Pet care specialist

Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society & D.A.W.G. -

WEEKENDS REQUIRED 8am-5pm

Under the direction of the Animal Care Supervisor, the Pet Care Specialist works to ensure the health, safety and overall well-being of dogs and cats at the shelter, including adoptable animals.

Performs routine cleaning and disinfection of kennels, reports potential problems, assists with care of animals in isolation and implements behavior modification programs as need.

Primary Responsibilities

Performs daily cleaning of kennels, cages and public areas including disinfecting, hosing, sweeping, moving bedding, bedding pallets and cat furniture;

• Cleans outside exercise runs.
• Clears and cleans drain traps as needed throughout facility.
• Cleans dishes and does laundry throughout the day and as needed.
• General grounds cleanup as needed raking, sweeping, etc.
• Conducts routine spot checks and additional cleaning throughout the day.
• Removes and dumps trash bins into commercial size dumpster daily.
• Feeds and waters animals daily as instructed.
• Bathes and grooms animals as needed. Bathing requires lifting dogs into the tub, with assistance if required for large dogs.
• Observes animals and reports any signs of illness or behavioral problems.
• Administers medications when needed as directed by the Clinic Veterinarian.
• Turns out dogs in exercise yards for regular exercise daily.
• Able to safely control on a lead all dogs housed at the shelter. Dogs may range in size from 2 to 120 pounds.
• Monitors animal behavior in the exercise yards and works to prevent injuries.
• Ensures that adoption and boarded dogs remain separate at all times.
• Maintains isolation protocols and procedures when working with animals from other shelters or are the public’s animals.
• Assembles, disassembles and cleans animal carriers, traps and crates; loads crates into overhead storage areas. Crates range in size from cat sizes to very large dog sizes.
• Loads and unloads feed and litter pallets; standard bedding and feed bags weigh 40 pounds.
• Restocks kennel storage areas (both pallets and overhead shelves) with items including bedding materials, canned food cases, dry food bags, cleaning supplies and other stored items.
• Provides support and information to kennel volunteers.
• Implement behavior modification programs as directed.
• Attends required meetings and training.
• Follows kennel work protocols established by shelter manager.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Employment Standards

Knowledge of :

Basic animal care procedures; isolation protocols; Shelter safety protocols and procedures; SYVHS / DAWG operational policies;

customer service skills

Ability to :

Provide high quality, compassionate animal care; relate in a professional manner with staff and the public; problem solve;

work in a conscientious and responsible manner.

Education and Experience :

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Previous animal handling experience preferred

Physical Requirements :

Full mobility of arms and legs, ability to walk on uneven surfaces and / or stand for up to 1 to 2 hours at a time, ability to lift up to 60 lbs.

sitting, bending, stooping, twisting, climbing; no animal allergies'

Last updated : 2024-07-25