Operations Generalist — Pet Daycare, Boarding & Spa
Company: VIP Furbabies
Location: Cedar Park/Leander, Texas
Employment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time Positions Available
Schedule: Flexible availability required, including some mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays
About the Position
VIP Furbabies is looking for dependable, energetic, and compassionate animal lovers to join our team as Wag & Whisker Specialists.
This is a cross-trained Operations Generalist position. Every Wag & Whisker Specialist learns and supports all major areas of our pet resort, including dog daycare, boarding, cat care, bathing and spa services, lobby operations, and facility cleaning.
This is not a position where team members remain in one department all day. Employees rotate between responsibilities based on the needs of the pets and the facility. The ideal candidate is comfortable working with both dogs and cats, enjoys staying active, pays close attention to safety and cleanliness, and is willing to help wherever needed.
What You Will Do
Dog Daycare
- Supervise dogs during structured group play.
- Work with both low-energy and high-energy playgroups.
- Monitor dog body language, play styles, energy levels, and group dynamics.
- Redirect inappropriate play and intervene before situations escalate.
- Support safe entry, exit, and movement of dogs between play areas.
- Provide enrichment, rest periods, affection, and individual attention.
- Accurately document behavior, health, feeding, bathroom, and activity information.
Dog Boarding
- Care for dogs staying overnight in our boarding accommodations.
- Prepare meals according to each pet’s feeding instructions.
- Provide fresh water, bathroom breaks, enrichment, and individual attention.
- Clean and reset boarding spaces, bedding, bowls, and supplies.
- Monitor pets for changes in appetite, behavior, bathroom habits, or physical condition.
- Follow medication and special-care instructions when properly trained and authorized.
Cat Care
- Feed and provide fresh water for boarding cats.
- Clean litter boxes and maintain clean, comfortable cat accommodations.
- Provide enrichment, affection, and individual interaction based on each cat’s comfort level.
- Observe cats for signs of stress, illness, discomfort, or changes in behavior.
- Maintain a calm and low-stress environment within the cat boarding area.
Bathing and Spa Services
- Provide pet baths and other assigned spa services.
- Safely handle pets during bathing, drying, brushing, ear cleaning, and nail services.
- Follow each pet’s service instructions and use products appropriately.
- Clean and sanitize tubs, tools, equipment, and the grooming area after each service.
- Notify management of skin concerns, injuries, unusual behavior, or other conditions observed during services.
Lobby and Customer Service
- Welcome pet parents and provide friendly, professional customer service.
- Assist with pet check-in and check-out.
- Confirm feeding, medication, service, and care instructions.
- Answer phones, respond to basic customer questions, and direct concerns appropriately.
- Process payments, update customer records, and use facility management software.
- Safely transfer pets and their belongings between the lobby and care areas.
- Communicate meaningful updates about each pet’s stay while protecting customer privacy.
Cleaning and Facility Care
Every member of the VIP Furbabies team participates in cleaning.
Responsibilities include:
- Cleaning and disinfecting daycare rooms, boarding accommodations, cat areas, lobby spaces, hallways, bathrooms, food-preparation areas, and other parts of the facility.
- Removing pet waste promptly and following established sanitation procedures.
- Washing bowls, toys, bedding, towels, cleaning tools, and laundry.
- Sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, scrubbing, and squeegeeing floors.
- Emptying trash and restocking supplies.
- Following chemical dilution, storage, labeling, and safety procedures.
- Reporting damaged equipment, maintenance concerns, and safety hazards.
- Helping maintain a facility that looks, smells, and feels clean throughout every shift.
Safety Responsibilities
Safety is one of the most important parts of this position. Wag & Whisker Specialists are expected to:
- Follow all pet handling, sanitation, emergency, and facility procedures.
- Use gates, doors, leashes, slip leads, and safety equipment correctly.
- Maintain control of pets during transfers and prevent escapes.
- Recognize common signs of fear, stress, illness, discomfort, and escalating behavior.
- Immediately report injuries, bites, scratches, illness symptoms, or unusual behavior.
- Follow individualized care instructions and pet alerts.
- Participate in required training and demonstrate proper procedures before working independently.
