Important note if you are informing us of a sick, injured or abandoned cat!

November 3, 2025 in News

We receive a number of requests every month by concerned visitors to Syros about the plight of cats they encounter. Whilst we do care very deeply about the welfare of all cats and other animals on Syros we are limited in the help and support we can provide. In addition it is also possible that the animal you have encountered may well be known to either us or to one of the many cat guardians or concerned locals around the island. If you do encounter an animal in distress please do contact us, however please read the below to understand what we can do to help and where we cannot.

The situation on Syros

Syros has no society for the prevention of cruelty to animals or state help like you might have in your home country. Any cared for animal you see is done so by a concerned local with limited means or by us, a small charity based in Kini. Our resources are stretched. We care for 180 cats in Kini and collaborate with individuals who care in other parts to Syros. However even between us we cannot support and look after every animal on the island. Cats will have kittens numerous times throughout the year so there will always be cats in need – our mission is never complete!

How we can help

It is unlikely we can take on full responsibility for the ongoing care of a cat, generally our approach would be to collaborate with you to rescue an animal. We can for example:

Lend you a carrier or trap for you to get the cat to the vet.
If it needs a long stay and you are leaving the island we might be able to host it before releasing it back on the streets.
We also can communicate with locals we know in the area who might be able to help you.
We can direct you to friendly and English speaking veterinary services on the island
We can help you understand the legal and bureaucratic requirements should you wish to adopt the cat yourselves

However, importantly if you notify us after you have left the island we simply cannot help. It is likely the cat will move on when you leave and we are too busy to search for it. Every rescuer is stretched financially and for time. This is true for most of the Mediterranean and worth noting for future travel.

How you can help us

Besides simply reporting an animal in distress you could help us by:

You could offer to pay for a sterilising or towards the care of the animal you found
Make a donation to Syros Cats to help support the work we do
Explore the options to permanently adopt the the animal you found

Thank you for your concern for the cats of Syros!