Foster Assistant

Kentucky Humane Society•Louisville, KY

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Participate in the daily operations of the shelter primarily by working alongside the Foster team in the placement of animals into foster homes. This role involves providing daily care, cleanliness, and enrichment to animals, maintaining common areas, and supporting the foster program's operational needs. The Foster Assistant will also be responsible for customer service, volunteer supervision, and administrative tasks related to animal care and placement.

Requirements

General dog and cat knowledge preferred.
Ability to work independently with little direct supervision.
Great interpersonal skills in person and by phone with clients, staff, and volunteers.
Demonstrated attention to detail, and ability to process paperwork accurately and efficiently.
Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
Humane attitude towards animals.
Ability to manage the emotional aspect of end-of-life services and humane euthanasia, and support staff in high-emotion circumstances.
Accept, support, and represent KHS core values, programs, policies, and procedures.
Intermediate computer knowledge.
Support the usage of approved AI tools when they can improve efficiency and reduce time spent on routine or administrative tasks while meeting quality, accuracy, confidentiality and professional standards.
Ability to lift or otherwise move large animals – up to 50 pounds; full range of motion, including stooping, bending, reaching, etc.
Must possess a valid driver’s license and clean driving record and be willing to drive KHS vehicles.
Background Check required.

Responsibilities

Provide daily care, cleanliness, and enrichment to animals in care and maintain common areas.
Responsible for daily cleaning and sanitation of assigned animal and common areas with emphasis on disease control protocols; provide spot cleaning of animal areas throughout work schedule.
Provide all animals with appropriate housing, bedding, food, and water.
Provide animals with daily enrichment and mental stimulation including in kennel toys and food enrichment, walks for adult dogs, social interaction with humans, and (where appropriate) interactions with members of own species.
Follow and maintain excellent knowledge of organization, cleaning, sanitation, and safety practices to provide a healthy and safe environment for animals and people.
Gain and maintain knowledge of all common shelter diseases and other animal illnesses to be able to identify their symptoms, transmission, and prevention including proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Unpack, sort, and organize donations as needed.
Handle dogs and cats of all sizes, ages, temperaments and needs safely and appropriately.
Assist Foster Program Manager with the daily operations of the foster program, including foster volunteer recruitment, animal placement, documentation, communication, scheduling, and adoptions.
Help to ensure all animals in the foster program receive timely medical care.
Using online software such as Acuity and Airtable, process new applications for foster volunteers.
Maintain a well-rounded knowledge of the shelter population and use that knowledge to match foster volunteers with a KHS animal that will benefit them, the animal, and the shelter.
Assist with various foster-based programs such as Adoption Ambassador, Fospice, etc.
Help maintain inventory of supplies and communicate with Foster Program Manager when supplies are needed.
Transport animals as needed in KHS vehicles as needed.
Assist as needed with maintaining a full and healthy cat colony at the Purrfect Day Cat Café and assist the Working Cat program.
Provide professional, compassionate, stellar customer services to all who visit, call, volunteer, donate or work for KHS.
Cultivate trusting relationships with foster volunteers, which require on-going assistance, coaching, and support.
Answer phone calls, texts, and emails in a polite, courteous, and timely manner.
Assist as needed or directed in supporting foster, set-up, behavior, transport, and other critical shelter operations.
Use shelter software systems and employee communication systems to keep accurate animal inventory, write animal behavior and other memos, and keep abreast of all staff communication.
Work with and supervise volunteers to provide animals and humans with a safe, clean, organized, and pleasant experience.
Communicate with supervisor on duty regarding unusual activities, significant problems or concerns.
Other duties as assigned.