Volunteer with PAWS Chicago
PAWS Chicago is the city’s largest No Kill humane organization, and volunteers are involved throughout its adoption, medical and community programs. For people who want to work with dogs, there are opportunities to walk, socialize and care for them, help prospective adopters meet them and build experience for more advanced handling and adoption roles.
The Pippen Fasseas Adoption Center is located at 1997 N. Clybourn Ave. in Lincoln Park. PAWS also has volunteer opportunities at its Nan & Wayne Kocourek Medical Center and Lurie Clinic at 3516 W. 26th St. in Little Village, along with community and off-site programs throughout Chicago.
Working with Dogs at the Lincoln Park Adoption Center
The main starting point for volunteers who want to work directly with adoptable dogs is PAWS Chicago’s Dog Town program. Level 1 volunteers help with the everyday care and interaction that keeps dogs active, comfortable and ready to meet potential families.
Dog Care and Socialization
Volunteers walk, play with, brush and feed dogs, reinforce basic commands and help keep Dog Town clean with fresh bedding, toys and comfortable living spaces.
Helping Dogs Meet Adopters
Dog Town volunteers also interact with visitors and help prospective adopters meet dogs. That combination of time with the animals and interaction with visitors can help people see more of a dog’s personality outside the kennel.
You do not need to arrive as an experienced dog handler. PAWS provides training for entry-level volunteers, and people who build experience can move into roles involving dogs who need more specialized handling, behavior support or adoption assistance.
Dog Volunteer Training
How the Dog Town Volunteer Program Progresses
Adult volunteers begin with New Volunteer Orientation. Dog Town Level 1 training follows orientation, and new dog volunteers are then mentored during their first two volunteer shifts.
Experienced volunteers can progress to Dog Town Level 2, where they may work with dogs who are fearful, reactive, very strong or otherwise need a more experienced handler. More advanced volunteers may also help with behavior modification, basic obedience and structured training activities.
Additional opportunities can include mentoring newer volunteers, advanced dog handling and becoming a Dog Adoption Counselor. This progression gives volunteers a way to take on greater responsibility as they gain experience with PAWS dogs and procedures.
Helping Dogs at the Medical Center in Little Village
The PAWS Chicago Medical Center is the first stop for many dogs entering the organization. Some move quickly toward adoption while others need surgery, treatment, isolation, recovery time or placement in foster care before they are ready for an adoption center.
Medical Center volunteers may help socialize and care for recovering dogs, assist animal-care staff with cleaning and support foster-program operations. Volunteers with the appropriate training and experience may also become involved in more specialized veterinary-support work.
The Medical Center is a different environment from Dog Town. Volunteers may be around animals recovering from illness, injury or surgery, so following staff instructions and shelter procedures closely is especially important.
Helping Adopters and Visitors
Not every dog-focused volunteer role centers on walking or cleaning. PAWS also relies on volunteers who are comfortable talking with visitors and helping people navigate the adoption process.
As volunteers gain experience, they may help prospective adopters understand individual dogs, facilitate introductions and find a good match. Dog Adoption Counselor is one of the more advanced paths available to experienced volunteers.
Other people-facing opportunities can include visitor support, humane education and community programs. These roles can be a good fit for volunteers who want to help dogs while also working directly with people.
PAWS for Life and Community Outreach
PAWS for Life takes volunteer work beyond the adoption center and into Chicago communities where access to veterinary care, pet food and other resources may be limited. Volunteers help connect pet owners with services intended to keep animals healthy and help families keep the dogs they already love.
Community Outreach volunteers may speak with residents about available resources, support neighborhood events and help people connect with veterinary and spay/neuter services. PAWS also uses volunteers for transportation and other logistical work that helps make those services accessible.
This work extends the impact of volunteering beyond animals already in the shelter. Helping people access food, veterinary care and other support can address problems before a family feels it has no choice but to surrender a dog.
Ages 12–17
Junior Volunteers Can Help Too
The regular adult volunteer program is for people age 18 and older, but teens ages 12–17 can participate through PAWS JV, the Junior Volunteer program.
Junior Volunteers serve alongside a parent or legal guardian. Opportunities are available at both the Pippen Fasseas Adoption Center in Lincoln Park and the Medical Center and Lurie Clinic in Little Village.
The junior volunteer and accompanying parent or guardian complete the required waiver and orientation process before participating in on-site training and volunteer shifts.
Groups and Community Service
Schools, churches, workplaces and other organizations can arrange group volunteer projects with PAWS Chicago. Activities vary according to current needs and may include cleaning, organizing donations and other work that supports shelter operations.
PAWS also allows volunteers to complete community-service hours required by a school, church or other organization. Volunteers are responsible for tracking those hours and obtaining the appropriate staff signatures while they serve.
PAWS Chicago does not currently accommodate court-ordered community service.
Getting Started
Become a PAWS Chicago Volunteer
Adults age 18 and older begin with New Volunteer Orientation. PAWS offers online and in-person orientation options, followed by additional training for the specific volunteer role you want to pursue.
Questions about volunteering can be sent to volunteers@pawschicago.org or you can call PAWS Chicago at (773) 935-7297.
More About PAWS Chicago
Find the Volunteer Role That Fits You
Volunteering with PAWS can mean spending a regular shift with dogs in Lincoln Park, helping animals receiving care in Little Village, supporting prospective adopters or working with pet owners through community outreach. The right role depends on how you want to help and how much training and responsibility you want to take on over time.
Learn more about adoption, locations and dogs looking for homes on our PAWS Chicago page.