Volunteer

🌟 Become a Parma Animal Shelter Volunteer

Make a difference. Change a life. Feel the joy of helping animals in need.

At the Parma Animal Shelter, volunteers are the heartbeat of everything we do. Every clean kennel, every full food bowl, every comforted animal, every successful adoption — it all happens because compassionate people choose to give their time and care.

If you’ve ever wanted to help animals in a meaningful, hands-on way, you’re in the right place. We’d love to welcome you into our volunteer family.

💛 Why Volunteer With Us?

Our volunteers are a dedicated, caring community of animal lovers who work together to ensure every dog and cat receives comfort, safety, enrichment, and love while they wait for their forever homes. Whether you’re cleaning, feeding, socializing, fundraising, or supporting events, your time directly improves an animal’s life.

Parma Animal Shelter is 100% volunteer‑run — there are no paid positions. That means every hour you give truly matters.

🐾 Volunteer Roles

We offer opportunities both inside and outside the shelter:

In‑Shelter Animal Care

Help with daily care routines during our morning and late‑afternoon shifts. Tasks may include feeding, cleaning, laundry, enrichment, and socialization.

Non‑Animal Care Roles

Support the shelter through fundraising, grant writing, Humane Education, community outreach, and special events.

Flexible Scheduling

In‑house shifts are any 2‑hour block between:

• 8:00 am – 12:00 pm, or
• 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Trained volunteers may also sign up for additional shifts through SignupGenius.

👉 Click HERE to view our current volunteer opportunities.

✅ What We’re Looking For

We welcome volunteers who are:

• Reliable and dependable
• Comfortable committing to at least two hours per week (or every other week)
• Ready to work as part of a supportive team
• Passionate about helping animals and their community

This commitment ensures consistency for our animals and for the volunteers who work alongside you.

📋 Requirements & Application Process

• Volunteers must be 18 years or older.
• All volunteers must complete an application and sign a waiver.
• Applications must be dropped off during public hours:
  • Saturdays & Sundays: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
  • Daily: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
• A criminal background check is required.
  • We cannot accept individuals with convictions related to animal cruelty/neglect, theft, drugs, or violence.
• We do not accept court‑ordered, church, or community service volunteers.

Ready to Apply?

You can pick up an application at the shelter or complete the Adult Volunteer Application online:

https://form.jotform.com/253447670131050

❤️ Join Us

Every volunteer helps us move one step closer to finding loving homes for the animals in our care. If you’re ready to make a real impact — and be part of a warm, supportive community — we’d be thrilled to have you join us.