Pet Shelter Advocate

Description

Objective: The Pet Shelter Advocate is responsible for coordinating and implementing the daily operations of the pet shelter and related advocacy services, providing supervision and leadership to pet volunteers and overall sanitation and cleanliness of shelter pet areas.

Pet Advocacy Responsibilities

• Conduct Pet Shelter Intakes with all pet owners to collect background information on the needs of the pets, and concerns and emergency medical and contact information.
• Ensure all pets have required pet license, vaccinations and collar with tag.
• Conduct orientations with all pet owners within 3 days of their entry to shelter. The orientation includes an overview of the pet shelter program services, Pet Shelter Agreement, responsibilities required of all pet owners, consequences for not fulfilling the Pet Shelter Agreement and general safety and care guidelines.
• Assist the pet owner in accessing community resources to help with the health, safety and well-being of their pet including vaccinations, spay/neuter, preventative healthcare examination and medical care.
• Promptly address with the pet owner any concerns about the care of sheltered pet, communicating in a trauma-informed, equitable and inclusive, and accessible manner the expectations for continued pet sheltering services. 
• Report to immediate supervisor and Case Management any concerns that have not been resolved after initial intervention. In the event the pet owner is unable to provide care for pets in accordance with the Pet Shelter Agreement and the pet owner has given consent, make arrangements with local animal shelters for owner relinquishment.
• Work closely with Safehome’s partnering veterinarian clinic to obtain services for the pet, including immunizations, spay/neuter services, treatment and wellness exams.
• Monitor all pets for signs of illness or unusual behavior and report problems regarding health and behavior of the pet to the Shelter Program Manager and appropriate Case Manager.
• With the pet owner’s consent, exercise and socialize pets (walks, supervised off-lease play in fenced area, sitting quietly with pets in or out of pet shelter space).

Pet Shelter Responsibilities

• Ensure complete daily cleaning for all areas used for sheltering pets. This includes disinfecting animal cages and kennels, sweeping and mopping floors, laundering pet bedding, removing trash, ensuring adequate cleaning supplies and equipment are available.
• Ensure the maintenance of clean and organized supply storage areas and adequate on-hand inventory of pet food and essential pet supplies.
• Notify the Maintenance Manager of any facility repairs and maintenance needs.
• Ensure client access to cleaning supplies for the day to day cleaning of their pet’s kennel.
• Remain up to date on agency best practices for preventing the spread of disease among sheltered pets. Implement quarantine procedures and seek medical care for pets immediately in the event communicable disease is suspected or confirmed.

Additional Responsibilities

• In coordination with agency leadership, ensure the pet shelter services fulfill standards for quality, safety and responsiveness, and develop and implement any program improvements including community partnerships, training opportunities and overall quality of the program.
• Work in collaboration with the Volunteer Coordinator to coordinate pet shelter volunteer assistance and activities, and provide supervision and leadership to the pet shelter volunteers.
• Oversee and ensure timely and accurate collection of program evaluation and data required for grant reports including the distribution and collection of resident surveys regarding satisfaction with the pet shelter and related advocacy services and other data. 
• Maintain accurate and complete documentation of services provided to pet owners, pets and shelter residents. Ensure the timely and accurate collection, data entry and compilation of data required for grant and agency reports including number of families served, number of pets sheltered/fostered, daily occupancy rate, average length of stay, services provided, program outcomes, pet owner satisfaction survey results, anecdotal stories about the pet shelter and volunteer hours. 
• Make recommendations to agency leadership regarding program improvements and implement as approval is given. 
• Develop and maintain partnerships with other Safehome staff and community resources to support the health, safety and wellbeing of pets.
• Participate in supervisions, monthly staff meetings and other meetings as assigned.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive and the employee will also perform other job-related duties as assigned. This organization reserves the right to change job duties as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the link between domestic violence and pet abuse and ability to train staff, volunteers and community partners on the link. 
• Ability to be aware of potentially dangerous situations when working with animals.
• Ability and comfort in working with animals of unknown disposition and those who may exhibit medical or other problems, as well as aggressive tendencies; to respond and cope with unexpected animal behavior without assistance; ability to remain calm with animals who are in distress or overstimulated; and demonstrate good judgement in these situations.
• Must be able to tolerate various noise levels: noise level in the work environment varies, may be very quiet or extremely loud.
• Ability to identify and solve problems in a calm and logical manner. Problem solving will include cooperative efforts with clients, co-workers and supervisor.
• Be an active listener with exceptional judgement.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to multitask in a fast paced and sometimes stressful environment.
• Must be responsible, accountable and demonstrate integrity.
• Must be self-motivated and have the ability to work independently.
• Effective computer literacy skills (Microsoft office suite, data entry, basic email skills, client management programs, etc.).
• Must demonstrate sound judgement, prioritize tasks and manage time and resources efficiently.
• Must understand the concept of boundaries with clients.
• Ability to work respectfully and professionally with diverse groups of people and various populations in a culturally competent manner.
• Must be able to stand, walk, bend and stoop.
• Must be able to lift over 40 pounds.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Knowledge of general methods and procedures for managing an animal shelter or kenneling facility preferred.
• Experience in trauma informed, safe and humane animal handling techniques to reduce potential stress and hazards to both animals and handlers preferred.
• Knowledge of and experience working with or in animal welfare agencies; knowledge of local animal welfare resources preferred. 
• Must not have any unresolved emotional issues regarding personal current or past experience with abuse of any kind.