Dog socialization walks at PAWS Animal Shelter
Walk and socialize shelter dogs at PAWS Lynnwood to improve their adoptability. Weekend morning shifts, all experience levels welcome.
Why we picked this
PAWS puts real thought into their volunteer training — you'll know each dog's personality before you take them out, which makes the walks feel purposeful rather than just filling a shift.
PAWS volunteers in the dog care program spend two-hour shifts walking, playing with, and providing basic handling to shelter dogs. The goal is simple: dogs who have regular positive human contact are calmer, more confident, and more likely to be adopted quickly. You don’t need prior dog handling experience, but you should be comfortable around medium to large dogs who may pull on the leash.
New volunteers attend a one-time 90-minute orientation before their first shift. The orientation covers safe handling, reading dog body language, and PAWS’s color-coded dog assessment system that tells you what each animal needs most — calm quiet time, energetic play, or leash training practice. After orientation, you can sign up for weekend morning shifts through the volunteer portal on an ongoing basis.
Children under 16 can participate with a parent or guardian. PAWS asks that volunteers not bring their own dogs to the shelter. The Lynnwood location is accessible via Community Transit Route 196 and has a free parking lot. If you want to help but aren’t comfortable walking dogs, PAWS also has cat socialization and small animal care positions available.