Dog Foster Program Assistant

Friends of Oakland Animal Services•Oakland, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

This role serves as a support function to the Dog Foster Manager/Coordinator, assisting in all facets of program implementation. Key duties include maintaining foster supplies, preparing and distributing supplies to fosters, handling returned supplies, and providing daily care for foster dogs within the shelter. The assistant will also prepare dogs for foster placement, assist fosters during adoption hours, administer microchips and vaccinations, aid in animal introductions, and act as a point of contact for foster volunteers and the veterinary team.

Requirements

Associates degree or equivalent from an accredited college or technical school.
Familiarity by training or experience with basic animal care such as handling animals, vaccination, deworming, weighing and giving medications.
Knowledge of basic animal health care, safe animal handling practices, and defensive handling practices for dogs.
Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relations with the public, volunteers, and other employees.
Flexibility, adaptability, aptitude for effectively prioritizing multiple tasks and a strong work ethic.
Ability to recognize symptoms of common animal diseases.
Ability to lift and handle dogs (including large breeds), lift and move supplies such as large dog crates, 50lb dog food bags.

Nice To Haves

One year of experience working or volunteering with an animal care, rescue, or shelter organization preferred.
Experience working with large dogs (handling, basic training, understanding/identifying behavior issues) preferred.
Valid Driver’s License preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve in a support role to the Dog Foster Manager/Coordinator in all aspects of program implementation.
Keep foster supplies and storage areas organized, by maintaining a sufficient inventory, restocking, preparing foster bags, etc.
Provide fosters with all necessary supplies.
Handle returned foster supplies, including laundering beds, cleaning crates, etc.
Daily care for foster dogs/puppies while in the shelter and cleaning of areas where foster dogs are housed while in the shelter.
Prepare dogs to leave for foster, including bathing as needed, preparing a harness, collar, supplies etc.
Assist fosters who attend adoption hours at the shelter e.g. ensuring there is a space set up for them with all the necessary supplies e.g. dog bed, x-pen, etc.
Administer microchips and vaccinations for foster dogs.
Assist with dog-human and dog-dog introductions.
Serve as on-site point of contact for foster volunteers picking up and returning dogs, picking up supplies and/or attending veterinary appointments.
Coordinate and assist veterinary team with care for animals in the foster program.
Communicate with foster volunteers as requested to obtain photos, bios, feedback on behavior, etc.
Support external communication by sharing images, video and stories highlighting foster program successes.
Assist with promotions for dogs who need foster homes, with photos, videos and bios as needed.
Assist with developing and coordinating volunteers to support the foster program, including helping to define what the volunteers would help with, developing volunteer job descriptions, and training volunteers for those specific activities.
Other duties as assigned.