PAWS Animals Available for Adoption
Adopted PAWS Animals
Adopting from PAWS
PAWS Information
- About PAWS
- Contact Us
- Location
- Hours
- Announcements
- PawPrints Newsletter
- Spay, Neuter, & Medical Assistance
- Education and Resources
PAWS on Facebook
How You Can Help PAWS
- The Many Ways You Can Help PAWS
- Donate to PAWS
- Become a Volunteer
- Become a Foster Home
- Individual and Business Memberships
Welcome Home
Who was the only one to recognize the Greek hero Ulysses when he returned home disguised as a beggar after 20 years? His hunting dog, Argos."The cat always leaves her mark upon her friends."
- Spanish Proverb
Become a Volunteer
Centre County PAWS is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization. PAWS offers volunteers many rewarding opportunities.
Volunteer Application Forms
- • Adult Volunteer Application Form. Fill out this form if you are an adult and would like to volunteer on a regular basis, or if your children would like to volunteer.
- • Youth Volunteer Addendum. Fill out this addendum to the application form if your children would like to volunteer.
- • One-Day Adult Group Form. Fill out this form if you are an adult and part of a group volunteering for a single day at PAWS (for example, a day of service).
- • Request for Community Service Hours. Fill out this addendum to the application form if you are volunteering at PAWS to fulfill a community service requirement.
- • Request to Fulfill a Course Requirement. Fill out this addendum to the application form if you are volunteering at PAWS to fulfill a course requirement.
- • All the Volunteer Application & Agreement Forms. All the forms listed above bundled into a single pdf file.
Volunteer Needs
- Foster Homes: PAWS is always looking for loving homes to provide foster care for our cats, kittens, dogs and puppies until we can find a permanent home for them. For more information about fostering, see our foster home page.
- Adoption and Education Center Workers: We are always looking for volunteers to help at our Adoption and Education Center when we are open to the public (11-4 Saturdays and Sundays, and 5:30-7 pm Mondays). We need people to work at the front desk greeting the public and answering the phone. We also need volunteers to work in both the cat and dog wings helping to clean and prepare the building for the public and to serve as monitors, escorts and adoption counselors. Shifts are generally 2-3 hours long. To apply, email us at newvolunteer@centrecountypaws.org.
- Dog Handlers: We are always looking for volunteers to handle the dogs at our public showings. To apply, email us at dogs@centrecountypaws.org.
- Daily Shift Workers: We are looking for volunteers that can come to our Adoption and Education Center to clean cages and litter boxes, and dog kennels, medicate and feed the cats and dogs, plus play with them. Volunteers working with the dogs also spend lots of time taking the kennel dogs for walks and socializing them. If this sounds like you, email us at newvolunteer@centrecountypaws.org.
- Administrative and Non-Animal Related Activities: There are many volunteer opportunities outside of direct animal care. Please email us at newvolunteer@centrecountypaws.org. Opportunities include:
- • Fundraising and Development
- • Publicity and Event Coordination
- • Building and Grounds Maintenance
- • Spay/Neuter Assistance Program
- • Public Education
- • Marketing and Public Relations
- • Special Projects (pet food label redemption program; liaison to groups wanting to volunteer; database entry and management)
Volunteer Questions, Volunteer Answers
How Do I Become a Volunteer?
The first step is to complete a volunteer application form. Links to the volunteer application forms are on this page. You may either drop a printed form off at the PAWS Center on Trout Road, or you may email the form as an attachment to us at newvolunteer@centrecountypaws.org.
How About Training?
You will need to attend a training session on the cat or dog side of PAWS before you can begin volunteering with the cats or dogs. Please check our website for training dates and times.
What Happens After Training?
You should receive an email from us letting you know that you have been added to our listservs for volunteering on the cat or dog side of PAWS, and inviting you to sign up for shifts. If you have not seen this email, please check your spam/junk folder.
I'm Volunteering for the First Time - What Do I Do?
Please let the other people on your shift know that you are a first-time volunteer. They will be happy to show you the ropes and let you know what to do.
Do I Need to Volunteer on the Same Shift Every Week?
We welcome you to volunteer on a regular basis or an occasional basis, as your personal schedule allows. If everyone trained would volunteer just once a month we could cover all of our volunteering needs.
Can My Child Volunteer?
Yes! Children under the age of 18 who volunteer must be accompanied and supervised by a parent, legal guardian, or an authorized "responsible adult" (21 or older).
As a Volunteer, What Is My Child Allowed to Do?
On the dog side, youth volunteers 13 and older are permitted to work in the kennels. Youth volunteers under 13 may help parents during the Sunday dog showings. The parent must maintain control of the leash when handling a PAWS dog with youth volunteers under 16. These guidelines are based on insurance and liability issues, and are not a reflection on your child's experience or competency with dogs. On the cat side, youth volunteers can help their parents with cleaning shifts. We recommend youth volunteers be at least 10 years of age.
Join the PAWS volunteer team today, and help make a difference to Centre County's homeless animals!