Animal Shelter Attendant

Craven County • New Bern, NC

4d

About The Position

The Animal Shelter Attendant maintains animal housing areas at Craven Pamlico Animal Services Center in sanitary and pleasant condition and supports the welfare and disposition of shelter animals. Duties include cleaning and disinfecting animal housing, providing food and water, administering and documenting medications, observing animals for signs of illness or abnormal behavior, assisting with intake and identification, helping the public with adoption and reclaim processes, and supporting veterinary care and surgical procedures. The role also includes maintaining the surgical suite and equipment, assisting with animal handling and restraint, and performing other shelter cleaning and supply tasks.

The attendant performs administrative duties such as answering phones, greeting visitors, responding to questions about shelter animals and procedures, providing information about rabies vaccination requirements, and assisting with intake, reclaim, and adoption paperwork. The position may also require assistance during a disaster and other duties assigned by a supervisor or management.

Requirements

• High school graduation.
• One year of animal handling experience.
• Knowledge and skills in basic animal behavior and controlling or handling animals with differing temperaments.
• Knowledge of proper restraint methods and ability to gain an animal’s confidence while restraining it.
• Knowledge of cleaning and disinfecting methods and the use and care of cleaning materials and equipment.
• Knowledge of common animal diseases, their symptoms and transmission, medication administration, and assessment of changes in animal status.
• Ability to handle and control animals to help prevent injury to the employee, other people, and animals.
• Ability to operate, maneuver, or control equipment, machinery, tools, and materials used in the job’s essential functions.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, and lift or move heavy animals or objects; significant walking and standing are required.
• Subject to an SBI criminal history record check prior to hire.

Responsibilities

• Clean and disinfect animal housing areas as often as necessary; provide animals with food and water; wash and sterilize bowls; and launder bedding and other items.
• Administer prescribed medications and document them on medical logs; vaccinate animals when assigned and certified to do so.
• Groom and exercise animals as necessary, routinely observe their appearance and activity, and report signs of illness, disease, injury, unusual conditions, or abnormal behavior.
• Receive animals through the shelter intake process and check for microchip identification when needed.
• Ensure animal identification and information posted on kennels or cages match PetPoints documentation; update, or have a supervisor update, animal location and information when changes occur.
• Assist the public with adoption choices, animal introductions, relevant information, and meet-and-greets between prospective adopters’ pets and animals being considered.
• Release animals to owners only after verifying required documentation and vaccinations are complete.
• Assist the public, shelter staff, and Animal Control Officers with animal handling and restraint according to policy and procedures.
• Assist the veterinarian with surgical procedures and maintain and clean the surgical suite and equipment.
• Assist with behavior evaluations and, based on credentials, perform or assist with euthanasia when deemed necessary.
• Clean other indoor and outdoor shelter areas, including picking up trash, sweeping, mopping, and emptying trash, and keep areas safe and clean for animals and the public.
• Maintain equipment and tools in good working condition and return them to proper storage areas.
• Unpack, label, and stock shelter supplies and donations; help monitor inventory and notify the supervisor when supplies need to be ordered.
• Answer phones, greet visitors, and provide information about shelter animals, adoption and reclaim procedures, and rabies vaccination requirements for dogs and cats.
• Assist with intake, reclaim, and adoption paperwork and perform other administrative duties as assigned.
• Assist as needed in the event of a disaster and perform other duties assigned by a supervisor or management.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED