Great opportunity to experience a city in greater detail all the while doing something productive and helpful.
Animal Care Volunteer Program in Greece - Athens
Want to volunteer with dogs and cats in Greece - Athens? International Volunteer HQ’s Animal Care project is based in an animal shelter in Athens that provides a safe space for abandoned and rescued animals. As an animal shelter volunteer in Greece, you’ll help care for, feed, socialize and look after these dogs and cats so that they can find a new and loving home. You may also have the chance to support adoption events and campaigns, and take photos of the animals to support re-homing efforts.
Highlights:
- Programs start every first and third Monday of the month
- Affordable fees from $1050 for 2 weeks
- Includes accommodation, meals, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
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Help abandoned animals find a permanent, loving home
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Discover Athens’ ancient ruins, history and culture
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Stay at a sustainable hostel in the heart of Athens
Key information
This program is ideal for:
As you will be volunteering with the support of local staff, you do not need any experience of working with animals. However, a love for dogs and cats is a must!
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
This program is an amazing opportunity to support local organizations that take care of our furry four-legged friends that have been lost or abandoned.
In 2017 research showed that there are approximately 3.8 million stray cats and dogs throughout Greece. In fact, in Athens alone, it is estimated that there are almost 2 million stray cats and dogs. The high number of abandoned cats and dogs make these shelters indispensable! The shelters are often overcrowded and under-resourced, making them heavily dependent on volunteers to manage the day-to-day tasks.
A big part of your job is to socialise with the animals. Many of the animals that are in the shelters may have a past of trauma and violence, indifference and illnesses. It’s our mission to make them feel loved, to stimulate them, and build trust in people again. Moreover, the goal of these shelters is to ensure the well-being of the animals and to improve their behaviour as it enables them to be more social with people so that they can then be adopted and loved by a new permanent family later.
Your assistance and support to the local staff and volunteers will be of great importance, in order to keep the shelter running smoothly, ensuring all dogs and cats get attention and that the place is well maintained and clean.
Your tasks will vary day-to-day but can include:
- Playing and socializing with the dogs and cats
- Feeding the dogs and cats
- Cleaning them and their houses/ sand boxes
- Going on long walks with the dogs in the mountain area or in the city
- Supporting adoption events, campaigns and charitable bazaars
- Taking photos and videos of the dogs to help promote adoption
As you will be volunteering with the support of a local team and placement staff, you do not need to be qualified or experienced to participate on this project.
Why do Animal Care volunteering in Athens with IVHQ?
When you volunteer on the Animal Care project in Athens you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Learning about how animal shelters in Greece operate
- Directly helping abandoned animals find loving homes
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining experience working with dogs
- Immersing yourself in Greek culture
- Discovering the ancient history of Athens
Volunteer requirements
Volunteers need to be 18 years or over to participate in this program. If you are under the age of 18, IVHQ offers alternative volunteer opportunities for teens. Visit our High School Volunteer Abroad page to learn more.
Volunteers must speak fluent English. All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance and provide a recent criminal background check to IVHQ after registering on the program.
Are you eligible to volunteer?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
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Exploring Greece during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Greece during an IVHQ weekend
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
JB
Joel Baker-Smith
10 Apr 2024
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Michele Melichar
10 Apr 2024
A great way to travel solo, give back, and immerse yourself in an unfamiliar culture!
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Sabrina Tomlinson
13 Dec 2023
I can confidently say volunteering was the best decision of my life and I have already signed up for another 12 weeks in Bali with someone I met on the trip. I was a very anxious person before going but I believe this trip has helped settle it. I’ve become so much more confident, I feel I learned so much from the people volunteering at the dog shelter, the dogs, everyone I met, and just from being in Greece for so long. I got to immerse myself in their lifestyle which was very different but amazing. I constantly pushed myself out of my comfort zone and in return it was the most rewarding and impactful trip of my life.
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Fernando Castro
31 Oct 2023
IVHQ did an amazing job with their guidance and preparation resources, I hope to work with them again. The local team did exceptional work. Their communication and organization were outstanding, making it easy for volunteers to contribute effectively.
