About the Volunteer Program

As the municipal animal shelter for Kansas City, Missouri, KC Pet Project is working to provide sheltering and animal services to the community by placing pets into homes with families, enhancing public safety through animal control services, being a resource to people and pets in our community, reuniting lost pets with their owners, establishing pet retention programs, providing humane education opportunities, and enriching the lives of pets and people in Kansas City to build up and support a more safe and humane Kansas City. Learn more about KC Pet Project.

We would not be able to save the lives of over 14,000 animals each year without volunteer support. More than 2,000 volunteers are proud to join our mission and make a difference for the pets and people of our community. Are you in? Sign up to become a volunteer.

Volunteers ages 7 and up are welcome. However, you must be 16 years or older to volunteer independently. Junior Volunteers (ages 7-15) must be accompanied by their parent/legal guardian at all times through the orientation training process and for all volunteer activities. Learn more about junior volunteer roles here.

Once a volunteer sign-up form has been submitted, the volunteer department team will review the information provided and reach out to you regarding next steps. While we rarely deny someone the opportunity to volunteer with KC Pet Project, if a volunteer does not meet the requirements and qualifications of the program, we are unable to move forward.

Once a determination is made, an email will be sent providing next steps. The email will outline the details of how to sign up for volunteer orientation. Volunteer orientations are held at the KC Campus for Animal Care. Once a volunteer has completed orientation and submitted a signed Volunteer Release of Liability, then the volunteer can begin donating their time to KC Pet Project.

We are flexible and are simply thrilled you choose to spend your free time with KC Pet Project! While we don’t have a firm service requirement, we recommend that volunteers complete a minimum of 3 hours of service each month to stay up-to-date and in-the-know with current shelter practices and protocols. (A lot can happen in a fast-paced environment focused on lifesaving outcomes!).

It is strongly recommended that new volunteers complete a minimum of 4-6 service hours each month for the first 3 months of volunteering.

Please note if you are inactive for more than a year, your account will be deactivated, and you will be asked to complete retraining if you would like to resume volunteering.

Yes, absolutely! We have several activities that do not involve handling animals, as well as remote volunteer opportunities. Check out all of our different volunteer opportunities and see how you can make a difference in the Kansas City community.

Yes, absolutely! We have several remote volunteer opportunities. Check out all of our different volunteer opportunities and see how you can make a difference in the Kansas City community from the comfort of your own home.

Yes. To learn more please visit the Community Service Program section on this page.

Yes. We offer opportunities for groups of varying sizes and ways to get involved. Learn more about volunteer service group opportunities.

Yes. To learn more please visit the One-Time Volunteer Opportunities (Episodic) section on this page.

Yes, we sure do! No previous animal handling experience is needed! We offer a robust training program for working with shelter cats and tiered-color level program for walking dogs at KC Pet Project.

Volunteers are strongly encouraged to carry their own insurance. Volunteers are not covered by workers’ compensation nor insured by KC Pet Project during the performance of their volunteer duties and tasks, including when driving a vehicle or transporting an animal. Volunteers are responsible for their own medical, liability, and auto insurance during their volunteer service.

If you have free time, we have a place for you! We are open 365 days of the year, including holidays, to provide direct care for shelter animals. While we need volunteers every day, we are especially grateful for support in the early mornings for cleaning and on the weekends. While the availability of service hours differ by department and location, volunteers are generally needed Monday through Saturday from 8:00 am – 7:00 pm and Sundays from 8:00 am – 6:00 pm.

You will create bonds with hundreds of animals while volunteering with KC Pet Project, but you will also have the opportunity to learn about what each animal needs to be happy, healthy, and successful in a home. Many of the animals we care for have specific needs or would do better in a home without other pets or children, etc., and may not be a great fit for you and your home. While they may not be a great fit for you, there is likely another family waiting to meet them. Our volunteers have so much love to give to the animals we care for and while it can be bittersweet to see animals leave the shelter, every adoption is a reason to celebrate!

While KC Pet Project is the municipal shelter for Kansas City, Missouri, volunteers do not have to live in Kansas City, Missouri, to volunteer. We have volunteers from all over the Greater Kansas City area! We also have volunteer opportunities to care for cats all across the metro as part of our Petco Cat Habitat Adoption Program.

Yes, we sure do! To learn more about KC Pet Project’s internship opportunities, please visit this page.