Animal Care Lead

Humane Fort Wayne•Fort Wayne, IN

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Responsive recruiter Benefits: 401(k) matching Employee discounts Health insurance Paid time off Parental leave Are you passionate about animal welfare and ready to lead a team dedicated to providing exceptional care? Humane Fort Wayne is seeking an Animal Care Lead to oversee the daily operations of our Animal Care team. This hands-on leadership role ensures every animal receives outstanding care while supporting staff, volunteers, and adopters in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.

Requirements

At least two years of experience in an animal shelter, humane society, or similar animal welfare organization.
Leadership or supervisory experience with a passion for coaching others.
Strong knowledge of animal behavior, husbandry, and humane handling practices.
Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while maintaining compassion for both people and animals.
Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and lift up to 50 pounds throughout the day.
Comfortable working in all weather conditions and an active shelter environment.

Responsibilities

Lead Daily Animal Care: Supervise and support the Animal Care team, ensuring high-quality care for every shelter animal. Assign daily tasks and adjust priorities based on shelter needs. Monitor animal health, behavior, enrichment, and quality of life. Ensure kennels and animal spaces remain clean, safe, and welcoming.
Support Animal Welfare: Assist with admissions, transfers, foster placements, adoptions, and housing assignments. Participate in enrichment activities, behavior observations, and canine playgroups. Identify medical or behavioral concerns and communicate with shelter leadership and medical staff.
Coach & Develop Staff: Provide daily coaching, mentorship, and training to Animal Care team members. Promote teamwork, accountability, and a positive workplace culture. Help onboard new employees and provide ongoing performance feedback.
Shelter Operations: Maintain accurate documentation and animal records. Assist with scheduling, inventory management, and operational projects. Ensure compliance with shelter policies, safety standards, and animal welfare best practices. Serve as a positive ambassador for Humane Fort Wayne with adopters, volunteers, and community partners.