Animal Care (Full-time)

Since 1984, we’ve dedicated ourselves to ensuring every animal has the quality of life they deserve – a life worth living. Now, we go beyond our walls to help create a more humane community for pets and the people who love them.

Asheville Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We do, however, hold the County contract for animal sheltering. This means that we are the open-admission shelter for all Buncombe County animals.

As the only open-intake animal shelter in Buncombe County, we're always here for the animals in our community. The Buncombe County Animal Shelter is located next door to Asheville Humane Society's Adoption Center and serves as a point of entry for all found strays or animals surrendered by their owners.

Position Summary:

The Animal Care position is responsible for the direct care of the animals housed at the Buncombe County Animal Shelter and Asheville Humane Society Adoption Center. Duties include but are not limited to, cleaning animal areas, feeding, watering, medicating, enriching, and walking. This position also works closely with AHS Volunteers.

This position requires the ability to stand for long periods and sufficient manual dexterity to use animal handling and cleaning equipment on a regular basis. It requires the ability to stoop, bend, reach, and lift items weighing at least 50 pounds to a level of 4 feet high and the ability to handle dogs weighing up to 150 lbs. This position also requires exposure to loud noises.

Schedule: The Animal Care position is a full-time (40 hours per week) position located on the Animal Care Campus. The schedule for this position is Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and responsibilities include assisting with loading animals for surgery. 

Compensation & Benefits: The compensation for Animal Care starts at $15.45/hour. AHS is pleased to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees that includes: medical, dental, and vision insurance, a Simple IRA plan with up to 3% company match, 18 days of PTO in the first year, paid holidays, pet prescription discounts, and more! Benefits are available after 60 days of employment.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for maintaining a working knowledge of all animals at the Shelter and Adoption Center.
• Ensure that every animal has the Five Domains met consistently.
• Follow all cleaning protocols, medicating protocols, and safe animal handling procedures.
• Daily cleaning of all animal areas, which includes laundry, dishes, and mopping public areas as needed.
• Monitor animal care supply inventory and equipment or building repairs and report as necessary.
• Assist in maintaining the overall cleanliness of the buildings and grounds.
• Assist with properly storing and inventorying delivered supplies, equipment, and donations.
• Responsible for responding to departmental requests that may require animal care assistance.
• Responsible for reporting animal temperament/behavior and medical/health concerns to the appropriate department.
• Understand euthanasia policy and follow proper communication protocols.
• Responsible for assisting the Medical and Behavior Departments with handling, restraining, moving, and medicating animals.
• Attend mandatory staff training and meetings as assigned.
• Successfully complete the Fear Free Shelter course within 90 days of hire.
• Collaborate with volunteers to support AHS goals, ensuring clear communication, guidance, and shared responsibility in executing tasks and projects.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Basic computer knowledge.
• Ability to work weekends and holidays as needed.
• Ability to properly utilize the shelter software.
• Ability to apply proper, safe animal handling skills and knowledge of individual animal temperament.
• Ability to work with volunteers and co-workers in a professional manner.