Volunteering at a dog shelter in Greece was an incredibly rewarding experience. The opportunity to work closely with the shelter's dedicated staff and the dogs in their care left a lasting impression on me. The shelter staff exhibited an unwavering commitment to the well-being of the dogs. Their passion and tireless efforts to provide food, shelter, and love to these animals were evident every day. Their dedication to creating a safe and nurturing environment for the dogs was truly inspiring.
During my time there, I had the chance to engage in various tasks, from feeding and grooming the dogs to taking them for walks and providing socialization. It was heartwarming to witness the positive changes in the dogs' behavior and demeanor as they received attention and care. Overall, my time volunteering at the dog shelter in Greece was a life-changing experience, thanks in large part to the incredible local staff, and IVHQ, and their dedication. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of this meaningful endeavor, and I hope to return in the future to continue supporting their vital work.
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SN
Sophie Neville
31 Oct 2023
It's a life changing experience and really boosts confidence, I feel so much more confident!
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CD
Clément Dauriat
05 Sep 2023
Thank you to our Program Manager for helping us and answering all of our questions! The program is a wonderful way to meet people around the world and discover a new country and culture!
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To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
Academic course credit
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
Learn about course credit
Location
The IVHQ Greece program is based in Athens, the country’s largest and capital city, as well as one of the world’s oldest cities! Famous for its art, philosophy and culture, you’ll have the chance to step back through time and witness fascinating museums, historic sculptures and ancient ruins up to 5,000 years old.
There are plenty of awesome viewpoints around Athens, from which you can admire the city’s architectural gems, labyrinthe of streets and charming taverns. Or you can soak up the sun on the city’s beaches and nearby islands. Don’t forget to treat your taste buds to the local Mediterranean cuisine - you can’t beat a Greek salad!
Arrival and orientation
The Greece volunteer program begins on the first and third Monday of each month and you will need to arrive in Athens on the Sunday before your chosen start date.
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Athens International Airport (ATH). The cost of your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee. When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and taken to the volunteer accommodation. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.
If you are traveling in Greece prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up from a meeting point in Athens on the Sunday before your program start date. You are also free to make your own way to the volunteer accommodation.
On Monday, orientation is hosted by our local team in Greece and runs for a full day. Orientation covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Athens – an introduction to Greece, culture and customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities, and an introduction to your project and placement as well as a tour of the local area. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.
Volunteer schedule example
Weekdays
After the initial orientation, you will have a morning, afternoon or evening shift at your placement and will work for approximately 3 to 5 hours per day. A typical schedule is as follows:
| 7:30 AM - 10:00 AM | Breakfast is available at the volunteer accommodation and is self-service. |
| 8:30 AM | Volunteers usually begin traveling to their placement to join local placement staff and begin work on their project. Please note that start times and daily workload depends on the project that you are participating in - some placements run in the afternoon and volunteers on these placements will have the morning free to use as they wish or to attend Greek language lessons. |
| 2:00 PM - 3.30 PM | Lunch is available at the volunteer accommodation. After lunch, you will continue your volunteer work (where applicable). |
| 4:00 PM | Volunteers with afternoon or evening shifts travel to placement to join local staff and begin work on their project. Please note that start times and daily work load depend on the project you are participating in. |
| 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM | Dinner is available at the volunteer accommodation. After dinner you will have the remainder of the evening free to relax and use as you wish. |
Please note that this schedule will vary depending on the needs of your particular placement.
Weekends
Volunteers have the weekends free and there is no shortage of great things to see and do in Athens, wider Greece and the surrounding Greek Islands.
Accommodation and WiFi
Volunteers are accommodated in a dormitory-style hostel conveniently located in the heart of Athens. Experience the ultimate blend of comfort, community, and cultural exchange. Just a stone’s throw away from the nearest metro station and a short drive from the iconic Acropolis, the hostel is the perfect base for your volunteering adventure.
