Intern­ship Abroad Greece: Veteri­nary Medicine Animal Welfare

We offer programmes suitable for:

• Students from schools of veterinary medicine who are interested in shelter medicine or have specialised in it.
• Students in their final year of veterinary nursing who need a work placement, as well as graduates of veterinary nursing schools who wish to develop their knowledge and skills further.
• Students at colleges and universities studying animal-related subjects (animal science, animal behaviour, biology, etc.), as well as students of business programmes who wish to pursue a career in animal shelter management or non-profit organisation management.

Other than that, there are no special requirements. The local team will assign you with appropriate tasks according to your qualifications and level of knowledge.

We recommend that you apply for internships well in advance, up to 6 months before the start date.

The Natucate team will help you prepare for your internship. We will support you in planning your arrival, choosing health insurance, and providing you with detailed project information. Airport transfers, accommodation, groceries to prepare your meals and an organized free time activity one day per week are included in the price. You will also receive instructions and guidance from an experienced supervisor who will be available to answer any questions you may have.
Flights, non-project-related transportation, and additional personal expenses are not included.

Please consult your doctor about possible risks and recommended vaccinations before travelling to Greece. Natucate cannot give you specific medical advice.

In general, it is advisable to be vaccinated against the following diseases before travelling to another country: Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR), Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (whooping cough), Chickenpox, Polio, Rabies and Hepatitis A and B. We also suggest you bring your own personal first aid kit with plasters, antihistamines, electrolytes, diarrhoea medication, painkillers and sufficient personal medication you take on a regular basis.

Authorities such as your country’s Foreign Office can also provide comprehensive travel and safety information.

Yes, all interns must obtain adequate travel health insurance before travelling to Greece. Also, prior to their arrival, the interns will be asked to sign Indemnification and Hold Harmless Agreement with the hosting organisation.

Everything you will require for your work is available on-site. However, for veterinary medicine interns, it is advised to bring your veterinary uniform, stethoscope, and closed working shoes. If you have a driver’s license, it is advisable to apply for an international license and bring it with you. To protect your hands during cleaning work, you can bring work or cleaning gloves (optional).

When packing clothes, remember that they can get dirty. We recommend long-sleeved shirts to avoid scratches from the cats. You don’t need to bring a lot of clothes, as you will be able to wash them on-site. For shoes, we recommend choosing a couple of pairs of comfortable shoes, such as sneakers and flip-flops. You may wish to bring board games or books to occupy your free time. It is advisable to bring a phone charger, a plug converter (if you travel from overseas), any personal medication, sunscreen, insect repellent, a backpack, and a reusable water bottle. Note: We give a sunscreen (SPF 30) and backpack as part of our welcome pack, but you might want to bring your own preferred sunscreen/backpack that suits your needs.

The minimum duration of an internship is two weeks, and the maximum can be flexible to suit the student’s schedule and academic requirements.

Yes, upon completing the internship, you will receive a certificate of participation. Sometimes, your university will give you credit for the programme – we encourage you to contact your university for more details. Our partner will also provide a letter of recommendation if requested.

Pick-up at the international airport in Athens makes your arrival very easy. You will purchase your ticket to Athens, we will help you with the planning, and our partner will be at the airport to receive you!

Upon arrival at your internship accommodation in the Attica region, you will settle into your room and get to know your team and the programme before starting your actual work either the same day or the next morning. As a little extra, you will be greeted with a welcome pack consisting of a T-shirt, backpack, and a surprise gift.

As an intern, you will work five days a week. On working days at the cat rescue shelter, work is split into two shifts, from 9 am to 2 pm and from 3 pm to 9 pm.

The training programme is organised in collaboration with veterinary clinics and private veterinarians, partner shelters, and other animal rescue organisations, to enable you to further learn and build on your existing knowledge and skills.

This means that your working week will be varied, and you and your chaperone will travel to different workplaces together. Sometimes you may be transported to the workplaces by a taxi arranged for you and paid for by the shelter team.

