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.

IN-SHELTER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES (Updated 7/8/2022)

Due to a large influx of new volunteers in recent months, we are not currently accepting any new volunteer applications. Please check back regularly as we'll updated this space when we are accepting new volunteers once again. Thank you for your patience and understanding!

community service

Need to complete community service hours to meet a specific requirement? Please complete a Community Service Inquiry Form instead of the Volunteer Inquiry Form. Please note, this section is for one-time or special volunteer project needs, not for a regular volunteer shift at our shelter.

WAYS TO HELP FROM HOME

Become a foster

We are looking for dedicated animal lovers to join our foster team and provide temporary care for our animals in the comfort of their own homes. Fostering with PARL can be a short commitment (a few days to 3 weeks) or a long commitment (3 weeks to a few months) depending on what you are interested in. Learn more

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