The Shelter Generalist provides cross-functional support across the Companion Animal Shelter (CAS) including Animal Care, Adoptions, Client Services, and Foster Care. This position ensures consistent, high-quality animal care and customer service by filling in where staffing needs arise both the Lynnwood and Cat City locations, assisting with the daily operations of multiple teams. The Shelter Generalist helps maintain smooth shelter operations, supports volunteers, and promotes PAWS’ mission of helping cats, dogs, and people through compassionate and professional service.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
Animal Care and Welfare
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Provide daily care, feeding, enrichment, and observation of animals in accordance with written procedures.
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Clean and disinfect kennels, cages, and care areas to maintain a safe, sanitary, and low-stress environment.
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Administer prescribed medications, vaccinations, and basic medical treatments as directed by veterinary or shelter staff.
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Assist with animal intake, including performing physical and behavioral observations, recording information, and assigning appropriate housing.
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Identify and promptly report signs of illness, injury, or behavioral concern to appropriate staff.
Adoptions and Customer Service
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Ability to work at both the Lynnwood and Cat City locations on a regular basis.
- Provide accurate information and courteous service to the public in person, via phone, and by email about adoptable animals and shelter operations.
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Conduct adoption counseling and process adoptions in accordance with written policies and procedures.
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Support positive adopter experiences through educational conversations about animal behavior, care, and post-adoption resources.
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Handle and process payments and paperwork related to adoptions, licenses, and donations.
Client Services and Public Interaction
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Serve as the first point of contact for visitors and callers, providing information and referrals regarding lost/found animals, rehoming, or surrender services.
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Support the lost and found program by matching lost reports with animals in care and assisting clients through return-to-owner processes.
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Assist with scheduling and intake for owned or stray animals and provide general information about PAWS programs and community resources.
Foster Care and Volunteer Support
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Coordinate with the Foster Care team to facilitate animal placement into and return from foster homes, ensuring timely communication and accurate records.
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Provide guidance and support to foster volunteers and assist with foster animal scheduling for medical or adoption needs.
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Support volunteers and interns during daily operations, ensuring safe handling practices and adherence to protocols.
General Shelter Operations
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Maintain accurate and timely data entry for animal records and related documentation in PetPoint or other systems.
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Help ensure shelter areas, lobbies, and customer spaces are clean, organized, and welcoming.
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Assist with animal transport between PAWS locations or external appointments when needed.
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Provide flexible coverage across departments as assigned to ensure smooth operations.
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION:
High school diploma, GED, or equivalent; additional coursework or certification in animal science, shelter operations, or related fields preferred.
RELATED EXPERIENCE:
Minimum of two years’ experience in an animal shelter, humane society, or veterinary clinic required. Experience in multiple functional areas (adoptions, animal care, foster, client services) strongly preferred.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES OR REGISTRATIONS:
Certification in FearFree™ sheltering methods, or ability to obtain upon hire.
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES:
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Exemplifies PAWS’ core values: Commitment, Compassion, Kindness, Respect, and Trust.
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Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
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Ability to work effectively and respectfully with diverse groups of people and maintain high-quality customer and volunteer relations.
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Demonstrated ability to handle animals safely and humanely, and to recognize animal behavior and health indicators.
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Flexible, adaptable, and able to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
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Ability to adjust job priorities quickly depending on need, and pivot between departments on a regular basis.
- Strong organizational and time management skills with attention to detail.
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Works cooperatively with others while also exercising sound judgment and initiative independently.
TECHNICAL SKILLS:
- Proficient with Microsoft Office and Outlook; experience with PetPoint or similar animal shelter management databases preferred.
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Comfortable learning and navigating multiple computer systems.
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Skilled in humane animal handling and basic medical and behavioral care procedures.
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Experience with PetPoint is highly desirable.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. The employee is regularly required to stand for long periods of time; walk; use hands to handle, feel, and reach; bend; and talk or hear. Work includes lifting, bending, stooping, pushing, and other moderately strenuous activities. Must be able to sit or stand for long periods, including at a computer or animal exam table. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Work is performed both at the PAWS Companion Animal Shelter in Lynnwood, WA, and at the Cat City location in Seattle , WA. The employee is regularly exposed to noise levels up to 100 decibels, zoonotic diseases, cleaning agents, and varying indoor/outdoor conditions. Personal protective equipment and hearing protection are provided.
