Thank you to our partners whose support makes our work possible
Living abroad and wanting to volunteer?
Volunteering at PAWS-PATAS isn’t just about giving your time; it’s about becoming part of a passionate, hard-working community that shares a love for animals and a desire to make things better. Whether you’re hands-on with the animals or supporting from behind the scenes, there’s a role for everyone.
Volunteering at PAWS-PATAS isn’t always easy - it can be messy, emotional, and hard work. But it’s also full of wagging tails, grateful eyes, and real impact. Come and be part of something special.
Why volunteer?
Since 1989, PAWS-PATAS has relied on the compassion, energy, and dedication of volunteers to keep our shelter running. Every animal that finds a new home, every kennel cleaned, every euro raised—it all happens because people like you choose to get involved.
By volunteering, you’ll:
- Make a real, tangible difference to animal welfare
- Gain new skills and confidence
- Be part of a supportive and friendly team
- Spend time doing something deeply rewarding
Volunteer roles
We have a wide range of volunteering opportunities—some involve direct contact with the animals, while others support the smooth running of the shelter in different ways.
Animal care
Help with the day-to-day care of our dogs and cats:
- Feeding and providing clean water
- Cleaning kennels and catteries
- Grooming and basic health checks
- Socialising, playing, and walking dogs
- Spending quiet time with shy or nervous animals
Shelter support
Behind-the-scenes help is just as important:
- Laundry, washing up and cleaning duties
- Keeping communal areas tidy and organised
- Sorting donations (bedding, toys, food, etc.)
Admin and office help
If you’re organised and detail-focused, your skills can go a long way:
- Responding to enquiries
- Booking appointments
- Updating records and database
- Seeking and applying for grants
Rehoming & fostering support
Assist with the adoption process and animal placement:
- Conducting meet-and-greets
- Assisting with home checks
- Liaising with foster carers
- Helping prepare animals for travel
Media & promotion
Help us tell the stories of our animals and connect them with potential forever homes.
- Photography & Videography: Capturing high-quality photos and videos of animals available for adoption, showcasing their personalities and helping them shine on digital platforms.
- Content Creation for Social Media: Writing engaging and heartfelt posts for social media to promote animals for adoption, share success stories, and raise awareness about shelter needs.
- Website Updates: Keeping the shelter’s website up to date with animal profiles, adoption stories, and relevant shelter updates, ensuring information is current and compelling.
Fundraising & events
Help us raise vital funds and organize events that make a difference.
- Event Promotion: Creating and distributing event-related content through social media, newsletters, and other digital platforms to promote upcoming fundraisers and adoption events.
- Photography & Videography for Events: Capturing moments from fundraising events and adoption drives, helping to raise awareness and celebrate success stories through visual content.
- Digital Fundraising Support: Assisting with the creation and promotion of online donation forms and fundraising campaigns, helping to engage the community and raise the necessary funds for shelter programs.
Fundraising outlets
Our outlets are a vital source of income for PAWS-PATAS, and we are always looking for friendly, reliable volunteers for
- Collecting and sorting donated items
- Greeting and assisting customers
- Arranging collections of donated furniture and appliances
- Driving or helping with deliveries using the PAWS-PATAS van
Your time and support are invaluable, and volunteering is a wonderful way to meet new people while helping animals in need.
Who can volunteer?
We welcome volunteers from all walks of life. Some roles may require a minimum age, specific skills, or training (which we provide). Whether you have an hour a week or a few days a month, your time makes a difference.
How to get involved
If you’re ready to volunteer, we’d love to hear from you! Simply complete our online form below, and we’ll do our best to match you with a role that suits your interests, availability, and experience.
The form also includes a space where you can tell us about any skills you have that we haven’t mentioned, or share your own ideas on how you think you could support the charity. We’re always open to fresh perspectives and new ways of improving the work we do.
