A cat rescue charity on the Aegean island of Syros has closed its 2026 volunteer applications after a TikTok campaign generated millions of views and thousands of global applications for a programme offering free accommodation, utilities and breakfast in exchange for five hours a day of hands-on care for more than 60 rescued cats.
Syros Cats, a registered charity operating on the island since the 1990s, requires volunteers to commit to at least one month, working five days a week feeding street and beach cat colonies, cleaning isolation cages, socialising kittens for adoption and administering basic veterinary treatments.
The programme is open to applicants aged 25 and over; those with veterinary nursing credentials or experience handling feral cat populations are given priority.
The applications are now full for the 2026 season.
The charity has placed interested candidates on a waiting list and will reopen registration through its website this autumn for 2027.
The Syros programme is part of a broader phenomenon of Greek island cat sanctuaries attracting international attention — a niche form of volunteer tourism that has grown steadily as content about Greece’s famous feral cat populations reaches global audiences on social media platforms.
Syros itself is known for its cats, which have been cared for by local and international volunteers for decades.