- Communicate clearly with coworkers during pet movements, group changes, and emergencies.
What We Are Looking For
- Genuine compassion for dogs and cats.
- Dependable attendance and punctuality.
- A strong work ethic and willingness to remain productive throughout the shift.
- Comfort working in an active, fast-paced, and sometimes noisy environment.
- Ability to follow detailed written and verbal instructions.
- Strong observation skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to remain calm when pets are excited, fearful, stressed, or uncooperative.
- Willingness to clean thoroughly and handle pet waste, dirty bedding, vomit, urine, feces, and other routine messes.
- Ability to work cooperatively and communicate respectfully with coworkers and customers.
- Willingness to rotate among all operational areas.
- Ability to accept coaching and consistently follow established procedures.
- Basic comfort using tablets, computers, phones, and business software.
Preferred Qualifications
Previous professional animal-care experience is helpful but not required. Relevant experience may include:
- Dog daycare or boarding
- Veterinary clinics
- Animal shelters or rescues
- Grooming or bathing
- Dog training
- Pet sitting
- Customer service, hospitality, or front-desk operations
Training will be provided to qualified candidates who demonstrate reliability, good judgment, and a willingness to learn.
Physical Requirements
This is a physically active position. Team members must be able to:
- Stand and walk for extended periods.
- Frequently bend, kneel, squat, reach, push, pull, and climb stairs.
- Lift and carry up to 50 pounds independently.
- Assist with heavier or uncooperative pets using approved team-handling procedures.
- Safely handle dogs of various sizes, breeds, strengths, and energy levels.
- Work around barking, pet hair, cleaning products, water, odors, and airborne allergens.
- Work indoors in areas that may become wet, humid, or noisy.
- Perform repetitive cleaning, laundry, feeding, and animal-care tasks.
Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals in accordance with applicable law.
Schedule Expectations
Pet care is required every day of the year. Applicants should understand that scheduling may include:
- Early mornings
- Evenings
- Weekends
- School breaks
- Peak travel periods
- Some holidays
Schedules may vary based on occupancy and business needs. Reliable transportation and consistent attendance are required.
Training
Wag & Whisker Specialists receive structured training in areas such as:
- Dog body language and stress signals
- Safe group-play supervision
- Pet first aid and emergency readiness
- Safe entry, exit, and facility procedures
- Cleanliness and illness-prevention protocols
- Low-stress dog and cat handling
- Customer service and facility software
- Bathing and spa-service procedures
Employees must successfully complete assigned training and demonstrate required skills before performing certain duties independently.
What Success Looks Like
Successful Wag & Whisker Specialists:
- Treat every pet with patience, kindness, and respect.
- Put safety ahead of speed or convenience.
- Notice small changes in a pet’s behavior or condition.
- Follow instructions accurately and document care consistently.
- Take ownership of cleaning instead of waiting to be asked.
- Communicate clearly and support their teammates.
- Move confidently between different responsibilities.
- Create a welcoming experience for both pets and their families.
Important Considerations
Animal care is rewarding, but it is also demanding. This position involves significant cleaning, physical activity, loud barking, strong odors, pet waste, wet floors, shedding, and occasional scratches or bites. Applicants should carefully consider these responsibilities before applying.
Employee Benefits
VIP Furbabies offers benefits designed to support our team and reward the care they provide, including:
- Paid Time Off: Full-time employees accrue up to 40 hours of PTO annually after 90 days of employment.
- Premium Holiday Pay: Earn an additional $5 per hour when working designated company holidays.
- Free Employee Daycare: Complimentary daycare for up to two eligible employee pets, based on availability.
- Pet-Care Discounts: Receive 50% off daycare for additional pets and 50% off eligible boarding and spa services.
- Complimentary Self-Service Spa Use: Off-duty employees may use approved spa equipment for up to two of their own pets.
- Paid Training and Certifications: Receive paid, hands-on training and access to selected job-related certifications.
Employee benefits are subject to eligibility requirements, availability, and company policies.
Equal Employment Opportunity
VIP Furbabies is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, performance, business needs, and applicable legal requirements without unlawful discrimination.
Pay: $16.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Paid time off
- Paid training
Work Location: In person
