Volunteer On-Site

Please click the links below to view the details about each individual program, an outline of the onboarding process, and links to sign up for orientation

REQUIRED COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM
*If your hours are required, you do not need to sign up for orientation*
REGULAR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM (AVAILABLE TO 13 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER)
READ TO A SHELTER PET PROGRAM (7-12 YEARS OF AGE)
ON-SITE GROUP SERVICE PROJECTS
AT HOME PROJECTS

Volunteer Job descriptions

Adoption Counselor
No weekday evening or Saturday shifts as of 5/2026

Dog Walker
Pieloch Pet Adoption Center (no weekday evening or weekend shifts available 5/2026)
Admission & Assessment Center (no weekday evening or Sunday shifts available 5/2026)
Green Dog Socializer
No weekday evenings or weekend shifts as of 5/2026.
Canine Post-Adoption Support
Cat Companion
No weekday evening positions available as of 5/2026
Cat Caretaker-Adoption Center
Position at Pieloch Pet Adoption Center 6500 S 70th
Cat Caretaker-Goodwill Cat Connection
Position available only at Goodwill Cat Connection 1731 O St. (Only AM shifts available)
Feline Enrichment
No weekday evening or weekend shifts available as of 5/2026.
Feline Post-Adoption Support
Pet Pantry Transport/Support
No shifts available as of 5/2026.
Pet Pantry Assistant
No shifts available as of 5/2026
Critter Socializer
No weekday evening shifts available as of 5/2026
Critter Caretaker
No Friday or Sunday shifts available as of 5/2026.
Special Events
Humane Education Facilitator
Isolation Cat Companion
Veterinary Department Support
Stransky Vet Center (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday shifts available, all others filled as of 5/2026)
Admissions and Assessment Center (Monday morning and afternoon and Tuesday afternoon shift open, all others filled as of 5/2026)

Volunteer FAQ

What are the age requirements to volunteer?

Volunteers 7-12 years of age are eligible to take part in our "Read to A Shelter Pet" program. This program invites kids (and their parent/guardian) to practice their reading skills on our resident cats! This enriches our feline's experience at the shelter and allows a safe way for younger kids to make an impact in animal welfare.

Volunteers 13-15 years of age with a parent/guardian are eligible to take part in our standard volunteer program. There are a variety of volunteer roles to choose from.

Volunteers 16 years of age and up are eligible to volunteer independently.

What is the onboarding process like?

Attend a new volunteer orientation.

Submit an application.

Complete a volunteer onboarding call to learn details about the opportunities available to you specifically based on your availability, interests, and experience. Set up a first day and training schedule.

Train in your volunteer role.

Why do I have to attend orientation before being able to apply to volunteer?

We've decided to introduce an "orientation before application" onboarding approach because of our commitment to delivering an exceptional volunteer experience. Our aim is to ensure both our team members and animals receive the best support possible. While we acknowledge this might seem like a hurdle for some prospective volunteers, our priority is to foster a sense of mission and organizational connection before focusing on service specifics. Our trials with the orientation process have shown that volunteers who attend orientation beforehand feel more integrated with staff and peers, grasp their potential impact better, and generally have a more fulfilling experience. Our intent is to invest time in providing comprehensive education, training, and mentorship to all volunteers, ensuring their unique talents are utilized to the fullest and they feel fully supported in their volunteer endeavors.

Is there a minimum time commitment to volunteer?

Certain on-site volunteer roles, especially those that involve direct handling of the dogs, require a significant amount of training and therefore to be considered for these roles we ask for a commitment of at least 6 months of volunteer work with a dedicated weekly shift. Many of the other available on-site volunteer roles are more flexible and require a minimum commitment of at least 3 months of 4 hours of service.

After completing an orientation you will receive a link to submit an application and all job descriptions for available roles. These job descriptions include time the time required commitment for each role.

Do you offer court ordered community service?

Yes, but there are some restrictions based on the offense. Please visit our Required Community Service page.

Do you offer one-time volunteer opportunities?

We are unable to accommodate one time volunteer opportunities for individuals.

We do offer one time group volunteer projects for local companies and clubs. Please view the "on-site group projects" link above.

Are volunteers covered under CHS insurance?

Volunteers are strongly encouraged to carry their own insurance. Volunteers are not covered by workers’ compensation nor insured by Capital Humane Society 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.

What are the on-site volunteer hours?

Volunteers at our adoption center are typically at the shelter between the hours of 8AM-7PM Tuesday through Friday and 8AM-5PM on Saturday through Monday.

Volunteers at our intake center are typically at the shelter between the hours of 8AM-5PM Monday through Friday and 8AM-4PM on Saturday and Sunday.

What is the dress code for volunteers?

Volunteers should plan to wear closed-toe and closed-heel shoes (no sandals, flip-flops or slip-ons), long pants or jeans free from holes or tears, and a t-shirt that covers the shoulders, midsection and back. Volunteer attire must include a Capital Humane Society volunteer uniform shirt or an appropriate t-shirt accompanied by volunteer name tag, must be worn at all times while actively giving service to Capital Humane Society.

Volunteers who give service outdoors should plan appropriately for anticipated weather, including sunscreen, cooling cloths, jackets, coats, gloves, etc.

Do you offer job shadowing opportunities for students?

We are able to accommodate a limited number of job shadowing opportunities each school year. Job shadow students observe and interact with our Animal Welfare staff as they complete direct care duties to the animal at the shelter including cleaning, feeding, medicating, facilities cleaning, etc. Job shadowing often does not include direct interaction with animals.

For job shadow or work experience requests please call 4024414483.

I want to volunteer but I'm under 7 years of age, how can I help?

Although we are unable to offer on-site volunteer opportunities for kids under 7 years of age, we always encourage interested individuals to consider hosting fundraisers and donation drives outside of the shelter environment as a great way to support the people and pets of Lincoln!

Please check out the "At home projects" link above for some fun and easy ideas or consider getting a group together for a Humane Education presentation where you can learn more about being a good advocate for all animals.

Are there any other volunteer opportunities for kids 7-12 years of age?

At this time the only volunteer opportunity that we are able to offer to kids 7-12 years of age is our Read To A Shelter Pet Program. In the future we plan to developed additional volunteer roles for this age range!