries about the project, please contact our operations team via email (program@koreagapyear.com )
    or consult with one of our program consultants via KakaoTalk.

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