Animal Care Giver

Job Title: Animal Care Giver

Location: Naperville, Illinois

Department: Shelter

Reports To: Animal Care Manager

FLSA Status: Part-time, Non-exempt 

Pay Range: $15.00 per hour (DOE)

About Us:

A.D.O.P.T. is a private, “no-kill,” non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that has found homes for more than 30,000 pets. We provide a temporary, loving home for dogs and cats that no longer have a family of their own. The animals in our shelter have ended up here for a variety of reasons ranging from abandonment, to rescue from an abusive situation, to owner surrender because they no longer are able to take care of them. Our animals are loving, family pets who are desperately awaiting for their forever home.

A.D.O.P.T. was founded in 1989 by a group of dedicated volunteers determined to find homes for animals in need. Over the years, our objective has remained the same: to place animals into permanent, caring homes and advance the humane treatment of animals through education.

Job Purpose:

The Animal Care Giver will work closely with other animal care givers and volunteers to provide complete daily care for the animals in our shelter and excellent customer service to our public clients. Animal sheltering can be emotionally tasking, so compassion for people as well as animals is essential.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Daily care of the animal areas—cleaning/disinfecting, kennels/cages and animal carriers laundry dishes, 
• Daily Feeding, medicating, exercising animals etc.
• Set-up and relocation of animals as requested.
• Timely Completion of all cleaning tasks in order to meet the sanitation standards.
• Restocking of supplies such as food, bedding and cleaning materials.
• Enter information any medical and special needs of individual animals in our animal medical log books daily
• Meet and greet visitors to the shelter and assist with the adoption process as needed.
• Monitor the health and behavior of animals, promptly reporting any concerns to the supervisor
• Administer medications and treatments as directed by the veterinarian
• Assist with grooming tasks such as bathing, brushing, and nail trimming
• Exercise animals regularly, ensuring they receive adequate physical activity and mental stimulation
• Interact with animals in a positive and nurturing manner, providing companionship and socialization
• Assist with the intake and adoption process, including conducting assessments and providing information to potential adopters
• Maintain accurate records of animal care, including feeding schedules, medical treatments, and behavioral observations
• Dog-Specific Animal Care
• Document characteristics and temperaments of assigned dogs on individual cage cards 
• Provide daily enrichment in order to improve behavior and reduce stress of all dog assigned
• Assist in execution of Behavior Plans recommended by Behaviorist 
• Cat-Specific Animal Care
• Document characteristics and temperaments of assigned cats on individual cage cards 
• Provide daily enrichment in order to improve behavior and reduce stress of all cats
• Additional duties as assigned
• Duties and responsibilities may change, and new ones may be added, at any time with or without advanced notice.

Skills & Qualifications

• Be willing to accept direction from the Animal Care Manager 
• Work as a team player with other Animal Care Givers and volunteers
• Possess a basic knowledge of dog /cat breed characteristics, behaviors 
• Possess safe animal handling skills and be comfortable interacting with all varieties and temperaments of dogs and cats while maintaining a safe, calm, and humane work environment.
• Previous experience working with animals, preferably in a shelter, veterinary clinic, or similar setting
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with both animals and humans
• Physical stamina and the ability to lift and carry heavy objects, as well as stand, walk, and bend for extended periods
• Attention to detail and the ability to follow instructions accurately
• Compassion, patience, and a genuine love for animals
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
• Flexibility to work weekends, holidays, and occasional overtime as needed

Working Conditions:

• The worker is subject to both environmental conditions: Activities occur inside and outside. 
• The worker may have contact with domesticated animals.
• The worker may have contact with animal wastes, kennel cleaners and disinfectants, soiled kennels, animal bedding and dishes. 
• The worker may be exposed to loud noises or exposed to zoonotic diseases.

Physical Requirements:

• Medium work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles
• Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
• Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Standing: Remaining upright on the feet, particularly for sustained periods of time
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another
• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to-position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of the upper extremities and back muscles
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; those activities where detailed or important spoken instructions must be conveyed to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly
• Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction, and having the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and making fine discriminations in sound. 
• Repetitive motions: Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.

A.D.O.P.T. provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and strictly prohibits any type of harassment or discrimination in regards to race, religion, age, color, sex, disability status, national origin, genetics, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, gender expression, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, and/or local laws.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of A.D.O.P.T. to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact [name and/or department, telephone, and e-mail address].

Your employment with A.D.O.P.T. is on an at-will basis, meaning either you or the Company can terminate the employment relationship, at any time, for any or no reason, and with or without cause or notice. As an at-will employee, your employment with A.D.O.P.T. is not guaranteed for any length of time.