What should I do if I find a stray animal?

If you find a stray animal within the Kearney city limits, you may bring it to the shelter during our business hours or call the Kearney Police Department (either after hours or if you cannot transport it) at 237-2104 and they will bring it to the shelter.

If you find a stray animal outside of Kearney, but inside Buffalo County, you may bring it to the shelter during our business hours or call the Buffalo County Sheriff's Office (either after hours or if you cannot transport it) at 236-8555 and they will bring it to the shelter.

If you find a stray outside of Buffalo County, you should call your local law enforcement non-emergency number to report

What should I do if I have an animal emergency?

An animal emergency is a case of nuisance animals, animal bites, abandoned or abused animals. In Kearney, call the Kearney Police Department Animal Warden at 237-2104. In Buffalo County, call the Buffalo County Sheriff's Office 236-8555.

IF YOUR ANIMAL IS SICK OR INJURED AND NEEDS MEDICAL ATTENTION, CALL YOUR VETERINARIAN. The shelter does not offer veterinary services to the public.

What do I do if I lose my animal?

If your animal goes missing, call the Animal Shelter (237-7387) IMMEDIATELY. The staff will keep an eye out for your pet and call you if it comes in. Additionally, you may want to call your veterinarian and other local veterinarians (some people will take a stray to their own vet). Make signs and poster of the information about your pet and place them in area locations (gas stations, stores, banks, etc.). Be sure to check the newspaper classified, but remember, it takes time to place an ad. If you decide to run a LOST ad, call your paper soon. You might also want to call the non-emergency number to your local law enforcement office to report the animal missing in case an officer were to find it.

How do I claim my animal from the shelter?

If your animal is brought to the shelter, there is a process to claim it. Since state law requires that all companion animals be vaccinated against rabies, you will need a current veterinarian certificate stating that your animal is current. You will also need a valid picture ID. If you wish to claim your animal during a time we are not open to the public, you MUST call before you come. (The doors are locked during non-adoption hours and we will need to let you in. If you do not call first, you may not be able to get your animal.)

The fees are as follows:

How do I adopt an animal at the shelter?

Adopting an animal from the Kearney Animal Shelter is not difficult, but there is a lot to think about. The information you need is on this page (click here).  Before you adopt an animal, you may wish to sit down with your family and discuss the type of animal you want and for which you can properly care.

Because we want to make sure you will be delighted with the new family member in your home, the adoption process may take a little longer than you think. (Most people take longer to choose a new car than a new pet...and the pet will surely out-live the car!)  When you come to the shelter, be prepared to spend at least an hour.  Of course, you may look at the animals available for adoption at any time the shelter is open for adoptions.

It is a state law that all animals MUST be spayed or neutered when they are adopted from a shelter. The cost of this is included in the adoption fee.

How do I surrender an animal to the shelter?

Animal surrenders from Buffalo County are accepted by appointment at the shelter.  We do require that you advertise the animal in the Kearney Hub for at least 3 days before you call us.  Please call 237-7387 BEFORE you arrive to ensure we are prepared for your pet. Be ready to answer a few questions about your animal to help us locate a new home, including its vaccination history.  There is also a $20 relinquishment fee.

What hours are you open?

The shelter is open for adoptions during the following hours:

Monday - Friday - 1 pm to 5 pm 
Saturdays -10 am to 4 pm
Sunday - 12 noon to 4 pm

If you are picking up your animal or need to surrender an animal during regular business hours (8-5 on weekdays), please call and we will make arrangements to open the doors for you.

If you have lost a pet and want to know if it is at the shelter, you can call 237-PETS.

Who owns the Animal Shelter?

The Scott and Cheryl Morris Animal Shelter is owned and operated by the The Kearney Area Humane Society and supported by donations and earned user fees. A small portion of our operating budget is provided by the City of Kearney and Buffalo County in exchange for housing animals picked up at large or held for court jurisdiction.

How do I donate to the Humane Society?

Financial donations may be made in person, via PayPal, by mail or by telephone. The Humane Society accepts cash, checks with ID, MasterCard and Visa. Any amount is appreciated.

Donations of goods are helpful too. Because we contract with Hills Science Diet pet foods to provide our shelter with food, we are unable to feed any other type of food to our animals. But we are delighted to accept cat litter, beds, toys, and dishes.  These items may be brought to the shelter during public hours.

Address:
3205 W. Hwy. 30
Kearney, NE  68845

Phone:
308-237-PETS