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Our Partners

PAWS is excited to partner with three incredible volunteer organizations for the 2024-25 academic year, Orange County Animal Services, Independent Animal Rescue, and Animal Protection Society of Durham. While all three organizations aim to promote animal welfare, each does this in their own way. The information below will provide some background information about each organization!

Orange County Animal Services

OCAS serves Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough municipalities, as well as the unincorporated areas of Orange County. Their mission is to “deliver cost-effective and integrated sheltering and animal control services that ensure the health, safety and well-being of humans, pets and the community as a whole.” In addition to animal intake services, they offer community spay/neuter programs, rabies clinics, pet food assistance, and veterinary care assistance. OCAS houses dogs, cats, bunnies, and other small animals.

As an OCAS volunteer, your duties may include dog walking, socializing with the animals, grooming, laundry, kennel cleaning, or outreach for events.

Get connected with OCAS:

Website: orangecountync.gov

Instagram: @oc_animalservices

Facebook: @OCASpets or “Orange County Animal Services (NC)”

Independent Animal Rescue

IAR is a nonprofit organization started in 1994 to increase animal welfare through adoption, spay/neuter, and community education. IAR does not maintain a shelter facility and relies on foster volunteers to provide animals with a safe space to live and grow while waiting for their forever home.

IAR is an entirely volunteer run organization and is supported by over 100 individual volunteers, just like you! As a volunteer, duties may include handling animals at adoption events in the community, transporting animals from foster homes to adoption events, and raising awareness and funds for the organization.

IAR’s website also has an awesome resource library with information on spay/neuter, feral cats, vet and medical resources, and more.

Get Connected with IAR:

Website: animalrescue.net

Linktree: @IARDurham

Instagram: @independentanimalrescue

Facebook: “Independent Animal Rescue”

Animal Protection Society of Durham

APS of Durham is a nonprofit organization started in 1970 to help animals in the community and has managed the Durham County Animal Shelter since 1990. APS houses a variety of pets, including the typical cat and dog, as well as hamsters, rabbits, and guinea pigs. Many of these animals live at APS’ shelter facility, while others visit foster homes. As a volunteer, duties may include dog enrichment and/or walking, cat care, treat/toy making, and raising awareness and funds for the shelter.

Also available on APS’ website is a free Lost/Found pet feature that allows community members to post pets they have either found or lost for other community members to view. If you or someone you know has lost or found a pet, this is a great resource to be aware of!

Get Connected with APS:

Website: apsofdurham.org

Instagram: @aps_of_durham

Facebook: “The Animal Protection Society of Durham”