Foster, Transport, & Rescue Coordinator Updated: February 2022
FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt
Reports to: Vet Practice Manager
Summary:
The Foster, Transport, & Rescue Coordinator position has a tri-fold impact on Citizens for Animal Protection: a) coordinates the foster care program, recruiting and training foster families, coordinating medical care with CAP staff, and promoting the program, b) facilitates CAP’s transport program for animals with our partner agencies, markets available animals to these agencies with the overall goal of relieving the financial and operational burden that pet overpopulation in Houston has on CAP, and c) coordinates with rescue agencies, maintains CAP’s relationship status, seeks to help other agencies as well as position CAP to receive aid when needed.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities:
Foster
- Monitor, coordinate, and communicate objectives and information between the Medical and Foster departments.
- Maintain a successful line of communication between departments.
- Collaborate and communicate successfully with other entities, such as foster families, outside of the organization as needed.
- Collect, analyze, and utilize data and feedback to identify opportunities to improve the relationship and communication between internal departments and the organization and outside entities.
- Compile reports about particular incidents, events, or updates about important issues for the organization.
- Proactively resolve conflicts and address issues that could occur interdepartmentally within the organization.
- Promptly respond to incidents and other events as necessary.
- Act as a positive representation of the organization to the community.
- Attend and/or speak at career development and animal welfare meetings and seminars as approved.
- Answer phones for the Foster department, assist callers and refer calls to the appropriate person.
- Understand and adhere to the principles, policies, and procedures of the organization.
- Work in conjunction with the Shelter Manager and Senior Staff to evaluate and approve animals for the foster program.
- Plan and conduct foster parent orientations.
- Maintain and update foster home contact information and files.
- Plan and produce a biweekly foster newsletter that promotes CAP’s foster program and relays vital information to foster families.
- Verify new medications and/or medication protocol with the Director of Veterinary Medicine, Shelter Manager, or Medical Assistant Manager prior to giving to fosters.
- Ensure that fosters are educated in the proper care and treatment of the animals they are fostering. Update and distribute information relevant to care of foster animals.
- Update social media pages with relative posts, and answer fosters’ questions in a timely and professional manner.
- Maintain foster “Needies” list.
- Upon approval, post the animal on the same day or following morning. Animals must be picked within the time period specified by the approving Manager (a minimum of 72 hours)
- Assign the animal to a foster, based on the appropriateness of the situation. Ensure that all notes are placed on the animal’s cage and memos are entered into PetPoint.
- Work in conjunction with the Shelter Manager to keep in daily contact with staff to update animal information and ensure that the proper memos have been placed on cages and entered into Pet
Point.
- Upon approval from the Shelter Manager or Assistant Managers supply fosters with necessary medications and ensure that they understand the correct dosage and administration of the medications.
- Maintain contact with fosters to check on the animal's progress, be available to answer questions, and offer assistance if needed.
- Help to schedule fosters who need to bring their animals to the shelter for treatment, vaccinations etc.
- Call fosters when their animals are ready to be picked up from the shelter.
- Counsel and console fosters in the event of death of foster animals or the necessity of euthanasia.
- Assist adopters with questions or concerns about their animals. If necessary, have them come in for a veterinary evaluation. Place on Veterinary Evaluation List.
- Ensure that medications and treatments are clearly written on the paperwork.
- If an adopted animal requires at-home treatments, work with medical care employees to provide instruction to the adopter on daily treatments.
- Maintain a positive relationship with veterinarians providing services for CAP foster animals.
- Educate the public on the foster care program and its function in the organization and how animals are selected for foster care.
- Perform other duties as requested or assigned by Management and the foster Medical Assistant Manager.
Transport & Rescue
- Coordinate the transport and transfer of animals from the CAP facility to rescue partner facilities.
- Build relationships with transport and rescue partners, understand candidacy requirements and how to write pleas.
- Screen and approve potential transport and rescue groups so they are authorized for the release of CAP animals. Verify their 501(c)(3) status and add them to PetPoint once approved.
- Maintain and update transport and rescue contact information.
- Attend meetings, training, off-site events, and networking opportunities with existing transport/rescue partners, community resources, and potential partners including but not limited to online learning, retreats, seminars, community events, and conferences as approved by management.
- Evaluate animals within the shelter to determine which are good transport or transfer candidates and make recommendations to management.
- Work with staff to obtain necessary photos and videos to send with pleas.
- With approval, write pleas for good candidates and send them to rescue partners.
- Maintain records for each candidate, including those that have not been selected for transport, which should include all relevant information: medical history, behavior notes, vaccines, medical procedures, health certificates, and basic animal info.
- Communicate medical needs for animals prior to transport or transfer with the appropriate wellness area.
- Ensure that health certificates and other transport requirements are obtained in a timely manner.
- Communicate with staff regarding which animals need to be moved, including location and timeline.
- Ensure that all available certificates and tags that need to travel with the animals are provided to the staff member driving them or are available to the rescue partner at the time of transfer.
- Communicate consistently with representatives from transport partners and CAP management staff regarding the status of animals. Respond in a timely manner to all requests for information.
- Ensure that all outcome paperwork is properly entered into Petpoint in accordance to our policies and in compliance with the agreements entered into which each rescue partner.
- Recruit and communicate with short-term fosters to house and care for animals from acceptance into the transport program through their transport date.
- Work with Shelter Management to develop protocols to streamline the transport and transfer processes.
- Plan and implement Foster Appreciation and Foster Recruitment events.
- Other duties as assigned by management.
Physical Requirements:
Constant:
- Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.
- Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
- Working with a computer screen for the majority of the day.
- Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
- Working with animals: including retrieving animals from kennels; working with potentially aggressive animals that may bite, scratch, or otherwise cause injury; and working with animals with potential zoonotic diseases.
- Driving to different locations as needed; may include loading and unloading of animals in kennels and other marketing/promotion materials.
Occasional:
- Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.
- Adjusting or moving objects, including animals, up to 30 pounds in all directions.
Environmental Conditions:
- May include noisy environments, including barking and other animal noises
- May include pungent smells from animal caretaking
- Includes small and/or enclosed spaces
Required education and experience:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Experience in PetPoint
Preferred experience:
- At least two years of animal welfare experience
- Previous transport experience of one year
- Previous foster experience of one year
Required Skills/Abilities:
- Possess the capacity to maintain productive and positive working relationships with other staff members.
- Possess a humane and caring attitude concerning the overall treatment and disposition of animals.
- Demonstrated commitment to service excellence and maintaining professionalism and tact under pressure.
- Must have a professional appearance and have the ability to deal tactfully with stressful situations.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to prioritize tasks and ask for help when appropriate.
- Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
Pay: $18.50 - $20.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- PetPoint: 1 year (Preferred)
- Animal Welfare: 2 years (Preferred)
- Animal Foster/Transport: 1 year (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
