If you have contemplated taking a prolonged break on a Greek island, now may be the perfect opportunity – as Brits have been invited to reside in the Mediterranean for free – but with one unusual stipulation.
According to travel experts, Holiday Pirates, applications are now open to make the move in 2026. « You’ll get accommodation, breakfast and utilities, » the company explained in a TikTok video.
But what’s the catch? You must volunteer at a cat sanctuary. « You will be helping look after all the kitties (around five hours, five days per week), » Holiday Pirates added.
The cat sanctuary is located on the island of Syros, a small Aegean island and the capital of the Cyclades and applications are open to anyone willing to volunteer for at least a month. The sanctuary’s website, SyrosCats explains further: « We welcome volunteers – singles or couples, who are fit, mature, healthy and independent and would like to come for a minimum of a month to help with all aspects of cat care.
« If you have training or experience as a veterinary nurse, or feral cat experience, you’d be particularly welcome, but we’re happy to take any cat lovers, so long as you are prepared to get your hands dirty, be reliable, self-sufficient and can turn up on time. »
SyrosCats further points out: « We’re looking for helpers who already have some work experience. If you’re under 25, it’s unlikely you’d be able to demonstrate the level of self-sufficiency and initiative that we need.
« We usually have about four volunteers at any one time, often from very different backgrounds and all parts of the world and you need to be tolerant and accepting of differences in customs, race, gender and belief, that you may encounter here and in Greece. Currently volunteers are house sharing. You would have your own bedroom, but be sharing a kitchen, bathroom and communal living space with two or three other volunteers. »
Arriving to work at 8am, volunteers are required to carry out numerous tasks including feeding outdoor, street and beach cats, as well as giving breakfast to special needs or cage restrained cats. After breakfast, more tasks are required to be undertaken such caring for « sick cats that need cuddles, cats that need playing with or socialising » as well as making trips to vets.
In the evening, volunteers must return an hour before sunset for jobs including cleaning litter trays of any caged cats and checking and topping up their water, helping with medications, cleaning and grooming, and the collecting cats into correct places for the night.
The TikTok video quickly amassed more than one million views, with many users seemingly delighted by the prospect. « I’m packed. Who do I need to speak to? » one person penned in response.
A second wrote: « Ohhhh… I would LOVE this… cats are my passion, I loved seeing the cats when visited Greece – we always left food where we could. I’m a retired breeder so know how care for neonates up to aged cats… pick me, pick me! »
While a third hailed the initiative: « What a fantastic opportunity especially when you are a cat person which l am. » Then a fourth TikTok user admitted: « This has genuinely made me think. I may be changing my life at some point now. »
Considering an application? All the information you need, including the form, can be found here.
