Volunteer Abroad Greece - Nora

Profile

Name: Nora

Age: 19

Project: Cat Protection and Turtle Conservation

Regions: Attica and Kefalonia

Volunteer Abroad Greece: Animal Protection and Turtle Protection Project

Hello! My name is Nora, I’m 19 years old, and I’ve just returned from a two-month adventure in Greece. It all began with the idea of doing volunteer work abroad with animals – preferably cats. And really, what country could be better suited for that than Greece?

Research for my project selection

During my research, I quickly came across Natucate, an organisation that gave me the chance to have two very different but equally amazing experiences. My plan was this: after several days of travelling by train and ferry, I would spend one month at a cat shelter in the Attica region (near Athens). After that, I planned a solo trip across the Peloponnese peninsula before taking the ferry to the island of Kefalonia, where a two-week sea turtle project was waiting for me. Let's get going!

Cat project in Greece

The shelter is a large house in the Attican countryside that is home to more than 70 cats and 6 dogs. Two things in particular fascinated me during my stay: first, the deep love for cats that instantly connected all of us volunteers. Through our daily cleaning duties and countless cuddles, we did everything we could for the sweet four-legged residents – but the long evenings of cooking together, sharing stories, laughing, and playing games also created a wonderful sense of community. I returned home with plenty of stories, better English, and new friendships!

The second thing, of course, were the cats themselves – the real residents of the house :) Every day was sweetened by meows, purring, cuddles, playtime, or the cats’ many quirky antics. One of the most memorable moments was when two other volunteers and I rescued a kitten from the street. Over the course of that month, I got to know so many different feline personalities that I wished I could have taken them all home. And even as a die-hard cat person, I fell in love with two of the dogs there :)

A welcome change from the daily cat routine were the weekly excursions organised by Natucate, such as visits to a donkey farm, a dog shelter, or a short trip to Athens.

Continuing on to the turtle project

After travelling by bus through parts of the Peloponnese, I arrived in Lixouri on the stunning island of Kefalonia, where I dedicated myself to a very different – and much less cuddly – species: the loggerhead turtle. Together with eight other volunteers and three very kind field leaders, I saw a sea turtle in the wild for the first time, found a real nest for the first time, helped relocate turtle eggs for the first time – and even helped tag a turtle!

Daily life and highlights of the turtle project

Getting up early was tough during the first few days, but it was often rewarded with a breathtaking sunrise on the beach. The absolute highlight for me was when another volunteer and I discovered the first nest of the season! Besides the turtles and the fascinating theoretical input, I especially enjoyed the evening activities we did as a group: sunset swims, souvlaki night, henna evening… Kefalonia, as the setting for this project, could not have been more idyllic, and on my days off, I was able to explore by bus, ferry, or bike.

I’m deeply grateful for all these rich experiences, the wonderful people I met, and for Natucate’s support before, during, and after my journey!

Tips for your Greece project

If you’re interested in a similar experience, here are a few tips from me:

• I can highly recommend travelling to Greece in spring (April, May) – the temperatures are very pleasant and everything is in bloom :)

• Pack clothes that can get really dirty (cat project) and really wet (turtle project)

• If you don’t have a car, the best ways to get around are by bus or taxi (especially in Attica)

• Travelling to Greece by train, bus, or ferry is definitely more time-consuming than flying – but it’s also much more adventurous and eco-friendly