Interested in volunteering for us?

Volunteering with the Kearney Area Animal Shelter can be a mutually rewarding experience for the pets as well as for you. It is a commitment that will benefit our community, our shelter and our pets! But also understand that volunteering with us is more than playing with puppies and kitties. Our pets are in an unfamiliar environment, so it is important that we keep their stress level low. We also have a lot of work to do, whether it's cleaning, socialization, or office tasks. Because volunteering can be “one more thing” in our already busy lives, we want to make sure that you have all the information you need before making the commitment to help the animals.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. How old do I have to be to volunteer?
A volunteer must be 15 years of age to give of their time to our organization. Children between the ages 10 and 15 may volunteer when accompanied by a parent/guardian who is a registered volunteer.

Q. What are some of the basic requirements to become a volunteer? 
After you submit your application it will take about 4 to 6 weeks to become a fully trained volunteer. There are three steps:

1. Complete an application by clicking here. At the end of the application, register for an Orientation class.
2. Attend Volunteer Orientation, which is required of ALL volunteers. This class is 90 minutes long and is offered twice a month at the Morris Animal Shelter, generally on the 1st Tuesday at 11 am and the third Wednesday at 6 pm. Due to limited class size, pre-registration is required. And because of our small paid staff, individual sessions are not offered. Orientation is designed to give you an overview of the Shelter, our programs, our policies, and what you can expect as a volunteer. You will not work with the pets at this class. Volunteers under the age of 15 are not required to attend this class, but their parent or guardian must attend.
3. The first time you work directly with the cats and/or dogs, an experienced volunteer or a staff member will work with you to show you the ropes. This offers you focused, hands-on training with the cats or dogs and you will learn proper handling techniques, guidelines for socialization, and other protocols for safety for all.

Q. I have a limited schedule, how many hours are required of volunteers?  
Please consider your schedule and time availability before you choose to volunteer to help the animals. After the initial orientation we suggest that you volunteer at least 4 hours a month – this allows everyone to get the most out of their volunteer experience. We have no minimum required commitment other than volunteering at least once every three months.

Q. When can I volunteer?
Volunteers are needed every day. Generally, volunteers can work from 9 am to noon and 1 pm to 5 pm Monday through Friday, 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday and noon to 4 pm on Sunday.

Q. I have a college project that requires only 6 hours of volunteer time. Can I take part in your volunteer program? 
Yes! Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator and we will work with you to make the most of your project.

Q. I have community service hours that have been court ordered. Can I volunteer at the Kearney Area Animal Shelter?
While we do accept volunteers that need to fulfill court ordered community service hours, please note that these volunteers do not have any contact with our pets and will only perform cleaning tasks. In addition, you must fit all of the criteria below:

1. Your offense must NOT involve a violent crime, theft, drugs, or assault.
2. You must not have a law enforcement history with the Kearney Area Animal Shelter.
3. You must be willing to provide all of the information regarding the court order and/or Probation/Diversion officer information for follow up by our organization.