Animal Care Associate (Full Time)

Patty Baker Humane Society Naples•Naples, FL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

As an Animal Care Associate, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring our shelter pets are free from stress, fear, and anxiety, while providing a safe and clean environment for them. This position isn't for everyone. It can be loud, smelly, and sometimes stressful. But if making a significant difference in the lives of shelter pets and their future loving families is something you're passionate about, this might be the most fulfilling job you've ever had! The Animal Care team focuses on cleaning, feeding, and providing enrichment for all shelter pets on their way to finding their loving homes. Mornings begin with routine wellness checks and participation in playgroups for dogs and group socialization sessions for cats to ensure all animals receive critical socialization and exercise. Throughout the day, you'll transport animals for medical procedures, monitor their health and behavior, and provide the compassionate care that helps them become adoption-ready. Afternoons are spent spot-cleaning, adding enrichment activities, providing additional socialization time in communal cat rooms and with individual dogs and cats, and assisting other shelter areas depending on daily needs. An ideal candidate for this position loves to flex between team projects and independent work, thrives in a hands-on learning environment, and has a passion for helping people and pets.

Requirements

Enthusiasm for the mission of Patty Baker Humane Society Naples and commitment to animal welfare
Dedication, compassion, and a strong work ethic
High school diploma or GED equivalent
Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs regularly
Comfortable interacting with and handling both dogs and cats of varying temperaments
Strong interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal)
Reliable transportation
Reliable attendance with minimal unscheduled absences
Authorized to work in the United States

Nice To Haves

3-6 months of related experience in animal care (shelter, veterinary clinic, kennel, or rescue)
Knowledge of dog and cat behavior and body language
Experience with dog playgroups or cat group socialization
Previous volunteer experience in animal welfare

Responsibilities

Provide daily care for approximately 120 animals (dogs, cats, and occasionally other small animals) including feeding, watering, and ensuring appropriate bedding and enrichment
Clean and disinfect kennels, cages, cat condos, runs, communal cat rooms, and yards multiple times daily to maintain safe and sanitary conditions
Facilitate and actively participate in daily playgroups for dogs
Facilitate group socialization sessions and manage communal cat rooms
Provide individualized enrichment activities based on each animal's species-specific needs (puzzle feeders, toys, scratching posts, climbing opportunities, etc.)
Conduct daily wellness checks and monitor animals for signs of illness or injury
Administer medications as directed by the veterinary team
Collect urine and fecal samples as needed
Provide excellent customer service to visitors and potential adopters
Represent PBHSN professionally and positively at all times
Transport animals for medical procedures
Monitor animal health and behavior
Provide compassionate care to help animals become adoption-ready
Spot-cleaning
Adding enrichment activities
Providing additional socialization time in communal cat rooms and with individual dogs and cats
Assisting other shelter areas depending on daily needs