Description

Position Summary: 

The Animal Care & Adoption Specialist supports Joybound’s mission by ensuring the humane care of animals while providing exceptional service to the public throughout the adoption process. This hybrid role combines direct animal care, behavior enrichment, and medical observation with adopter engagement, education, matchmaking, and adoption facilitation. 

This role balances responsibilities equally between Animal Care and Adoptions, starting each day with hands-on animal care duties (feeding, cleaning, etc.) and transitioning to the Adoption department at mid-day to support peak operational needs. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Interact and communicate with colleagues, volunteers, and the public in a manner that advances a culture of positivity, professionalism, trust, transparency, empathy, and excellence at Joybound. 

Animal Care & Handling 

• Provide daily care, exercise, enrichment, feeding, and cleaning for shelter dogs and cats.
• Administer medications as prescribed by Veterinary Clinic staff.
• Monitor animal health and behavior, reporting signs of illness or distress.
• Assist with behavioral training and follow behavior plans as directed.
• Clean and sanitize animal areas and equipment. 

Adoptions & Public Engagement 

• Guide potential adopters through the adoption process and ensure a positive experience.
• Match animals with suitable adopters based on lifestyle, behavior, and needs.
• Conduct meet-and-greet sessions with animals and potential adopters.
• Educate the public on responsible pet ownership and post-adoption care.
• Facilitate accurate and complete adoption paperwork, fee collection, and data entry. 

Collaboration & Communication 

• Work closely with veterinarians, trainers, volunteers, and other departments to ensure animal well-being and adoption success.
• Participate in off-site adoption events and community outreach programs.
• Promote and maintain a respectful and compassionate environment for animals and people alike. 

Record Keeping & Administration 

• Maintain accurate records of animal care and adoptions in databases.
• Uphold confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Assist with boutique sales using Shopify and help maintain store presentation.     

Requirements

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 

Experience, Abilities and Qualities Required:  

• 6 months in an animal care setting and 1 year of people centered, relationship based service experience, required.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and problem solving skills.
• Comfortable working with diverse populations including volunteers and the general public.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and capable of learning new software.
• Familiarity with dog and cat breeds, behavior, and common diseases.
• Ability to assess animal temperament and match pets with appropriate adopters.
• Affection for animals, concern for their welfare and a willingness to accommodate animals in the workplace.  
• Pre employment background screening required.
• Must have a valid California Driver’s License and must not have more than two at fault incidents in a three year period and no major at-fault violations in the last ten years and must be insured. 
   

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

• Constant exposure to animals and allergens.
• Lift and carry animals/items up to 50 lbs; walk dogs up to 150 lbs.
• Ability to kneel, stoop, bend, and be on feet for long periods.
• Work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Work environment includes constant exposure to animals and animal allergens.
• Tetanus and rabies inoculations are required or must be waived.
• Drive an automobile for extended periods of time. 
   

Hours:  

Part-time, nonexempt position requiring a minimum of 24 hours per week, including evening and/or weekend work. Hours and workdays may vary according to the needs of the department. 

At Joybound, we value diversity and treat all employees and job applicants based on merit, qualifications, competence, and talent. We do not discriminate on the basis of or traits historically associated with race; color, religion, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status), domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.