Volunteer Opportunities
PAWS could not run without all of the great volunteers that support us every single day. This obviously makes volunteering the core of our animal rescue efforts. Because of the constant turn over of families in the Navy, we are always in need of new volunteers.
There are several ways you can lend a hand to the PAWS organization.
If you are interested in volunteering for PAWS please contact us.
Become a Volunteer
At PAWS we have many different levels of volunteering. Take a look below to see if any of them interest you!
Please advise that volunteers need to be 18 years of age or accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times while inside the shelter.
Shift Care Volunteer – The animals of PAWS need people to come in during the morning and evening hours to feed, water, and clean up after them. This opportunity allows you to not only help the animals but spend much needed quality time with them as well.
Loving Care Volunteer – If you are not interested in shift work, the animals always need love, playtime, walks, grooming, and socializing. We encourage this from all of our volunteers.
Adoption Counselors – PAWS always needs dedicated volunteers to be present on Adoption Nights to speak with potential families and help them with making the difficult decision of whether or not to get a new pet.
Dog Walking Volunteer – We run across many people only interested in working with and walking dogs. Because our dogs have to stay in kennels for a large part of the day, we strongly encourage this!
Animal Transportation – PAWS works with many other shelters across Japan and the Kanto Plain. We are always in need of volunteers with large vehicles, willing to go and pick up dogs from certain locations, mainly Haneda Airport.
Shelter Maintenance – Due to the fact that PAWS resides in an older building, we are always making repairs. If you find yourself to be the handy type, we always need help with repairs big and small.
Fundraising/Publicity – Although PAWS has a board of directors that do their best to arrange fundraising opportunities, we still need volunteers to help the events go smoothly and become successful!
Fostering Animals – Sometimes, but not always, PAWS has animals that are in need of a foster home. The reasons could range from medical issues, to socializing issues. We are always looking for loving families!
Neonatal Kitten Fostering – PAWS saves several kittens every year that need to be cared for every few hours at first then just need love and care until they are old enough to be adopted. It’s a huge but rewarding job!
Become a Board Member – PAWS could not run without its volunteers and that includes a board of volunteers who complete all the dirty work! Please check out our Board Members listing for any open positions. All open positions can be filled at any time. If interested please inquire through our email with a written letter of interest.
Can’t Volunteer?
PAWS always needs donations! We purchase many items for the animals throughout the year, but fortunately many of the items they receive are donated. We could not survive without donations of food, toys, cat litter, and many other supplies. We appreciate any help we can get and appreciate everything the Yokosuka community has to offer!
Other Organizations
There are other organizations in Japan that are in need of volunteers, mainly foster families. If PAWS is not in need of foster families, check with these organizations.
