Volunteer
Volunteers are an integral part of day-to-day operations at the Nebraska Humane Society.
Our 8,000-plus annual adoptions could not happen without the hundreds of dedicated volunteers who help us reunite lost pets, provide education, and care for and enrich the lives of our temporary residents. Your help becomes hope!
You’re invited to join the team and make a difference in the lives of the animals and the people who love them.
Adult Volunteer Guidelines
- Our minimum age for volunteering is 19.
- We ask that you commit to at least six hours per month.
- Please plan on volunteering for at least 6 months.
- If this sounds like the “job” for you, you’ll need to attend a volunteer orientation and the subsequent training day.
- Orientations are scheduled every three months. Upon submitting your volunteer application, you will be notified of the next available orientation schedule.
Once you have submitted your online application (above), it will be sent to our volunteer office for review.
You will receive a confirmation email from the Volunteer Program Coordinator, Tom Simons, with more information, including the upcoming orientation and training dates.
Youth Volunteers
In celebration of our 150th anniversary, the Nebraska Humane Society is excited to announce our new Youth Volunteer Program. The program will be held the last Saturday of each month starting on April 26. People ages 14-18 can sign up for a two-hour timeslot to take part in guided activities that will allow them to be of great help to the animals at NHS.
You may sign up for more than one day, however, you need to fill out an application each time. Keep in mind that there are a limited number of slots. We look forward to celebrating our young volunteers and the journey they will take as they learn more about providing care for the animals! You will only receive a follow-up email if the session is full.
Volunteer Opportunities
Canine Companion: Spend quality time with the dogs by training, enriching, walking and companionship.
Canine Welfare Assistant: Assist in providing clean, warm and comfortable living spaces for our dogs.
Cat Iso: Work to rehabilitate and enrich kitties in our isolation unit recovering from kitty colds.
Critter Care Assistant: Assist in providing clean, warm and comfortable living spaces for our critters. Spend quality time with the critters through enrichment and companionship.
Community Cat Program: Assist in transportation and return of community cats and provide support for community cat caretakers.
Donation Sorting: Help sort through incoming donation items to be utilized throughout the shelter.
Enrichment: Prepare and distribute enrichment items to our dogs.
Feline Welfare Assistant: Assist in providing clean, warm and comfortable living spaces for our cats.
Feline Welfare Specialist: Assist in providing food, water and clean, warm and comfortable living spaces for our cats. Spend quality time with the cats through enrichment, training and companionship.
Foster Care Provider: Want to care for babies, fragile, scared or recovering animals in the calm of your home? Learn more about foster care opportunities
Horse Help: Interested in helping our rescued horses? Read more about the Star Equine Rehabilitation Program here
Humane Education: Work with our humane educators to facilitate programs for young pet-lovers.
Information Desk Volunteer: Front and center at the check in desk in the lobby, you will greet guests and help guide them through their questions.
Kitten Feeder: Feed and socialize young, orphaned kittens to help them transition during the weaning process. Kittens in this area need to be fed 4-5 times daily, so we ask that volunteers in this area commit to a specified time each week.
Laundry: Help get blankets and towels cleaned to be used again in providing warmth and comfort to animals around the shelter. (This is much more fulfilling than your laundry at home!)
Lost and Found: Help reunite lost pets with their families.
Medical Prep Team: Assist our Animal Medical Department with cleaning and care for animals receiving medical care.
NHS Ambassador: You enjoy helping people and initiating conversations with others. You are the Q&A person in the kennels and lobby offering information and helping potential adopters choose who to meet.
Pet Food Pantry: Help distribute food to pet parents at our Pet Food Pantry.
PetSmart Transporter: Help get animals adopted by transporting to local PetSmart locations.
Surgery Assistant: Help the medical team prepare animals for surgery and monitor their recovery.
Surgery Transport: Assist in transporting animals to and from the medical department.
Surgical Pack Preparation: Clean and prepare medical instruments to be used in medical care for the animals.
Training Class Assistant: With additional training, you can assist our trainers as they work with classes to make good dog citizens.
Corporate Volunteer Groups: Volunteer to make enrichment items for dogs and cats, or provide other hands-on help with your group, that doesn't require lots of training! Contact the volunteer coordinator at the below email!
For more information on volunteer opportunities, please email tsimons@nehumanesociety.org or call 402-444-7800, ext. 2222.