Animal Care Attendant

Animal Care Attendant

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Operations Manager, the Animal Care Attendant is responsible for the overall care of all animals being temporarily boarded, including supporting physical and behavioural health, maintaining cleanliness and hygiene of animals and the environment, and providing food and enrichment.. Responsibilities may vary based on current boarding needs.

Essential Duties

• Observe animal appearance and activity for general physical and mental condition, and note any obvious signs of illness, disease, or discontentClean and disinfect boarding rooms, animal supplies, and related areas of the building
• Provide gentle social contact and enrichment activities for all animals on site

Major Duties

• Follow all shelter and clinic protocols
• Unpack, label, and stock supplies and donations
• Ensure animals and animal areas are kept clean and odour-free
• Monitor and record animal behavior and support behavioural wellness by providing social contact, enrichment, and training in accordance with animals’ needs
• Recognize and record any unusual conditions or abnormal behaviour in shelter animals
• Report signs of illness, disease, injury, or unusual activity to the Operations Manager
• Feed each animal as prescribed by the Operations Manager or Director of Veterinary Services, and record appetite/intake
• Clean and sanitize boarding rooms and related areas of the building
• Wash and dry towels and blankets
• Wash and disinfect food and water bowls, litterboxes, and other animal care supplies
• Perform general cleaning duties and empty trash
• Maintain animal care and facility equipment and supplies
• Administer medication, supplements, etc. as prescribed by a veterinarian
• Maintain confidentiality of all records relating to Paws for Hope services (human and animal)
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Physical Effort:

• Frequently required to lift and carry materials up to 20 lbs
• Occasionally required to lift and carry materials up to 40 lbs
• Frequent bending, crouching, and standing

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed indoors
• Regular exposure to animal odours and noises
• Exposure to bites, scratches, and animal waste
• Possible exposure to contagious diseases
• Work on site alone

Knowledge of:

• Animal body language and safe, low-stress animal handling
• Cleaning and disinfecting methods, and proper use and care of cleaning materials and equipment

Ability to:

• Relate to animals who are experiencing a transition or long-term boarding with patience, compassion, and the goal of improving and supporting their physical and mental health
• Use cleaning materials and supplies skillfully and efficiently
• Perform moderately heavy physical labour
• Learn to administer medications and recognize abnormal conditions
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions
• Work independently and as part of a small, cohesive team

Required Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Basic animal behaviour

Values alignment with:

• Paws for Hope policies, protocols, and program objectives
• Principles of evidence-based (scientific, humane) companion animal medical and behavioural care, including the use of vaccines and medications, gentle humane handling, and appropriate end-of-life care
• Principles of social justict

Hours & Compensation

Friday, Saturday & Sunday

4 hours/day - 9am-1pm

$22/hour

Start date: September 18, 2026

Please submit resume and cover letter to Kathy Powelson, kathy@pawsforhope.org by 4pm August 21, 2026