All three programmes work in the following areas:

• Shelter animal care
• Daily shelter operations
• Veterinary services
• Partner shelters and other animal rescue origanisation services
• International animal adoptions
• Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) fieldwork
• Stray care
• Organising community, educational, and fundraising events

The specific tasks you undertake in these areas will depend on your qualifications and skills.

Interns are staying in a modern, comfortable two-storey building. There are four bedrooms (single bed, master, double bed, bunk bed), one shared bathroom, and two private bathrooms. Additionally, the house has a living room with a TV, an outdoor sitting area, a laundry room, and a fully equipped kitchen. All cats are free to roam the house, so be prepared for some kitties who want to share the bedroom with you. For health reasons, some cats may need to be isolated from time to time and may be housed in the bedrooms for a while. WiFi is available for your devices, and clean bedding, towels, blankets, and beach towels are provided. The shelter has four mountain bikes and an SUV that you can use to get to nearby grocery stores.

A selection of mainly vegan and vegetarian groceries is provided by our partner so that interns can prepare their breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Whether you cook for yourself or take turns cooking for the whole team is up to you. Twice a week, you can make your food-related wishes known or join the shopping crew. Although most who stay in the house are vegetarian, you can always ask for sandwich meat, chicken, or fish for meals.

Yes, that is not a problem. Most of the residents are vegetarians or vegans.

On-site communication is in English.

Two days a week are free, with one day of organized activity included in the internship fee. You are welcome to use your time to relax or explore your surroundings.

For your free time before and after work, we recommend that you pack books, cards, and board games. Our partner will arrange weekly group activities such as trips to beaches and archaeological sites, hiking tours, monk seal expeditions, lake wellness experiences, mountain bike tours, sea-kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and other water sports.

Of course, you’ll also have the opportunity to visit historical sites, relax, and explore the lively city of Athens. Head to nearby beaches such as Porto Rafti or Lagonisi (12- 13 km from the shelter) or take a trip to the spectacular Temple of Poseidon (about 24.5km away) or the Temple of Artemis (about 18km away). Also well worth a visit is the Athens Riviera, which stretches along the southern coast of the Attica region and is a perfect place for hikers. Those who want to enjoy the Greek islands can catch a boat from the port of Lavrio (about 20km away) to the island of Kea or explore the Argo-Saronic islands (Aegina, Agistri, Hydra, etc.) by taking a ferry from the port of Piraeus.

Yes, if you have any questions or problems, you can always talk to your local staff. The programme coordinator keeps regular contact with the interns and can be contacted anytime, and another staff member always stays overnight at the sanctuary. Moreover, you can contact the Natucate team 24/7 if you have any concerns.

The currency in Greece is the Euro (EUR). If you are not from a country that uses EUR, you can withdraw money from an ATM upon arrival at the airport. A good rule of thumb is to travel with €100 in cash. Depending on the length of your stay, you will probably spend more, but you don’t need to carry it all in cash. Many shops will accept credit cards.

Check with your bank before you leave to see if your credit card will work in Greece. Expect to pay for activities (including transfers and accommodation outside programme times), souvenirs, extra snacks, and drinks.

The WiFi in the cat sanctuary allows you to use apps like WhatsApp to stay in touch with your loved ones. If your SIM card is from an EU provider, you benefit from free roaming within the EU (check with your provider). If you don’t have an EU provider, you can buy a local SIM card at the airport.

Although the climate in Greece is predominantly Mediterranean, there are local variations throughout the country. During the summer, the weather in most parts of the country is mainly sunny and dry, with occasional rain showers or thunderstorms. Daytime temperatures tend to be hot, and nights are pleasantly warm. Most winters are humid and mild, although the past few winters have set records for snowfall and freezing weather. In the winter months, it can be very windy from time to time.

You must not be under the influence of alcohol or other drugs during working hours; failure to comply with this rule will result in the immediate termination of the internship without a refund. However, moderate and responsible consumption of alcohol after work is permitted.

In order to prevent emergencies, you will be familiarised with essential safety procedures and rules on the day of your arrival. There are several general practitioners and pharmacies for minor health problems. In case of a medical emergency, you will be taken to the nearest hospital.