VOLUNTEER AT PAWS
What is like volunteering at PAWS?
If you are seeking to complete court-ordered community service hours, Please click below for more information or call 850-243-1525
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are essential to the well being of animals at PAWS. Whether you want to work hands-on with dogs and cats, help at events, or support the shelter with behind-the-scenes tasks, there’s a place for you to make a difference. Every volunteer helps improve the lives of homeless pets and brings them closer to finding a loving home.
Animal Care and Enrichment
Provide daily care for shelter animals, including grooming, enrichment, and exercise, while helping maintain clean, safe spaces and ensuring every animal receives the attention, compassion, and care they need.
Clinic Helper
Assist our clinic team by preparing treatment areas, restocking supplies, maintaining clean workspaces, and helping ensure animals are comfortable and ready for care.
Open your home to an animal in need and provide temporary care, comfort, and love while they wait for their forever family.
Help support fundraising events and community outreach efforts by assisting with event setup, guest engagement, and activities that raise awareness and support
for our mission.
Doggy Dates
Give a shelter dog a break from the kennel with a walk or outing. These one-on-one adventures help reduce stress and highlight each dog’s personality for potential adopters.
Help organize donations, sort merchandise, and support daily operations at the PAWS Thrift Shop.
“Seeing how excited and engaged the dogs are during playtime makes me feel like I am making a positive impact in their lives. It’s the highlight of my week!
Ashlee, Play Yard Volunteer
Group Volunteering
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Volunteer Service Partner
at Panhandle Animal Welfare Society!
Our Volunteer Service Partner program allows organizations to send a small group to help around the shelter. While the projects won’t involve direct animal handling, they cover a range of tangible services that support our mission in truly impactful ways.
Questions? Please contact TrinaS@paws-shelter.org for more information on our group volunteer opportunities.
We sincerely appreciate all offers of group volunteering. For more opportunities to get involved with PAWS, please consider other impactful ways to help our animals, such as hosting a donation drive or exploring individual volunteer roles.
Program Guidelines
· Donations are appreciated to help support the animals and the work of PAWS
· Maximum group size: Up to 10 individuals, all participants must be 18+
· Time requirement: Ability to complete a 2–4 hour service project, based on shelter needs
· Limited availability: Due to high demand, we can host two groups per month on a first-come, first-served basis
What to Expect
· A meaningful, on-site volunteer teambuilding experience that directly supports the pets and people of our community
· A staff-led introduction to PAWS' mission, plus a guided facility tour with Q&A
· A hands-on experience with tasks such as grounds and landscaping support, facility cleaning, laundry, dishes, organizing, and other evolving needs of the shelter
· A group photo and social media shout-out (company tag included, if applicable)
· Volunteers should wear comfortable clothing, appropriate for getting dirty, and nonslip, closed-toe shoes
· Every participant must complete a volunteer application, including the name of the group they are volunteering with. This is required for liability purposes.
· PAWS will provide bottled water and all necessary supplies for assigned tasks
Already a PAWS volunteer? Click here to login to your Information Center.