Keen to help Out at a Dog and Cat Shelter on the Beautiful Greek Island of Chios? Join the team at a small but dedicated animal shelter on Chios, where 20 to 35 rescued dogs and cats are given a second chance at life. Many have been abandoned, mistreated, or arrived sick. Some may even stay for the rest of their lives. Your care can be the difference between simply surviving and truly living.
Your daily tasks will include feeding, cleaning, and basic care, but what the animals need most is you. Many of the dogs spend long hours in kennels, and some rarely leave them. That’s where you come in... giving them time to run, play, cuddle, or even get a much needed bath.
Some dogs roam freely around the shelter, while others benefit from fenced play areas. There’s also a disabled dog on-site who needs extra love and attention.
You'll also help socialise dogs and cats preparing for adoption, making it more likely they’ll find forever homes. Occasionally, the shelter participates in sterilisation campaigns, where you'll assist with catching stray animals for treatment.
Do you have a passion for advocacy? The shelter wants to expand its animal welfare efforts on the island and your creativity and energy could help launch new campaigns to raise awareness.
And if you’re handy with tools, your skills are more than welcome! From repairs to upgrades, there’s always a project in the works. Whether it's stopping clever escape artists or building better spaces to keep the animals cool in summer and warm in winter.
Chantal
Ik heb veel gelachen, genoten en ook geleerd!
Working hours are generally in the morning from 8:30am to 1:00pm. The afternoon schedule depends on the tasks that still need to be done. This could include repairing enclosures, caring for sick dogs, socialising animals, visiting the vet and more. Often, afternoons are pretty relaxed, giving you time to unwind and enjoy a few free hours.
Work happens every day since the animals need daily care, but of course, we’ll schedule regular days off together with you.
Derk and Sabina, live in the apartment below the main house. They work at the shelter and will support you throughout your stay. A maximum of two volunteers can stay in the house.
English and Dutch are spoken at this project.
This project runs all year round.
There’s a spacious house on the property. It has a large kitchen with a fireplace, a separate living room, two bedrooms (each with a double bed) and a bathroom with hot water.
There’s also a large terrace, partly covered, with an incredible view over the Aegean Sea towards Turkey. The house has Wi-Fi and a washing machine.
You’ll probably be sharing the house with a few dogs and cats too, as it also serves as a recovery space for sick or injured animals.
After the morning work, a tasty lunch is prepared and shared. You’ll need to organise your own food and drinks for the rest of the day. The house uses only vegetarian and vegan products. We love dogs and cats here, but we care deeply about all animals.
You’ll stay on-site at the project, so no daily transport is needed.
There’s one airport on Chios, and the arrival area feels more like a local footy club than an airport. But we’ll be there waiting to pick you up.
Have a look at the extra trips available to explore during your free time. There are some truly stunning experiences on offer, and since you’re in such a beautiful place, it’s a great chance to see more of the island.
Hi, I’m Sabina and I’ll be your main contact at this project.
Over the years I’ve travelled a lot and done volunteer work during most of my trips. My first ever project was in Nepal in 2011 with Volunteer Worldwide. I have such great memories from that experience that my partner and I launched a school project in a small Nepali village with Volunteer Worldwide in 2023. And now we’re in Chios.
Most of my volunteering has been in animal shelters and clinics, including in Thailand, Moldova, Romania and India. I also volunteer for a Dutch organisation that rehomes stray dogs from abroad. Through that organisation, I found out about the serious issues at this small shelter on Chios. In January 2024 I came to help out and ended up deciding to stay here with my partner for the next few years.
The animals here often went without proper care for a long time, despite good intentions. Some dogs have been here for over 10 years. There’s a lot of work to do to give them a life they truly deserve. There’s also a lot of animal suffering on the island itself, and we want to do something about that too.
I became vegetarian at 14 (a long time ago now!) and have been living vegan for almost 10 years. I care deeply about all animals, not just dogs and cats. I’m also a board member of the animal rights organisation 'Bite Back' and that’s why we only serve vegan or vegetarian food at the project.
I’d love to chat with you about plant-based living, and of course, every day at lunch you’ll get to taste just how good vegan food can be.
If you have any questions, Derk and I are always here to help.
For our Dog and Cat Project on the beautiful Greek island of Chios, we’re looking for dedicated volunteers who are ready to roll up their sleeves and make a real difference in the lives of shelter animals. The work comes with surprises, from new arrivals to emergencies on the island, so flexibility is key. While the tasks can be challenging, the reward is huge! From a scared dog finally trusting you, to a cat that slowly starts to feel safe again.
Love for Animals: A strong connection with dogs and cats, along with patience to help them.
Flexibility: Willingness to adapt to unexpected situations, such as new animals arriving or emergency rescues.
Adaptability: Comfortable working in different conditions and as part of a team of volunteers.
Resilience: Able to cope with sometimes emotional or physically demanding situations.
As a volunteer, you’ll be helping out daily at the shelter, feeding animals, cleaning, providing care and helping socialise them. No two days are ever the same thanks to the unpredictable nature of rescue work. The most rewarding moments often come in small but powerful ways... like the wagging tail of a dog who now trusts you, or a timid cat coming out of hiding for the first time.
Outside of your time at the shelter, you’ll have plenty of chances to explore Chios, relax on stunning beaches, enjoy the local food and take in the unique island culture. You’ll be staying in shared accommodation with other volunteers, making it easy to form friendships and enjoy a supportive atmosphere.
This is a truly special opportunity to make a real impact in the lives of animals, all while experiencing the beauty of one of Greece’s lesser-known gems. If you love animals and are keen to play an active role in their care and wellbeing, this project is made for you.
Together, we can help give these dogs and cats the better life they deserve!
We completely understand that having your child volunteer overseas can feel like a big step. In fact, it’s often just as exciting for parents as it is for the young person themselves, and sometimes even a little more nerve-racking. That’s why we want to reassure you that your child is in good hands.
Since 2004, we’ve been supporting volunteers and have guided many young people through meaningful international experiences.
We take safety seriously. That begins with carefully selecting our partner organisations, volunteer projects, and host families. Every placement is thoroughly checked to make sure it meets our high standards for safety, support, and ethical practices.
Our experienced and caring local contacts are always there to support volunteers throughout their journey. From clear pre-departure preparation to personal assistance during the project, we’re available to help whenever needed.
We believe strongly in open communication. You're always welcome to contact us with any questions or concerns. We’re here not only for the volunteers, but for their families too.
You can feel confident knowing we are fully committed to creating a safe, supportive, and positive experience. Your child’s wellbeing, safety, and overall happiness are our top priorities.
If there's anything you’d like to ask or talk through, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We're here to support you every step of the way.
Warm regards,
The Volunteer Worldwide Team
2 weeks of volunteer work: $990
3 weeks of volunteer work: $1429
Each additional week: $285
*All prices are in AUD.
Online introductory meeting
Information pack with details about Greek culture and customs, plus an overview of everything you need to prepare, including insurance, money matters, and travel tips
Pre-departure training
Assistance with obtaining a police check
Access to the online community
Help booking your flight (on request)
Airport transfer to and from the project
On-site introduction
Support throughout your entire stay
Accommodation in a volunteer house
Daily lunch
Evaluation session
Certificate (on request)
Option to stay active in our WhatsApp community
Memories for life!
Flights
Vaccinations
Visa
Police check
Travel insurance
Breakfast and dinner
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