Animal Care Specialist

Position:             Animal Care Specialist (This position's primary focus is on the cats within the shelter; however, the candidate may be asked to assist with dog care when needed)

Department:         Animal Care

Reports To:          Animal Care Supervisor

Location:             3180 Presidential Dr, Atlanta, GA 30340

Summary:

LifeLine Animal Project is committed to the care and welfare of pets and the people who love them.  The values we exhibit as an organization show the strength of our staff, our leadership and our community.  We expect all employees to exhibit LifeLine’s core values as we complete daily tasks, provide services to clients, and care for our animals.

The Animal Care Specialist is responsible for the daily care, health, and enrichment of all animals at

LifeLine Animal Project’s Community Animal Center. This role ensures that animals receive the

highest level of care, providing them with a clean, safe, and enriched environment.

Animal Care Specialists collaborate with other teams to ensure the well-being of the animals and

prepare them for placement.

Essential Job Functions:

This represents a list of essential job duties.   Other duties or special projects may be assigned as needed.

• Uphold the standards and values of LifeLine Animal Project:

Save Lives -- Build Community -- Be Exceptional Stewards --  Be Courageous -- 

Be Compassionate -- Take Responsibility -- Respect, Embrace and Celebrate Diversity

• Assist with the general care of all animals housed at the shelter and perform a daily walkthrough of animal care.
• Maintain disease control, animal health and sanitation protocols to further LifeLine’s mission to save lives. 
• Perform all animal care activities in compliance with shelter policies and relevant regulations, including those related to health, safety, and animal welfare.
• Assist with vaccinating animals, deworming animals, scanning animals for chips, and looking for ID tags.
• Administer medications or treatments to animals in assigned kennel section(s) daily as prescribed by Veterinarian.
• Safely and properly handle all animals including bite quarantine animals, vicious animals and feral cats.  
• Recognize signs of stress, illness, or behavioral concerns and report them for further assessment or intervention.
• Ensure that animals are receiving appropriate care, including feeding, exercise, and medical needs; as directed by shelter veterinarians or behaviorists.
• Take responsibility in notifying kennel management or veterinary personnel of animals in distress.   
• Assist in the safe handling and movement of animals during intake, transport, and placement within/throughout/outside of the shelter.
• Assist with processing animals and maintain accurate and up to date records of animal care tasks, change in animal status or location, animal behavioral or medical incidents, health records, intake data, and any incidents or concerns; using the shelter’s animal management software.
• Observe and evaluate the behavior of animals during daily care routines, noting any significant changes or potential concerns.
• Exhibit exceptional stewardship by supporting the cleanliness and organization of the shelter’s walkways, animal areas, and work areas and ensure equipment is properly maintained and operational.
• Courageously lead by example, modeling proper animal handling techniques, safety protocols, and compassionate care.
• Provide excellent assistance to customers by exhibiting respect, and celebrating the diversity of those who are interested in adopting an animal or looking for their lost pet.  
• Communicate regularly with other staff to ensure animal care operations run smoothly and challenges are promptly addressed.
• Work collaboratively with other departments to ensure a unified approach to the animals' care and well-being.
• Provide feedback to supervisors on the needs or preferences of individual animals, helping to facilitate their placement.
• Assist in behavioral training or intervention programs as directed by supervising staff or behavior team.
• Willingness to work with all animal types and provide backup support to other shelter teams when necessary.
• Help strengthen and build a community of animal welfare advocates by supporting and engaging the volunteers who aid the animal care teams.
• Continue education by participating in LifeLine’s 40-hour annual training requirement.
• Willingness to participate in cross training with other departments.
• Other tasks as assigned.   

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

• Compassion for animals and the people who love and care for them.
• Ability to serve the public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to stand for extended periods (up to 12 hours a day) and to bend and reach to perform assigned work activities.
• Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs. without assistance.
• Ability to communicate, understand and follow a variety of oral and written instructions/procedures.
• Ability to work well in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Comfortable working with dogs and cats of all sizes, breeds, and temperaments.
• Basic animal medical and behavior knowledge (preferred)
• Ability to follow safety protocols and handle challenging situations with calmness and professionalism.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multiple departments to ensure efficient shelter operations.
• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and remain composed under pressure.
• Ability to interact with impounded dogs, cats and other animals including vicious, stray, sick or injured animals.
• Ability to handle seeing and dealing with animals that have been abused, neglected or treated cruelly.  
• Ability to cope with the emotional impact of possible euthanasia cases. 
• Must be able to work weekends, holidays, and varying shifts based on shelter needs.
• Must have a means of travel that ensures prompt arrival for work shifts. 
• Must be able to pass a background check.

Education and/or Experience:

Minimum of high school diploma or equivalent knowledge and experience. 

Must be 18 years or older. 

One or more years’ experience in animal related field or animal sheltering preferred. 

Fear Free Sheltering preferred.

Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this job, employee may be exposed to unpleasant kennel smells.  May have to handle dogs and cats that are stray, injured, diseased or vicious.