Position: Dog Caretaker
3 positions available

Please call 814-203-6532 if interested.

Work hours: Various shifts depending on shelter needs. Must be willing to work nights, weekends and holidays when needed.
Typical hours are
7am to 1pm or
5pm to 9pm

Job Duties

Safely and humanely move and/or relocate canines to the various areas of the shelter based on medical or behavioral issues. Bath dogs as needed.

Provide clean water to all canines throughout the day and properly feed at the scheduled times. Periodically provide mental enrichment exercise via food distributing tools or assistance with play groups.

Monitor and observe all canine health needs and administer medications as prescribed by the shelter veterinarian. Communicate animal health concerns and needs to your supervisor.

Working in a team environment, take work direction from your co-workers and supervisors to improve your skill set, safe animal handling practices, or disease management protocol.

Clean all interior and exterior canine areas of the shelter daily to include public hallways, kennels, isolation, outdoor shared areas, and runs. Daily cleaning includes, but is not limited to the scooping of urine, feces, vomit or other canine excrement, sweeping and mopping of all canine-related areas, replacing bedding and toys as needed, washing, drying, folding and restocking clean laundry.

Complete deep cleaning of all kennels as needed, in addition to daily cleaning tasks. Deep cleaning includes, but is not limited to the spraying/scrubbing all surfaces, disinfecting, and rinsing of the kennels and runs.

Maintain a clean and organized work space. Promptly discard worn or torn linens, toys, food, or trash to minimize odors, transmittal of illness, and cluttered work areas.

Assist potential adopters by honestly answering questions about the animals, energy level, temperament, behaviors, and any known health issues. Recommend the adopters spend time with specific animals that may be a good match for the household.

Provide information and educate visitors about the animals housed at the shelter. Provide friendly direction and monitor visitors and volunteers interaction with the animals to ensure proper interaction and a safe environment.

Provide timely updates to the communication chat to relay any information 

Collect all trash and take to dumpster prior to closing the shelter for the night.
Change solution in scoop bucket.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Confidence and ability to work with canines of varying sizes and weights. Shelter animals can be unpredictable or aggressive. Knowledge and observation of canine posturing behaviors are preferred but not required.

Ability to properly handle and dispose of animal waste, hazardous chemicals/materials and sharp objects.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma, or equivalent.

Ability to maintain a professional appearance and demeanor both within the rescue and the public.

Ability to approach staff, volunteers, and the public to openly discuss the shelter, its mission, and the animals in a friendly, honest, and professional manner.

Must have reliable transportation and be dependable. The shelter animal’s health and welfare depend on your attendance.

Valid driver’s license required or reliable transportation

Paychecks are every two weeks.

Physical demands and working environment

Ability to work in an emotionally taxing field – a positive attitude and sense of humor are essential.

Work is performed in an animal shelter. There is a potential for exposure to environmental factors such as temperature variations, high noise levels, zoonotic diseases, animal waste, strong odors, hazardous chemicals or chemical materials requiring OSHA Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), anesthetics, sharp objects, and potential hostile persons and/or dangerous and unpredictable animals.

Ability to multi-task in a constantly changing environment.

Must be able to work assigned shifts, including weekends, and holidays.

Ability to stay standing or active during an entire shift; lift and carry objects and animals; lift, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, push, pull, and other strenuous activities.

This position has a 90-day probationary period.
This is an at-will position.