Animal Care and Adoptions Associate

Are you looking for a career where you can really make a difference in the lives of animals?  Consider joining our team of compassionate people who love what they do and don’t  consider work as work! Homeward Bound, Addison County’s Animal Shelter, is looking for  passionate individuals to join our team in animal care and adoptions in a full-time or part time position.

Homeward Bound is a community centered shelter that supports the human-animal bond through compassionate care, adoption, education, and advocacy. We are a 501(c)(3) shelter dedicated to protecting the wellbeing of homeless, abandoned, and abused animals in addition to animals that need to be rehomed.

We serve over 1,200 animals per year, including those who enter the shelter and those who receive services through PetCORE, PetFIX, and other community programs. Our community services are designed to combat pet overpopulation, provide support to low income pet owners, and enhance the human-animal bond through adoption, education, and outreach.

Position Summary:
Homeward Bound’s animal care staff play a key role in the well-being of animals and ensuring a positive experience for the public in the Adoption Center. The team cares for dogs, cats and a variety of small animals, each with unique needs. Animal care staff create a safe, clean, and comfortable environment to help animals acclimate as they transition to new homes. Animal care staff also facilitate the adoption process, guiding adopters through every step, from introductions to expert advice on pet care, ensuring a smooth adoption experience. This role requires compassionate, dependable individuals with strong customer service skills, attention to detail, and commitment to Homeward Bound’s mission.

Daily Responsibilities Include:

• Feeding, watering, and exercising shelter animals.
• Cleaning cages, kennels, and condos daily.
• Keeping shelter clean—doing laundry, animal dishes, sweeping/mopping disinfecting—as needed daily.
• Stocking shelter supplies and donations as needed/directed.
• Administer medication, trim nails, provide flea treatment and comply with any other directives to new and existing resident animals.
• Meet with potential adopters and discuss the best fit for their family.
• Introduce adopters to animals and help them select an animal that is right for them and the animal.
• Educate adopters on how to best get their new animal situated in the home.

• Experience in a veterinary hospital, animal welfare organization, or animal care facility preferred.
• Ability to receive direction, guidance and work well under pressure in emotional situations.
• Commitment to superior animal care and humane treatment of animals.
• Excellent customer service, written, computer, and verbal communication skills.
• Must be available at least one weekend day and some holidays.
• Punctual and dependable

• Physical ability to walk and/or stand throughout a normal workday.
• Bending, stooping, lifting, pushing, and reaching required throughout a normal workday.
• Physical ability to push, pull or carry up to 50 lbs. periodically throughout a normal workday
• Working conditions include working alone, outside in varying weather conditions, and subject to frequent interruptions.

• Competitive pay based on experience
• Medical insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Paid time off
• 9 Paid holidays
• Low-cost veterinary care