Volunteer Corner

Volunteers are an important part of everything we do at C.A.R.E.4Paws. You can make a pawsitive impact by sharing your time and talents at community events, pet wellness clinics, Paws Up For Pets humane education activities, pet food and supply deliveries, fundraisers and more. Learn more below! 

Join Our Volunteer Team

Volunteer Claire Sheehy helping a client with paperwork

Be part of meaningful change in our community. By volunteering with C.A.R.E.4Paws, you can make a real difference for local pet families.

Volunteer opportunities

There’s a place for everyone at C.A.R.E.4Paws. Whether you have a few hours a week or a few hours a month, there are many ways to get involved. Explore the opportunities below and find one that matches your interests, skills and availability.

Community events

Represent C.A.R.E.4Paws at community events, help with our information table and connect with community members while sharing information about our programs and services.

Fundraising events

Volunteer during our annual Happy Tails Celebration & Fundraiser in Santa Barbara in May or at one of our smaller Central Coast “friendraisers.”

Pet Wellness Clinics

Join our mobile clinic veterinary team as we provide access to affordable care. We operate our clinics four to five times per week in cities from Santa Barbara to Paso Robles. 
Fundraising events

Pet food drives

Help during one of our food drive events, or coordinate your own! 

Pick up and distribute pet food donations

Help us pick up and distribute pet food donations to community pantries in Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo County. 

Deliver pet food to community members in need

Help deliver pet food once a month to seniors, veterans and other community mermbers unable to leave their homes. 

Transport foster pets

Help transport pets to foster homes or other temporary care locations as well as veterinary appointments throughout Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. All you need is a reliable vehicle with room for one to three pet carriers or crates, a valid driver’s license and current auto insurance.

Foster a pet in need

We seek dedicated foster families to provide temporary care for animals whose families are navigating a life crisis, such as escape from domestic violence.

What we need from you: 

  • A safe, loving and stable indoor environment for a pet in transition.
  • Transportation to and from veterinary appointments, when needed.
  • Time, patience and lots of love. 

Flyer distribution

Help with posting flyers and announcements about events and programs. 

New volunteers

We are excited to announce the launch of our new volunteer portal and application process. If you’re interested in joining our team, please fill out our volunteer application. You will need to create a “My Impact” account to access the application. If you have any questions, please contact Priscilla at volunteer@care4paws.org.

Existing volunteers

We have created an account for you. Please check your email for your personal invite with login instructions. If you need help to access the portal, please contact Priscilla at volunteer@care4paws.org
We encourage all volunteers to join our private Facebook volunteer group.

Other Ways to Help!

If you’re looking for a short-term volunteer opportunity, we invite you to organize a special project that raises support for pet families in need. For example: 

  • Host a pet food drive with your friends or at your place of work, put on a bake sale, or host a holiday or other type of party with gifts going to C.A.R.E.4Paws.
  • Are you a student? Organize a food drive and gain community service hours for your work.
  • Host a birthday fundraiser on Facebook on your special day and encourage friends and family members to give a gift to help animals.

If you have a project in mind, please email outreach@care4paws.org.

Students pose with their pet food donations weighing over 1000 pounds