Volunteer

Our success as an organization in trying to provide a safe haven for the homeless and unwanted pets in Kern County is almost entirely dependent on a team effort between Kern County Animal Services, and the community we serve. That team effort can include simply being a responsible pet owner, spaying or neutering your pets, gaining an awareness of the resources available to help others be responsible pet owners, and yes, helping to provide care for shelter pets. Without our Volunteers, we simply could not provide an adequate level of daily care for the hundreds of animals trusting us in our facilities at any given time. 

Volunteering will help you to make new friends, the two-legged and the four-legged kind! Connect with wonderful, like-minded people that want to make a difference too! When you give the gift of your time, love and dedication, you will receive more than just the satisfaction of knowing that you helped save a life, you will get plenty of purrs and wet kisses from some furry friends!

Dedicated volunteers are critical to our goal of saving lives. Prior to the 2020 pandemic, volunteers donated nearly 35,000 hours, which is equivalent to approximately 17 staff members and a dollar value of nearly $820,000.

If you are already a registered volunteer and are needing to schedule, change, or cancel a shift, that can be done here.

What Do Volunteers Do?

Volunteers help in many ways, including assisting staff with feeding, cleaning and caring for the animals; fostering animals that are too young, sick or injured to be adopted; clerical projects; lost and found support, and off-site adoption and special event support.

We want to make it as easy as possible for you to volunteer with KCAS. We also want to allow you the freedom to perform the tasks that bring you the most joy, and the tasks that deliver you the most satisfying feeling of helping shelter pets. The greatest areas of need we have in providing care, are those tasks that need to be done every day. From basic cleaning and feeding to dog-walking and play yard activities!

Ready To Help Some Pets?

Step 1: If you are 18 or older, submit an online volunteer application.

Step 2: Once your application is accepted, you will receive an email that includes the next steps necessary so that you can help us care for shelter pets. Please allow a minimum of 2 weeks from the time your application is submitted for a response.

For more information, please email animalservices@kerncounty.com.

To register for volunteer shifts or events, click here. 

Note:  Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate students under the age of 18. However, if you are under 18, you may find other interesting and educational volunteer opportunities available at the following volunteer matching websites.

www.volunteercenter.info

www.volunteermatch.org