Thank you for your interest in volunteering at PAWS. PAWS helps over 8,000 wild and companion animals every year and would not be able to do this without the support of compassionate, dedicated, and long-term volunteers. Each year, more than 1,000 volunteers donate over 50,000 hours of service by providing hands-on care for animals, educating others, providing administrative support, attending outreach events, and much more.

PAWS volunteers report a deep sense of satisfaction from volunteering, with opportunities to contribute to the health and well-being of animals while giving volunteers ongoing training alongside others who desire to take action for animals. Whether it’s volunteering to feed baby wild songbirds, walking dogs or helping execute a successful fundraising event, you can contribute, learn and know you are saving lives by spending your time at PAWS.

At this time we are seeking volunteers who live in the greater-Seattle area only. PAWS cannot accommodate those seeking to fulfill court-ordered community service.

Skip directly to the volunteer application

Youth Volunteer Opportunities
Please note that you must be 18 to volunteer in these positions. If you are a young person under the age of 18 looking to help animals at PAWS and in the community, please see the How to Help section on PAWSkids.org.

Foster Care Program Volunteer Opportunities
PAWS provides home-care for special young or needy animals with a team of extraordinary volunteers in our Foster Care Program. These volunteers welcome animals into their own home temporarily while that animal grows or heals enough to be ready for adoption. If you are interested in helping save lives by caring for animals in your own home, please read about our Foster Care program.

Group Volunteer Opportunities
If you are a member of a group, company or service organization that would like to participate in a one-day volunteer project with PAWS, please visit the Group Volunteer Information page.

All Other Volunteer Opportunities

Behavior Helpline Team: Help keep animals in their homes by providing behavior counseling to the public

Cat City Assistant: Assist the public with all adoption procedures and maintain the comfort of the animals at Cat City

Cat Room Attendant: Assist the public with any questions regarding adoptions and maintain the comfort of each cat in our care

Cat Room Cleaner: Clean each cage in the cat adoption room before opening to the public.

Dog Walker: Walk dogs around our on-site nature trail

Feline Transport Team: Transport cats and kittens to our offsite facilities

Foster Care Program Assistant: Assist the Foster Care Coordinator place neonatal puppies and kittens, including cats and kittens recovering from illnesses, into temporary foster homes

Front Lobby Assistant: Work with Shelter Staff in assisting the public and processing adoptions

Front Office Assistant: Assist shelter management team with clerical projects

Kennel Attendant: Kennel Attendants answer questions from the public about the adoption process and help care for the dogs in the kennels

Kennel Cleaning Assistant: Assist with the cleaning of each dog kennel in the main adoption kennels

Marketing and Web Team: Promote the animals awaiting adoption at PAWS through various means, including taking/posting photos to the website, off-site adoption events, public outreach and related activities

Post-Surgery Clinic Assistant: Assist the veterinary staff with the placement of animals back to the shelter following surgery

Veterinary Clinic Assistant: Assist the veterinary staff with routine clinic operations

Wildlife Bird Nursery Caretaker: Feed and care for orphaned songbirds.

Wildlife Care Assistant: Assist with the care and feeding of sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife.

Wildlife Facility Assistant: Assist the Facility Caretaker in a variety of construction, maintenance, and landscaping projects.

Wildlife Transport Team Member: Pick up animals from Seattle Animal Shelter in Ballard and bring them to PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Lynnwood for care.

Wildlife Work Party Team: PAWS has Work Parties on varying Saturdays or Sundays each month. Assist the Facilities Caretaker with special projects at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center