Become a Volunteer

How do I become a KCPP Volunteer?

If you are 16 years or older:

Watch our Volunteer Orientation Video
After you watch the Orientation video, you’ll be directed to complete a quick quiz before signing up for your Shelter Tour
Select a location to attend our Shelter Tour:
- KC Campus for Animal Care (KCCAC) (7077 Elmwood Avenue, KCMO 64132)
- Zona Rosa (8721 Terrace, N. Stoddard Avenue, KCMO 64153)
- 95th Petco (11620 W 95th Street, Overland Park KS 66214)
At your Shelter Tour, you’ll tour your volunteer location, review policies and protocols for the organization, and begin your volunteer journey with KC Pet Project!

Junior Volunteer Information (Ages 7-15)

We love our Junior Volunteers! Our Junior Volunteers are able to assist with watering, enrichment, and various operational and sanitation tasks needed around the shelter.

Our Junior Volunteers are not able to physically handle animals themselves, but they are able to assist their parent/legal guardian in doing so. All Junior Volunteers must be accompanied by their parent/legal guardian at all times. The parent/legal guardian is responsible for following policies and procedures, attending animal-handling trainings (we always welcome our Junior Volunteers to also attend!), and ensuring the Junior Volunteer is following rules set forth by the organization.

The adult to child ratio for Junior Volunteers must be 1:1 (one adult to one child).

All volunteer onboarding, and paperwork, must be completed and signed by the parent/legal guardian of the Junior Volunteer.

We are not able to accept volunteers 6 years old or younger.

Can my Work / School / Church Volunteer as a Group?

For more information on group volunteering, or to schedule a visit, please contact our Volunteer Department at [email protected]

Adult Groups

We will schedule a tour and then split your volunteering time between light service (cleaning, laundry and special projects). Our groups are not able to walk dogs, or work one on one with cats, as this requires further training, but we do like to end group visits with a little playtime with on of our adoptable dogs when possible!

Youth Groups (7 years old to 15 years old)

Our opportunities vary. Please contact the Education Coordinator, Alex, at [email protected]. You can also learn more about this opportunity, and see some fun activities you can do at home with your kids, by clicking here.

Frequently Asked Questions

I need community service hours for school. Can I complete them at KCPP?

We would love to have you join us at KC Pet Project, and it’s a bonus that your contribution to our organization will also help you get needed service hours for your school. We do not, however, offer one-time service, or drop-in volunteer opportunities. If you need to complete hours for school, we would love to help you achieve this by becoming a regular volunteer!

Please remember, we do require that volunteers are able to commit to 4 hours a month of volunteering for the first 3 months. If this is not something you can commit to, you can check out our opportunities for Group Volunteering! We love hosting High School, and College groups!

Can I complete court ordered community service at KCPP?

Kansas City Pet Project is happy to work with members in our community who need to complete Court Ordered Community Service (CS). Our CS workers offer staff support to our Canine Care Team, and assist with sanitation and operational needs.

We only offer Court Ordered Community Service at our Main Shelter location (7077 Elmwood Avenue Kansas City, MO 64132), and all interested individuals need to email the Volunteer Program Manager. Please include what your charge is, how many hours you need to complete, and the date you need to complete your hours by.

We are not able to accommodate individuals who have a felony charge, or charges related to sexual misconduct, assault, theft, or animal related offenses. We only accept Court Ordered Community Service for individuals 18 years old or older.

I can't give my time right now, can I make a donation?

Yes! Donations to Kansas City Pet Project help save the lives of the over 10,000 homeless animals we care for every year. Donate here.

You are also able to mail a donation:

Kansas City Pet Project
7077 Elmwood Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64132

Or stop by one of our 3 Adoption Centers to drop one off.

If you’d like to donate items we could use at the shelter, you can do so by visiting any of our 3 adoption centers during business hours. Not sure what to donate? You can order items straight from our Amazon Wish List and have it delivered to our doorstep, or collect donation items from our Shelter Wish List

You can also make some fun at home projects that can really make a difference for our shelter pets!