Job Title: Adoption Counselor (Part-Time)
Reports To: Adoption Manager
Job Type: Part-Time
Location: PetSmart Adoption Center, Alamo Ranch; other SAPA! locations as needed
Schedule: Part-Time (Thursday-Sunday; 25-30 hours per week, including weekends, holidays, and occasional evenings)
Pay: starting at $15.50
Organizational Overview: San Antonio Pets Alive! (SAPA!) is a private nonprofit organization that saves the lives of dogs and cats that find themselves at San Antonio Animal Care Services by no fault of their own. Last year SAPA! saved the lives of more than 4,000 dogs and cats by finding them loving adoptive families, placing them in foster homes, and transporting them to other communities across the country. In addition, SAPA! provides necessary medical services to ensure each pet is healthy and happy.
Our Core Values: San Antonio Pets Alive’s! core values deeply held beliefs that represent our highest priorities and fundamental driving forces. They define our passionate belief in what we do and how we choose to resonate with and appeal to the community, adopters, fosters, and volunteers.
- Lifesaving. We believe that life is precious. We work tirelessly with compassion, care, and love to save the lives of dogs and cats and to do what’s best for the animals, adopters and fosters.
- Integrity. We believe integrity drives us to be honest and responsible in our actions and responsible in our actions and communications with our team and the general public.
- Stewardship. We are caretakers of the dogs and cats we save. Our stewardship also extends to the gifts we receive, our reputation and the goodwill of our community.
- Excellence. We strive for excellence and efficiency in every program we implement, ensuring the best care for the dogs and cats we save and the families who love and adopt them.
- Respect. We treat all animals and people with dignity and kindness.
Position Summary
The Adoption Counselor is responsible for overseeing daily adoption operations at SAPA!'s PetSmart Adoption Center in Alamo Ranch. This position facilitates adoptions, provides exceptional customer service, maintains accurate animal and adoption records, and ensures the health, safety, and well-being of animals in care.
As SAPA!'s primary on-site representative during scheduled shifts, the Adoption Counselor creates positive adoption experiences for prospective adopters while maintaining strong working relationships with PetSmart leadership and team members. The Adoption Counselor works collaboratively with SAPA! staff, volunteers, fosters, adopters, and community partners to maximize lifesaving outcomes and support SAPA!'s mission.
In addition to managing daily adoption center operations, this position may assist with off-site adoption events, community outreach initiatives, animal transport, and other adoption-related programs as needed.
Job Duties
Adoption Services
- Facilitate and complete adoptions in accordance with SAPA! and PetSmart policies and procedures.
- Counsel prospective adopters and assist them in selecting pets that best match their household and lifestyle.
- Provide outstanding customer service to adopters, visitors, volunteers, and community members.
- Monitor adoption-related email accounts and respond to inquiries promptly and professionally.
- Assist foster caregivers interested in adopting their foster animals when applicable.
- Educate adopters about pet care, transition expectations, and available SAPA! resources.
- Represent SAPA! professionally and positively in all interactions with the public.
PetSmart Adoption Center Operations
- Serve as SAPA!'s primary on-site representative during assigned shifts at the PetSmart Adoption Center.
- Build and maintain positive, professional relationships with PetSmart store leadership and associates.
- Communicate operational updates, concerns, and facility needs to PetSmart management and the Adoption Manager.
- Ensure compliance with all SAPA! standards and PetSmart Adoption Center requirements.
- Assist PetSmart customers by providing information about available animals and SAPA! programs.
- Coordinate with the Adoption Program Manager regarding animal movement, kennel capacity, and placement opportunities.
- Maintain a clean, welcoming, organized, and professional adoption center environment.
- Support adoption center occupancy goals by maximizing placement opportunities for adoptable animals.
Animal Care & Welfare
- Ensure all animals receive clean housing, fresh food, clean water, and daily enrichment.
- Provide positive socialization and interaction to improve animal comfort and adoption readiness.
- Monitor animals for signs of illness, injury, stress, or behavioral concerns and report issues promptly to appropriate staff.
- Receive, kennel, and monitor incoming animals according to established protocols.
- Follow all animal handling, safety, sanitation, and disease-prevention procedures.
- Assist with temporary housing and care of animals awaiting transfer, transport, foster placement, or adoption.
- Maintain high standards of animal welfare at all times.
Records & Administrative Responsibilities
- Complete all required adoption paperwork, medical documentation, and records accurately and in a timely manner.
- Maintain accurate animal records within ShelterLuv and other designated databases or tracking systems.
- Process adoptions, pre-adoptions, and related transactions according to organizational procedures.
- Organize and maintain digital files and records.
- Ensure confidentiality of adopter, volunteer, staff, and animal information.
- Assist with reporting and data tracking as assigned.
Team Support & Outreach
- Collaborate effectively with SAPA! staff, volunteers, foster caregivers, and community partners.
- Assist with training and mentoring new staff members and volunteers as requested.
- Support off-site adoption events, special promotions, and community outreach activities as assigned.
- Transport animals between SAPA! facilities, veterinary appointments, adoption sites, and events when needed.
- Assist with promoting adoptable animals and increasing visibility for placement opportunities.
- Support organizational goals and participate in lifesaving initiatives across departments.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications, Skills & Expectations
Minimum Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Minimum one year of experience in animal welfare, animal care, veterinary services, retail, customer service, or a related field preferred.
- Passion for the mission of San Antonio Pets Alive! and commitment to lifesaving animal welfare efforts.
- Strong customer service, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with adopters, volunteers, staff, and external partners.
- Ability to work independently while serving as SAPA!'s primary representative at the adoption center.
- Proficiency with email, computer systems, and data entry.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to prioritize, multitask, and perform effectively in a fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrates professionalism, optimism, adaptability, and resilience.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
- Availability to work weekends, holidays, and occasional evenings.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds on a regular basis.
- Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, squat, reach, push, pull, and perform repetitive physical tasks.
- Ability to walk, handle, safely restrain, and transport animals.
- Ability to stand and move throughout the duration of a work shift.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced and occasionally noisy environment while maintaining professionalism and focus.
- Possession of a valid driver's license with the ability to travel locally and transport animals as needed.
- Must have reliable transportation
Pay: From $15.50 per hour
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
