Animal Care Associate

Animal Care Associate

Job Type: Part-time Hours: 10-30 hrs. per week, schedule varies 7 days per week/ 7:30am – 9:30pm

Pay Rate: Hourly, Dependent on Qualifications Reports to: Kennel Manager

Job Summary: Provides care for dogs at Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue. Treats animals with kindness and respect. Supports the animals and their quality of life with positive training and handling techniques and always seeks to create an environment of less stress for the animals, resulting in increased adoptability and quality of life while in-shelter. Works closely with other Animal Care Associates, Kennel Manager, Adoption Coordinator, and volunteers. Maintains a clean and sanitary environment for shelter animals.

Specific Job Duties:

• Clean and maintain kennels and animal living areas on a daily basis.
• Provide proper bedding and toys for each animal.
• Provide each animal with food and water following approved feeding protocols.
• Administer medications as prescribed by a veterinarian; follow instructions provided by kennel manager.
• Observe dogs emotional, physical, and mental states daily for signs of increased stress, behavior concerns or health concerns – keep Kennel Manager and Adoption Coordinator informed.
• Communicate with Kennel Manager and Adoption Coordinator observations about dogs’ personalities.
• Provide daily enrichment to animals to reduce stress and increase quality of life and adoptability.
• Escort dogs to and from play yards, and monitor their time in the play yards.
• Communicate with volunteers about dogs’ personalities and behavior.
• Clean other shelter areas. Sweep, take out garbage, wash windows, etc. as required on the daily and weekly checklists.
• Stock all kennel/cleaning supplies as needed.
• Clean and maintain shelter equipment: i.e. carriers, leashes, brushes, etc.
• Wash food and water bowls and put them away in an organized fashion.
• Help as needed with the check-in of new animals and inspection.
• Follow safety rules and best practices when handling dogs.
• Follow proper safety measures and procedures when using chemicals and cleaning supplies.
• Assist other employees, clients, and volunteers in a cheerful and respectful manner as a representative of Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue.
• Help with washing, drying and folding of laundry.
• Help maintain a clean and organized kennel and work area.
• Occasionally transporting dogs to and from vet appointments.
• Follows all Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue policies and procedures.
• Responsible for all other duties as assigned by the kennel manager.
• This position requires flexible day time and evening hours including weekends and holidays.

Skills/Qualifications:

• Have a strong desire to help dogs in-need and make a difference in the lives of the dogs that come into the shelter.
• Enjoy working with and around large dogs.
• Experience with observing dog body language & signs of stress, or willingness to learn these skills.
• Open-minded to learning new things.
• Have a strong sense of empathy and compassion toward animals.
• Strong communication skills.
• Team player and understand the importance of working as a team toward a common goal.
• Able to read, write, understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Able to humanely and positively handle animals under various circumstances.
• Able to work harmoniously and positively with other employees, supervisors, and volunteers,
• Able to stand/walk for long periods of time.
• Able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Able to bend and squat regularly.
• Able to handle large animals (up to 100 lbs. dog).
• Must be punctual, reliable, and responsible. The dogs depend on it.
• Exposure to high level of noise.
• Kennel workers are essential personnel. The ability to report to work in all types of weather is required.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From $16.00 per hour

Expected hours: 20 – 25 per week

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule

Schedule:

• 4 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Holidays
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person

Salary : $16