Pet Care Central: Resources for Cats and Dogs
Your one-stop guide to nurturing happy, healthy furry friends
Shelter Policies
Understanding our procedures for strays, emergencies, lost pets, and animal surrenders
If you find a stray animal within the Kearney city limits, you may bring it to the shelter during our business hours. If you are unable to transport the animal or it is outside shelter hours, call the Kearney Police Department at (308) 237-2104 for transport to the shelter.
If you find a stray animal outside of Kearney, but inside Buffalo County, you may bring it to the shelter during our business hours. If you unable to transport the animal or it is outside shelter hours, call the Buffalo County Sheriff's Office at (308) 236-8555 for transport to the shelter.
If you find a stray outside of Buffalo County, you should call your local law enforcement's non-emergency number to report the animal.
An animal emergency is a case of nuisance animals, animal bites, abandoned, or abused animals.
In Kearney, call the Kearney Police Department at (308) 237-2104.
In Buffalo County, call the Buffalo County Sheriff's Office at (308) 236-8555.
Outside Buffalo County, call your local police department.
If your pet is sick or injured and needs medical attention, call your veterinarian. The shelter does NOT offer veterinary services to the public.
If your pet goes missing, call the shelter immediately at (308) 237-7387 and provide a description of your pet and your contact information. If your pet is brought to the shelter, we will notify you as soon as possible.
To claim your pet, prepare the following materials and bring them to the shelter.
- A valid photo ID
- A statement from your veterinarian validating that your pet's rabies vaccination is current
- Payment for stray and boarding fees (and rabies vaccination fees, if applicable)
Nebraska State Law requires all companion animals to be vaccinated against rabies. We are not able to release an animal without proof of current rabies vaccination.
Animal surrenders are accepted by appointment only.
Please call the shelter at (308) 237-7387 to ensure that we are prepared and able to take your pet. Our shelter has limited space and resources, so we may be unable to take your animal right away.
When surrendering an animal, be ready to answer a few questions about your pet to help us locate a new home, including vaccination history. There are applicable surrender fees.