Thank you for your interest in volunteering!

Providence Animal Rescue League is committed to helping animals and the people who love them. The work of our volunteers are essential to our efforts. Volunteers help care for animals, assist the community through free and affordable local events, and spread the word about our vital work. Our volunteers not only make a difference to PARL, but to the entire Rhode Island community.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES (Updated 9/27/23)

PARL is not currently accepting any new volunteers for in-shelter animal care positions. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we catch up on orientations and training for the most recent group of new volunteers. Please check this page regularly to see when we have in-shelter animal care volunteer positions available again. Please reach out to volunteer@parl.org if you have any questions.

If you are interested in any of the following opportunities, please complete email volunteer@parl.org.

LAUNDRY AND DISHWASHING HELP:
Have some time one or more mornings a week to help with laundry and washing dishes? These tasks are vital in keeping animals happy, healthy, and comfortable. (This is also a great way to get to know our staff team and many shelter routines prior to in-shelter animal care volunteer opportunities opening up again in the future.)

PET FOOD PANTRY ASSISTANCE:
Assist community members at our Pet Food Pantry during open hours and/or help pack and prepare food and distribution kits.

BUILDING PROJECTS AND LANDSCAPING HELP:
Help with assorted building projects as needed (may include painting, cleaning, and light carpentry work; and/or help keep our grounds clean and tidy through leaf removal, shoveling, weeding, and landscaping).

COMPLETING REQUIRED COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS AT PARL

PARL has a special volunteer track for those needing to complete Community Service hours for school, court, church, etc. To enroll in this program, you must be at least 18 years of age. We cannot work with volunteers that have been convicted of a violent crime/offense or an animal or child-related crime/offense.

Community Service Volunteers do not participate in any animal-related volunteer tasks. This is because these hours usually need to be completed within a brief time period that does not allow for regular animal care training. If you have to complete hours over a long period of time, you may qualify for volunteer opportunities listed above.
Community Service at PARL entails basic housekeeping (sweeping, mopping, cleaning), laundry, dishes, grounds keeping, assisting in our pet food pantry, and other miscellaneous tasks as needed.
Once an individual has completed their service, they will receive a signed and formalized letter to confirm the hours completed. Each individual is responsible for providing details to the program supervisor regarding service timeline and documentation requirements PRIOR to the start of their volunteer service.
Hours available for Community Service Volunteers are limited to times when our shelter is not open to the public (generally weekday/weekend mornings or Mondays/Tuesdays). We are currently unable to accommodate other times.

If you are interested in learning more, please email volunteer@parl.org.

WAYS TO HELP FROM HOME

donate items to help animals

Organize a donation drive in your neighborhood or office and collect items from our Wish List
Clean out your pantry and linen closets and donate items you may not be using:
- Clean towels of all sizes
- Clean pillow cases and flat sheets
- Cans of baby food (meat flavors), tuna fish, canned green beans/carrots (no salt added), or peanut butter
Save your toilet paper and paper towel rolls and empty tissue boxes and bring them to PARL. We'll use them to make interactive toys and enrichment activities for dogs, cats, and small animals.

Get crafty and make toys for cats, dogs, and small animals

Grow and Donate Cat Grass

Cat grass is nutritionally beneficial for cats and they enjoy eating it. Visit your local pet store and ask about cat grass seeds or growing kits. Once you grow a container of cat grass, you can donate to our shelter cats.

Make a Cat Octopus

Choose a few fabric strips for the toy
If desired, sprinkle a bit of cat nip in the middle of one strip and fold over
Tie the rest of the strips around it to secure the cat nip, making an octopus-like shape

Make a Braided Rope Toy for Dogs

Choose one bundle of strips of fabric.
Separate it into three equal parts.
Begin to braid these parts as tightly as possible so the toy is sturdy.
Thread on tennis balls where desired.
Braid until the toy is slightly longer than your desired length and tie the strands in a knot.

Make Toys from Paper Towel and Toilet Paper Rolls

Click here to learn how to make toys from paper towel and toilet paper rolls

raise money to fuel our mission and programs

Start a Facebook Fundraiser to benefit PARL
Ask for donations to PARL in honor of your birthday, wedding, or special occasion.
If you own your own business, consider running a special campaign in which you donate a portion of the proceeds for a selected product or time frame to PARL

Volunteer