Ways To Help

Thank you for your interest in helping animals! There are so many ways that you can help animals every day. Download the PAWS Kids’ Action Guide to get started today!

Volunteering

Volunteering is a wonderful way to learn, have fun and give back to your community. At PAWS, you must be 18 years or older to work with or around animals, but there are many other ways to help.

Become a Foster Family

While our hands-on volunteer positions at PAWS have an 18 years old requirement, becoming a foster family is fun for all ages!

PAWS foster families provide a temporary home for kittens, cats, puppies and dogs in need. These families provide food and care to homeless animals that are either too young or sick to be adopted right away. By providing safe temporary homes, PAWS foster families prevent overcrowding at PAWS Companion Animal Shelter, while having lots of fun! Learn more about foster care and get started today.

Day of Service

If you are 10 years old or older, enjoy the outdoors, and aren’t afraid to get a little dirty, PAWS’ Day of Service is for you! We need help spreading wood chips on our dog trail several times a year. You’ll not only help to keep our dog trail in tip-top shape, but you’ll also be helping keep our dogs happy and healthy while they wait for their forever homes. Ask your parent or guardian to sign up to be contacted for our next Day of Service!

Bark in the Park at PAWSwalk

What could be better than spending a day at the park? Spending a day at the park with lots of dogs – while helping the animals at PAWS!

Every summer PAWSwalk raises thousands of dollars for PAWS animals. You can join in on the fun with friends and family, by raising money and walking in the event! You don’t even need to have a dog pal. But if you do, bring ‘em out and have a blast! To learn more, check out our upcoming events.

FUNdraiser or Gift Drive for Animals

As a nonprofit organization, PAWS is able to care for thousands of animals each year thanks to the kind donations from people just like you. You can help by organizing a FUNdraiser, having a Gift Drive, collecting animal supplies, or all three! Download PAWS Kids’ Action Guide for details.

Donate Your Day and have the most FUN

You can donate supplies, you can donate your time, but have you ever heard of donating your day? Each year, PAWS receives donations from very generous kids who decide to ask for donations to help animals instead of presents for their birthday, Bar Mitzvah (or Bat Mitzvah).

The best FUNdraiser happens when everyone gets involved. You can set up and customize your very own PAWS FUNdraiser webpage, so friends and family near and far can support you in donating your day!

Bake some treats

You can also help by holding a Bake Sale for Dogs. A bake sale is good, but a bake sale for dogs is even better!

Host a movie night for animals

Invite friends and family to a movie night with an “admission fee” to be donated to PAWS.

Gift drive for animals

PAWS cares for thousands of animals in need every year, and it takes a lot of supplies! By organizing a gift drive and donating items from our wish list, you will help animals directly. You can also print out PAWS flyers to decorate you collection boxes.

Be a Kind Consumer

A Kind Consumer is someone who uses their purchase power to support animals. Each product we buy sends a message to the company producing it: We like it. We agree with how it was produced and how it affects our environment. We want more!

Download PAWS Kids’ Action Guide for more information on how to be a Kind Consumer.

School Service Credit

To receive school service credit for helping PAWS, make sure your project meets your school’s requirement, and then simply submit a completed Youth Service Projects Form.

Note: You'll need Adobe Acrobat program to view the Youth Service Project Form. Download a free copy from Adobe.

More Organizations to Volunteer for Animals

If you want hands-on volunteer work with animals, the organizations below may have volunteer opportunities for kids. Please contact these organizations to find out more.

Thanks again for your interest in PAWS and helping animals. Share your ideas with your parents and grab a few friends to join you in helping make a difference for animals.