Volunteers Testimonials

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"I want to teach my children to help the most vulnerable.”

Elizabeth Michalak, Peter Ocko and their five children have been volunteering with PAWS/LA for more than 10 years.  They participate in our Super Saturdays and deliver pet food to homebound clients in their neighborhood. The OckoMichalak family has truly made volunteering with our PAWS/LA a family affair.

Read their story...

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“I have been down myself and my pets got me through it. I give back because I believe in the universal cycle flow.”

Marc volunteers at the PAWS/LA warehouse and office in downtown Los Angeles every Thursday afternoon. He loves to interact with clients and he approaches each one with kindness and a smile.

Read Marc's Volunteer Profile...

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“It feels really good to help other people and help someone be happier.”

At only 12 years of age, Jacque embodies everything that’s right about the human spirit: she’s humble, caring, and driven. She set out to complete a Bat Mitzvah project related to animals and she made good on her goal by delivering a carload of pet food and supplies to the PAWS/LA warehouse.

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“PAWS/LA stands for unconditional love –
just like our pets give to us.”

Maria Aragon has been a volunteer with PAWS/LA for many years and is quick to point out that her volunteer work with PAWS/LA is one of the most rewarding experiences of her life. Maria works as a volunteer in the PAWS/LA Food Bank, and it brings joy to her heart to see the extent to which the Food Bank helps people in need.

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Allan (left) with Volunteer Coordinator John Meeks

I get great personal satisfaction from helping an organization as selfless as PAWS/LA.

Allan consistently devotes over 20 hours a week to helping PAWS/LA fulfill its promises to clients. He’s always available for urgent matters that need volunteer services. Allan is a “go-to” volunteer for food deliveries that need to be made in areas that are off the well-trod path. No house or apartment is too far or too out of the way for Allan. In 2016 he received the President's Volunteer Service Award for a Lifetime of Volunteering.

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“The PAWS/LA staff is wonderful.
It makes me happy just to show up.”

Josh came to PAWS/LA as a volunteer to fulfill a Court Ordered Community Service commitment. Instead of disappearing once his 100 hours of Community Service were done, Josh became more and more involved. He continued to volunteer until he graduated from USC.

Ready to become a PAWS/LA Volunteer?

Send us an email
or call 213.741.1950 x 116 to schedule an orientation