Immerse yourself in the lively neighborhood, brimming with amenities such as supermarkets, quaint coffee shops, bustling bars, convenient ATMs, and all transportation means. Expect cozy accommodations shared with up to eleven other people per room, complete with air conditioning for comfort. There are two well-maintained shared bathrooms on each floor to ensure convenience, while bedding and towels are provided for your ease. There are staff who clean the accommodation throughout the week; however, volunteers are required to keep their rooms tidy. Each volunteer is provided with their own locker.
The communal areas, including a spacious dining hall/warm lounge, a fully equipped communal kitchen, inviting backyard, and an expansive terrace, celebrate the different cultures and stories that arrive at the hostel. This vibrant space is a hub of social inclusion and sustainability, offering a welcoming atmosphere where guests from around the globe can connect. The hostel extends occupational opportunities to migrants and refugees in Athens, embodying a spirit of community empowerment. Its decor, an ode to sustainable living, features charming second-hand furnishings and supports local, ethical businesses.
WiFi is available at the volunteer accommodation and is free of charge. Please note that the signal may be weaker in some areas. There is also WiFi available at many cafes and restaurants in the area.
Meals
Volunteers at the hostel are provided with breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day. Breakfast is served buffet-style, typically offering tea, coffee, milk, bread, jam, cereal, and seasonal fruits.
Lunch and dinner menus usually feature a variety of options including fish, meat, rice, pasta, lentils, vegetables, and salad.
Volunteers are encouraged to communicate any special dietary needs when submitting their application, so arrangements can be made accordingly. As you will be living and volunteering abroad, you should not expect to eat as you normally do at home; however, the local team will do their best to ensure you are well taken care of.
Accommodation terrace
Accommodation outside space
Typical volunteer bedroom
Typical volunteer bedroom
Typical volunteer bedroom
Typical volunteer bedroom
Typical volunteer bedroom
Typical volunteer bedroom
Typical volunteer bedroom
Typical volunteer bedroom
Typical volunteer bedroom
Typical bedroom lockers
Typical volunteer toilet
Typical volunteer toilet
Typical volunteer living room
Typical volunteer living room
Volunteer lounge & dining area
Volunteer lounge & dining area
Accommodation reception
Typical volunteer kitchen
Typical volunteer kitchen
Typical volunteer kitchen
Typical volunteer kitchen
Typical volunteer breakfast
Typical volunteer lunch
Volunteer accommodation upgrade (double room)
Volunteer accommodation upgrade (double room)
Volunteer accommodation upgrade (double room)
Volunteer accommodation upgrade (double room)
Volunteer accommodation upgrade (double room)
Volunteer accommodation upgrade (single-twin room)
Volunteer accommodation upgrade (single-twin room)
Volunteer accommodation upgrade (single-twin room)
Pricing
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 2 weeks | $1,050 Equivalent to $75/day |
| 3 weeks | $1,410 Equivalent to $67/day |
| 4 weeks | $1,770 Equivalent to $63/day |
| 5 weeks | $2,130 Equivalent to $61/day |
| 6 weeks | $2,490 Equivalent to $59/day |
| 8 weeks | $3,210 Equivalent to $57/day |
| 10 weeks | $3,930 Equivalent to $56/day |
| 12 weeks | $4,650 Equivalent to $55/day |
- Accommodation
- Meals
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Airport pick-up
- Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately $329) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Additional things to budget for include: Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check, public transport to and from your placement each day and return to the airport when your program finishes.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers on Athens based projects generally find US$100 to be sufficient for basic weekly expenses, including transportation and miscellaneous spending.
- Any changes or cancellations within 14 days of your start date are subject to a US$200 late change/cancellation fee.
Check what's required to visit Greece
Safety and support
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
- All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
- All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
- All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
- All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Essential country information
| Capital | Athens |
| Population | 11.18 Million |
| Languages | Greek |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Time zone | UTC+02:00 |
Weather and climate
The climate in Greece is a very typical Mediterranean climate: mild and rainy winters and hot and dry summers with long periods of sunshine and no rain.
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