Animal Care

Volunteer in an animal shelter in Athens that provides a safe space for abandoned and rescued dogs, cats, and wild urban animals—such as birds, turtles, and hedgehogs—rescued from forests and parks in need of rehabilitation. Help care for, feed, walk, socialize, and look after these animals so they can find new and loving homes.

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.

Your role as a volunteer 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 assistance and support to the local staff and volunteers will be crucial in keeping the shelter running smoothly, ensuring that all animals receive the attention they need and that the shelter remains 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.

 

 

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.
  • 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.

 

Ready to Help Care for Animals in Athens?

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Included

  • Airport pickup on Sundays, straight to your accommodation
  • Stay in a socially or environmentally impactful hostel—female, male, or mixed dorms
  • Access to a common room and free Wi-Fi!
  • Three meals a day—veggie, vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free options available upon request
  • Orientation on arrival: culture, volunteering, program details, and safety
  • We’ll hook you up with an impactful non-profit project and handle the coordination
  • Guided city tour with top tips for exploring
  • Ongoing support throughout your stay
  • 24/7 emergency support, just in case
Book now

FAQ

What is the minimum age to participate in this program? 18

The minimum age to participate in this program is 18 years.

Do I have to pay money for volunteering?

You are not paying for your volunteer work itself but for your stay with us overall. The costs for your program further include various elements that are part of your stay such as your accommodation, food, transportation from the airport, guided city tour, local coordination and 24/7 support for emergencies. Check the "Included" section of the program you want to choose for complete information!

How and when do I need to pay for my volunteer program with ImpacTrip?

The payment of your volunteer program is done by bank transfer. We will kindly ask you to pay 50% of your bill at the time of your booking to secure your spot! The other 50% will be due at least one month before your arrival!

What is the accommodation like? Could I stay in a private room?

Depending on the program, in most cases, you will stay along with the other volunteers in dormitory-style rooms. Private rooms may be available at your accommodation as well for an extra cost.

Can I cook in the accommodation?

Yes, the hostel has an eqquiped kitchen where you can cook yourself with the only condition of cleaning everything used afterwards.

How much money should I bring to my program?

Once you've booked your program, be sure to reach out to your local coordinator to get the scoop on the cost of living in your destination—it can differ quite a bit! And don't forget to budget for public transportation, emergencies, airport drop-off, snacks, fun activities, and a bit of local shopping. Happy planning!

How many people will be I be volunteering with?

Depending on your program and project, you might be joined by other ImpacTrip volunteers, but usually, you’ll either be on your own or with local volunteers. It's a fantastic opportunity to connect with locals and immerse yourself in the community and its lifestyle!

Will I have time for some sight-seeing as well?

Of course! We want you to really get to know your natural and cultural surroundings and will provide you with useful tips and tricks that will help you discover the location of your stay like a local. 

Your shifts will generally last between 3 and 5 hours per day and will take place either in the morning, in the afternoon or in the evening, which will leave you with plenty of free time to go explore, take a stroll around your surroundings, catch the most important sites, interact with the locals or simply go and relax! And of course, you will have your weekends off as well!

In case of need, how do I get health care?

All volunteers must arrive with private health insurance that covers the costs of any health service that may arise in their program destination.
With this insurance you can be treated at any private or public medical center. The medical expenses will be paid by you and when you return to your country you will have to present all the invoices to your insurance so don't forget to budget medical emergencies.
In the case of European volunteers, to facilitate the process, it is advisable to come with your European Health Card.

Do I need to speak the local language?

No, you don't need to have any previous skills in the local language! All of our programs are run entirely in English and our guides and staff are all comfortable speaking English as well. However, we always encourage our participants to get acquainted with some of the most basic terms and expressions, as even just a simple "Good morning!" in the local language can be a great icebreaker to start interacting with the locals! There are also language lessons available for volunteers that can be booked before or upon arrival.

How and when do I get my volunteer certificate?

You can request your volunteer certificate to ImpacTrip or the local coordinator at the end of your program.