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.

Please note the following requirements to volunteer at PARL:

• Volunteers must be 18+ years of age.
• Volunteers must obtain a BCI from Attorney General Julius C. Michaelson Customer Service Center in Cranston, RI. ($5 fee)
• Volunteers must be able to commit to a weekly shift for at least 8 weeks.

How to Apply

• Step 1: Complete a volunteer application for the desired shift or area of interest. (See available shifts below)
• Step 2: If your area of interest and schedule availability aligns with our needs, you will be contacted to schedule a Volunteer Orientation. The orientation is an introduction to the shelter, the volunteer software, and the overall volunteer program.
• If approved to become a volunteer, there is a $15 non-refundable orientation fee to cover your volunteer manual and t-shirt.
• Step 3: Obtain a BCI and submit it to our Programs Manager, Marcy Baldanza.
• Step 4: Establish your weekly volunteer shift. New volunteers must commit to a weekly shift for 8 weeks (as consecutively as possible). During your first few shifts, you’ll receive training in your department, get to know the staff and facility, and become an integral part of the PARL team.

Fill out a Volunteer Application here!

Volunteer with PARL

Make a Difference for Animals in Need

At Providence Animal Rescue League, volunteers are vital to our mission of providing compassionate care and finding loving homes for animals. Whether you have a few hours a week or just want to help at special events, there's a place for you on our team!

Why Volunteer?

When you give your time to PARL, you're helping us:

• Provide daily enrichment, care, and comfort to animals
• Support adopters and visitors in finding their perfect pet match
• Keep our shelter clean, safe, and welcoming
• Assist at outreach events and fundraisers
• Create a more humane community for people and pets

• Dog Walkers: Provide exercise, love, and enrichment for our adoptable pups
• Cat & Small Animal Socializers: Help cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs feel calm, loved, and adoption-ready
• Animal Support: Assist with cleaning, feeding, and daily animal care
• Cleaning: Help do dishes, laundry or mop.

• Outreach Ambassadors: Represent PARL at events and help educate the public
• Fundraising Events: Help set up, greet guests, or manage games and raffles
• Pet Pantry Support: Assist in organizing and bagging pet food and supplies to families in need

• Teen Internships: Offered seasonally—check back for availability
• One-Day Group Projects: Great for corporate or school volunteer days – please reach out to volunteer@parl.org

 Thank You
Your time, energy, and compassion mean the world to us—and to every animal who walks through our doors.

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

Questions? Contact us at volunteer@parl.org