Your volunteer week in Athens usually runs Monday to Friday, starting with an orientation session and guided city tour to help you settle in and get to know your team. Each day’s schedule may vary depending on the needs of the sanctuary, but a typical day looks like this:

08:00 – 10:00: Breakfast and time to prepare for your day
10:00 – 14:00: Volunteer shift at the sanctuary, which may include feeding and caring for dogs and cats, cleaning, maintenance, socialization, and enrichment activities
14:00 – 15:30: Lunch break with fellow volunteers
15:30 – 17:30: Free time, additional volunteer activities, or support with outreach and adoption campaigns, depending on the day’s needs
19:30 – 21:00: Dinner and relaxing time at your accommodation, with the rest of the evening free to explore Athens, join social activities, or unwind

Afternoons and evenings are often flexible, giving you plenty of opportunities to discover Athens, participate in group outings, or simply enjoy your free time with new friends.

There are no special qualifications or previous experience required to join the dog and cat sanctuary volunteer program in Athens. Volunteers should have a genuine interest in animal welfare, be willing to participate in all aspects of animal care—including cleaning and maintenance—and be open to working in a team. While you do not need to speak Greek, it is recommended to know some basic Greek words for better integration, but English is sufficient for communication. Volunteers should also be prepared to follow all rules and guidelines provided by the local staff to ensure the safety and wellbeing of both animals and people.

Oyster assesses projects carefully to ensure that they offer high standards of animal welfare and environmental practice. We also check that volunteers understand key points of good practice before working with animals. To find out more, see our animal welfare policy.

Whilst late-availability is possible, we would advise booking as soon as you can to guarantee your ideal dates. Our projects are very popular and spaces can fill up several months in advance, especially for the months of June to September.

Late Spring (May):
Enjoy comfortable temperatures and fewer tourists. May is perfect for exploring Athens’ historical landmarks, local neighborhoods, and outdoor cafés before the summer crowds arrive.

Summer (June to August):
Experience vibrant city life, lively festivals, and long, sunny days. While it can get hot, this is a great time for enjoying Athens’ nightlife, open-air cinemas, and rooftop dining with stunning Acropolis views.

Early Autumn (September to October):
Benefit from mild weather and a more relaxed pace as the busy season winds down. This is an ideal period for sightseeing, cultural events, and experiencing Athens’ outdoor spaces without the summer heat.

Winter (November to March):
Discover a quieter side of Athens with fewer tourists, lower prices, and a cozy, authentic atmosphere. Winter is great for museum visits, local markets, and exploring Greek cuisine, though outdoor activities may be limited by cooler weather.

While most of your essential costs—including accommodation, three daily meals, and airport transfers—are covered by your program fee, you should budget extra for personal expenses. Plan to set aside money for snacks, additional drinks, public transportation (about 3€ per day for travel to your volunteer placement), and any activities or tours during your free time. If your volunteer shift overlaps with meal times, budget approximately US$10 per day to buy food from local shops or cafés. It’s also wise to have a small amount of cash for emergencies and personal spending. Most everyday expenses in Athens, such as local SIM cards, souvenirs, and entrance fees to attractions, are affordable, but your overall budget will depend on your personal preferences and travel plans.

There are cash machines located in the town but you can pay by card everywhere. You should take at least two cards with you, and let your bank know that you will be going away.

Most tourists from outside the European Union can stay in Greece for up to 90 days within a six-month period without a visa and will receive a 90-day tourist stamp on arrival.

Most of our volunteers are independent travellers and you will become part of a group of people from around the world here. It is fine to travel with friends or as part of a small group too however- more the merrier!

You should visit your doctor or travel nurse to find out what vaccinations you will need. Your routine vaccinations will need to be up to date. You should follow your doctor’s advice.

Please see the Fit for Travel website.

Athens is home to several well-equipped hospitals and medical clinics. Should you need medical attention during your stay, you will have access to reputable hospitals located within the city. In the event of illness or emergency, the local team will assist you in reaching a nearby clinic or hospital for treatment. The emergency number in Greece is 112, and high-quality medical care is readily available throughout Athens.

You’ll have access to free and reliable WiFi in the volunteer accommodation’s common areas. Many cafés and public spaces around Athens also offer free internet. The connection is generally good for browsing, emails, and video calls, making it easy to stay connected during your stay.

We would suggest that you download the App Whatsapp prior to arrival so that you can be added into the volunteer group once you are in Athens.

Mobile phone reception in Athens is generally strong and reliable throughout the city, including at the volunteer accommodation. All major networks have good coverage, so you can easily make calls and use data. For added convenience and affordable rates, you can purchase a local SIM card once you arrive in Athens.

Alonissos, Greece, operates on Eastern European Time (EET), which is UTC+2. During daylight saving time (from late March to late October), the island follows Eastern European Summer Time (EEST), UTC+3.

In Alonissos, Greece, you’ll need a Type C or Type F plug adapter for your electronic devices. The standard voltage is 230 V with a frequency of 50 Hz. Most European and UK devices are compatible, but travelers from other regions (such as North America) may need a voltage converter as well as an adapter.

As a volunteer in Athens, you’ll have plenty of free time to explore the city and enjoy Greek culture. Your main volunteer activities usually take place for 3 to 5 hours each day, Monday to Friday, with weekends completely free. This flexible schedule gives you the opportunity to visit historic sites, try local food, relax with other volunteers, or take part in tours and activities around Athens in your downtime.

Supervision will be fairly intensive during the first few days, when you will receive a thorough induction and work-related training. Once you are comfortable with things, you might not always have a supervisor working alongside you, but there will always be staff and other volunteers around to help, and you will always be accompanied for any high risk activities.

Staff at Oyster’s head office and in-country will be responsible for your safety and welfare while you are at the project. This will start from the moment you are picked up from the airport until the end of your project. Before and after these times, you will be outside Oyster’s responsibility and should make sure that you act safely and avoid risk. This is also true if you choose to leave the project during your time off. We will give you plenty of guidance and advice about this.