Animal-Friendly Experiences in Crete

If you would like to combine your holidays in Crete with a meaningful animal-friendly experience, visiting a local rescue shelter can be a wonderful addition to your trip. Several shelters around the island welcome visitors, volunteers, and donations, offering the chance to spend time with rescued animals while supporting the people caring for them every day.

Takis Shelter

Located near Ierapetra, Takis Shelter is one of the most well-known animal rescues in Greece. Founded by Takis Proestakis, the shelter cares for hundreds of rescued dogs and other animals.

Visitors can spend time with the animals, help with daily tasks, or support the shelter through donations. It is a unique experience for animal lovers visiting southern Crete.

Heraklion Dog Shelter

Near Heraklion, a very dedicated group of volunteers actively supports the municipal dog shelter, focusing on raising awareness about adoption and helping rescued dogs find permanent homes.

Since the shelter’s main goal is sterilization and reintegration, volunteers try to promote adoptions before the animals are released back into their environment. Every two weeks, the shelter usually opens to visitors on Sundays during the well-known “dog walk” event (“skylovolta”). Volunteers gather there to introduce visitors to the dogs and share information about each animal’s personality and story.

Although the shelter is only about 15 minutes by car from Heraklion city center, it is located in a quiet rural area surrounded by olive trees. It can be a little difficult to find if you have never visited before, but volunteers are often happy to help with directions or even transportation to the shelter.

Gouves Animal Shelter

Located near Gouves, this shelter supports rescued and abandoned dogs with the help of local and international volunteers.

Visitors can walk dogs, spend time with the animals, or support the shelter through donations and supplies. It can be a lovely stop if you are staying in the Gouves or Hersonissos area and looking for a more meaningful activity during your holiday.

Agia Marina Donkey Rescue

Located near the village of Moires in southern Crete, about one hour from Heraklion, this peaceful donkey sanctuary offers a very different kind of day trip. The sanctuary rescues and cares for donkeys that have experienced neglect, abandonment, or years of hard labor. Visitors can meet the animals, learn their stories, and support the sanctuary through donations or sponsorships.

A visit here can easily be combined with an excursion to Matala and lunch or dinner at Koukounari Vegan Restaurant in the nearby village of Pitsidia — making it a beautiful vegan and animal-friendly day trip in southern Crete.

The sanctuary is family-run and survives entirely through donations and support from visitors and animal welfare organizations

Before visiting any shelter, it is always best to contact them directly, as opening hours and volunteer activities may vary depending on the season and the animals’ needs.