ANIMAL CARE TECNICIAN
The animal care technician is responsible for daily kennel duties including feeding, cleaning, grooming, exercise, and basic animal care. Monitor animals’ health and behavior. They also communicate with customers, partners, and volunteers on programs including but not limited to lost and found, adoptions and transfers. Provide education to the community on responsible pet ownership,
Summary:
- Ensure the 5 Freedoms for all animals. Responsible for daily kennel duties related to the care of shelter animals including cleaning of holding areas, assuring that animals receive food and water, bathing and grooming, exercise, and providing humane handling when animals need to be moved. Work daily with animals of varying sizes and temperaments, handling individual animals in a safe, caring, and respectful manner.
- Follow all policies and procedures set in place by the SHS Board of Directors.
- Observe and evaluate animals for signs of illness, kennel stress, or changes in behavior. Report symptoms to appropriate personnel. Performs basic laboratory tests and procedures and administers medications upon guidance from a supervisor or medical personnel.
- Answer phones and greet the public as needed.
- Assist with euthanasia as needed.
- Assist customers on the property with kennel tours, lost and found, adoptions, and need for supportive programs. Respond to questions about specific animals and processes using great customer service techniques.
- Perform adoption counseling conversations to assist customers in meeting animals and making pet owner matches. Discuss responsible pet ownership questions. Conduct dog-to-dog socialization. Assist with conducting behavior and health screenings on incoming animals and communicate/document any changes during an animal’s stay.
- Assist with the intake to placement programs by communicating about animal needs, and length of stay.
- Assist with intake by getting animals placed into clean kennels upon intake and after the exam, and with placement by getting animals and paperwork ready for (reclaim, adoption, and transfer). Communicate with intake and placement partners.
- Maintains accurate records, inputting all information relating to animals, and persons, and updated notes into a computer database. Access information related to animal case files, supply inventories, pharmaceutical use data, and animal inventory. Communicate via radio.
- Cleans vehicles and equipment used in kennel operations and in transporting animals. Assist with inventory and restocking of supplies. Run errands as necessary.
- Provide teamwork by demonstrating an attitude that encourages support and enthusiasm for co-workers.
- Promote a positive relationship with the public, volunteers, staff, and partners while promoting the SHS programs, policies, and philosophies.
- Assist volunteers with procedures and animal handling as needed.
- Follows all established safety procedures and protocols, demonstrating understanding of animal diseases and transmission to other animals and people. Help to ensure a safe work environment by participating in safety measures. Communicate safety or facility challenges.
- Take quality pictures and videos of animals and add them to the computer database.
- Promote a positive relationship with the public, volunteers, and fellow staff while promoting all the society’s programs, policies, and philosophy.
- Represent SHS at adoption, volunteer, and donor events, onsite and offsite as assigned.
- Other duties as assigned
