Opportunities
🌟 Volunteer at Parma Animal Shelter
Your time can change a life — for an animal and for you.
At Parma Animal Shelter, volunteers are the heart of everything we do. Every clean blanket, every comforted cat, every walked dog, every adoption — it all happens because compassionate people choose to give their time and energy to animals who need them.
If you’ve been looking for a meaningful way to make a difference, we have a place for you.
🐾 Why Volunteer With Us?
We are a 100% volunteer‑run shelter, caring for animals 365 days a year. That means every volunteer plays a vital role in helping dogs and cats feel safe, loved, and ready for their forever homes.
Whether you want hands‑on animal care or prefer behind‑the‑scenes support, your contribution matters.
🐶🐱 Our Biggest Volunteer Needs
Below are the many ways you can help — from direct animal care to community outreach. No matter your skills or comfort level, there’s a role where you can shine.
🧼 Animal Care (Cats & Dogs)
Our most essential need.
Volunteers help with daily care routines, including:
- Feeding and fresh water
- Cleaning kennels and cat rooms
- Providing enrichment and socialization
- Monitoring behavior and wellbeing
This is the core of our shelter operations and directly impacts every animal’s comfort and happiness.
🧺 Laundry & Cleaning Crew
Behind every cozy bed and clean room is a volunteer who made it happen.
Tasks include:
- Washing and folding laundry
- Sanitizing dishes, litter boxes, and supplies
- Keeping animal areas clean, safe, and welcoming
This role is perfect for people who love helping behind the scenes.
🛎️ Front Desk & Public Greeting
Be the friendly face that welcomes our community.
Front desk volunteers help with:
- Greeting visitors
- Answering questions
- Learning and sharing shelter policies
- Helping people fill out paperwork
- Assisting families searching for lost pets
If you enjoy connecting with people, this role is a wonderful fit.
🏡 Fostering Opportunities
Open your home to animals who need extra care.
We especially need fosters for:
- Kittens and mama cats
- Kittens needing bottle‑feeding
- Cats who need socialization
- Dogs or cats recovering from medical procedures
- Animals who need short‑term respite from the shelter
Fostering saves lives — it’s one of the most impactful ways to volunteer.
✍️ Grant Research & Writing
Help secure funding that keeps our shelter running.
Volunteers assist with:
- Researching grant opportunities
- Drafting proposals
- Gathering required documentation
If you enjoy writing or research, this is a powerful way to support our mission.
🎉 Fundraising & Events
Support our shelter before, during, and after events.
Opportunities include:
- Event setup and cleanup
- Selling raffle tickets
- Staffing tables
- Helping with community outreach
- Brainstorming new fundraising ideas
These roles are fun, social, and essential to keeping our shelter funded.
📣 Promoting Our Animals
Help our pets get seen — and adopted.
Volunteers can assist with:
- Sharing adoptable animals on social media
- Helping with photos or bios
- Representing the shelter at community events
- Spreading the word about our mission
If you love storytelling or social media, this is a great fit.
✅ What We Look For
We welcome volunteers who are:
- Reliable and dependable
- Comfortable committing to a consistent schedule
- Compassionate toward animals and people
- Willing to learn shelter procedures
- Ready to be part of a supportive team
Whether you give two hours a week or help at special events, you make a difference.
📋 Ready to Join Us?
Becoming a volunteer is simple:
- Complete an application
- Sign the required waiver
- Attend training for your chosen role
Volunteers must be 18 years or older.
❤️ Make an Impact Today
Every volunteer helps us move closer to our mission: giving every animal safety, comfort, and a chance at a loving home. If you’re ready to be part of something meaningful — and join a community of caring, dedicated animal lovers — we’d be thrilled to welcome you.
