ANIMAL CARE ASSOCIATE
About The Position
Under the direct supervision of the Operations Manager, the Animal Care Associate provides essential daily care to shelter animals while maintaining a safe, sanitary, and low-stress environment in alignment with established protocols and best practices. This role serves as the foundation of Shelter Care operations, ensuring animals receive consistent husbandry, enrichment, and monitoring while supporting positive experiences for adopters, volunteers, and staff. Creating an inclusive and welcoming culture is central to our work. As outlined in our PETS Work Culture Agreement, we uphold Praise, Engagement, Trust, and Support in all interactions.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED required
- Ability to work independently and efficiently with minimal supervision
- Works effectively in a team environment
- Ability to multitask while providing quality care in a fast-paced and high-volume setting
- Effective communication skills
- Maintains a neat and professional appearance
- Compassion and empathy for both animals and owners
- Comfortable in handling animals and making sound decisions based on safety
- Ability to remain calm in a busy or stressful situation
- Ability to manage emotional aspect of work in an animal welfare environment in a positive, professional manner
Nice To Haves
- 1 year of previous experience in an animal related field preferred
Responsibilities
- Uphold the PETS Work Culture Agreement
- Follow Fear Free and Low-Stress Handling practices
- Provide daily care including feeding, watering, cleaning, and monitoring health
- Perform routine cleaning and disinfection per established protocols
- Provide basic enrichment and exercise to reduce stress
- Observe and report health or behavior concerns promptly
- Safely handle animals and seek assistance when needed
- Maintain clean, safe, and secure animal housing areas
- Assist with adoption support, including engaging with adopters, sharing basic animal information, and supporting post-adoption follow-up
- Capture photos/videos and assist with animal profiles as needed
- Maintain a clean and organized work environment
- Support volunteers and new staff with guidance and modeling
- Attend required meetings and trainings
- Perform other duties as assigned
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
