Kansas Humane Society was founded in 1888 and is one of the oldest non-profit organizations in the Wichita area. We take in over 15,000 animals every year. Community support is essential as we receive no funds from the city, county, state, or United Way and have no affiliation with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). We depend almost entirely on private contributions and adoption fees to fulfill our mission.
Volunteers make a tremendous difference for our organization and the animals we serve. Currently, over 800 volunteers are involved in programs at the Kansas Humane Society and contribute an average of 80,000 volunteer hours annually. Volunteers help in all of our programs throughout the year and tasks range from socializing animals to working with potential adopters. Together, we’re creating a more humane community for all companion animals.
Volunteering Is Easy
- Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age with a valid photo ID to volunteer on their own. Minors 9-15 are welcome to volunteer but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
- Volunteers are required to commit to a minimum of 2 visits per month for a 3, 6, or 12-month term.
- Volunteers must be able to read and comprehend detailed policy and protocol information as well as be able to remember and follow shelter rules.
- Volunteers must be able to understand and fulfill all responsibilities of their role independently.
Becoming a Volunteer
1) Submit a volunteer application
A separate application must be submitted for each minor and adult volunteer.
2) Complete Online Orientation
Login through your BetterImpact account to complete the online orientation.
3) Complete a mentored volunteer session with our volunteer department
A one-time program fee of $15 is due at this time (not required for Foster Only Volunteers). This fee helps us offset the cost of running the volunteer department including volunteer t-shirts.
Volunteer Opportunities
We have numerous volunteer opportunities both in-shelter and from home. Below are some of our most popular areas. A more complete list of our volunteer positions and descriptions is in the volunteer application.
- Animal Interactions - Help our animals stay healthy and happy with dog walking, cat socializing, animal enrichment and training, personality testing, assisting in the spay/neuter clinic, taking animal photos for the website, transporting animals, and more!
- Customer Service - Assist our staff in adoptions, admissions, and the retail store by providing friendly, efficient customer service to all members of the public.
- Foster Parent - Help animals that may be unprepared to be placed for adoption. Participants in the program help raise the standard of health in animals available for adoption, ensure that all puppies and kittens have reached the proper level of maturity before being placed for adoption, and increase the adoptability of animals by determining their behavioral traits and prior training. This helps us save more animal lives by providing essential care for pets prior to adoption and increasing adoption rates. Find out more about becoming a foster parent here!
- Housekeeping & Clerical Support - Volunteers are essential to assisting staff with general housekeeping and clerical duties. This helps us save more animal lives by focusing limited staff resources. Opportunities may include: cleaning windows and floors, assisting with laundry and dishes, stocking areas with bedding, toys, and dishes, and providing clerical support by assisting with various mailings and filings.
- Special Events & Pet Showcasing - Be a part of the overall effort it takes to have a special event on- or off-site. Examples include Woofstock, Pet Independence Days, Santa Paws, and other fundraising events that occur throughout the year. Assist with on-site events or by taking KHS pets to pre-determined locations, events, and nursing homes for extra exposure to increase their chances of adoption. This helps us save more animal lives by increasing adoptions, and community awareness and by assisting raise critical funds for KHS programs.
Dog's Day Out
Our Dog’s Day Out program allows you to take a dog out of the shelter for outings in the community. Outings can include a hike, a car ride to get a pup cup, and visits to dog-friendly stores and locations in Wichita. Participants do not have to commit to a minimum number of outings or undergo the detailed training that in-shelter volunteers are required to take. Participants must be at least 18 years old.
Dog's Day Out FAQs
Why is Dog's Day Out important?
Dog’s Day Out gives our dogs a “break” from the stress of the shelter. This can reduce their stress levels which promotes better behaviors to help them get adopted. Dog’s Day Out also helps us learn about their behavior and personality to help us find them homes faster.
How long can I take a dog out of the shelter?
Outings are scheduled for 4 hours, but you do not need to take the full time. Just let us know your plan when you schedule a Dog’s Day Out appointment.
What can I do on a Dog's Day Out trip?
- Go on a hike
- Play fetch in the backyard
- Visit dog-friendly stores around Wichita
- Hang out with friends and meet new people
What can I NOT do with a dog?
- Go to a dog park
- Interact with other pets in the home
- Permanently keep the dog or give the dog away to someone
Which dogs are eligible for Dog's Day Out?
Adult dogs (ages 6 months and over) who are available for adoption at KHS.
FAQs
Can I get volunteer credit for my school by volunteering at the Kansas Humane Society?
If your school has a program, we can sign off on the appropriate documentation provided by the volunteer after the community service has been completed. Please note that you are still required to commit to volunteering for 2 visits per month for a 3, 6, or 12-month term and that all minors must be accompanied by an adult at all times. For other minor opportunities, please check out our youth education page.
I just filled out the volunteer application. How long before I can start volunteering?
You can expect to be hands-on with the animals within 2 weeks after filling out the application.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering at the Kansas Humane Society to help make a difference in the lives of our animals. If you have any additional questions about our program, please contact our volunteer department at 316-524-9196 or send us an This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.