Lead Animal Care Associate – Dog Care
KTF Animal Shelter & Rescue Center
Reports To: Shelter Manager
Employment Type: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
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Position Summary
The Lead Animal Care Associate – Dog Care is responsible for overseeing the daily care, health monitoring, enrichment, housing, and overall well-being of all dogs housed at KTF Animal Shelter & Rescue Center. This position serves as the lead caregiver for the canine department and ensures that all dogs receive safe, humane, and consistent care in accordance with the shelter’s policies, procedures, and standards of animal welfare.
This position reports directly to the Shelter Manager and is expected to exercise independent judgment regarding routine daily operations while following all established shelter policies. The Lead Animal Care Associate has authority to direct the daily workflow of staff and volunteers assigned to the dog care area but does not have authority to hire, discipline, terminate employees, or make significant operational decisions without approval from the Shelter Manager.
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Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Daily Animal Care
- Feed dogs according to established feeding schedules and dietary plans.
- Ensure continuous access to fresh water.
- Clean, disinfect, and sanitize kennels, exercise yards, food bowls, water bowls, and equipment.
- Administer medications according to veterinary instructions and shelter protocols.
- Monitor dogs for signs of illness, injury, stress, or behavioral changes.
- Document health concerns and immediately notify the Shelter Manager of significant findings.
- Exercise dogs according to shelter protocols.
- Provide daily enrichment activities that support physical and behavioral health.
- Groom dogs as needed.
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Canine Population Oversight
- Maintain oversight of the dog population by:
- Monitoring kennel occupancy.
- Recommending housing assignments.
- Identifying compatible kennel arrangements.
- Monitoring behavior and stress levels.
- Ensuring dogs receive appropriate exercise and enrichment.
- Maintaining kennel cards and animal records.
- Assisting with movement of dogs throughout the facility.
- Recommendations involving transfers, behavioral concerns, medical treatment, foster placement, or adoption readiness shall be presented to the Shelter Manager for approval when required.
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Medical Monitoring
- Conduct daily wellness checks.
- Observe appetite, hydration, elimination, and behavior.
- Maintain medication records.
- Assist veterinarians during examinations.
- Prepare dogs for veterinary appointments.
- Monitor animals recovering from illness or surgery.
- Ensure quarantine and isolation protocols are followed.
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Leadership Responsibilities
- Serve as the lead employee within the canine care department by:
- Coordinating daily work assignments for Animal Care Technicians working with dogs.
- Providing training and guidance to new employees.
- Assisting with volunteer orientation.
- Ensuring all assigned work is completed according to shelter standards.
- Monitoring the quality of animal care.
- Reporting staffing concerns to the Shelter Manager.
- Promoting teamwork and accountability.
- This position is not authorized to issue formal disciplinary action, alter employee schedules, or modify shelter policies.
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Volunteer Coordination
- Direct volunteers assigned to the dog areas.
- Ensure volunteers follow approved handling and safety procedures.
- Demonstrate proper animal handling techniques.
- Monitor volunteer performance.
- Report concerns to the Shelter Manager.
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Adoption Support
- Prepare dogs for adoption.
- Participate in meet-and-greets.
- Assist potential adopters by providing factual information regarding dogs.
- Complete required documentation as assigned.
- Recommend adoption matches based on the shelter’s policies.
- Final approval of adoptions remains the responsibility of the Shelter Manager or designated authority.
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Cleaning and Biosecurity
- Follow all shelter sanitation protocols.
- Properly disinfect kennels and equipment.
- Minimize disease transmission.
- Ensure isolation procedures are followed.
- Maintain adequate cleaning supply inventory.
- Report maintenance concerns immediately.
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Recordkeeping
- Maintain accurate records including:
- Daily feeding logs.
- Medication records.
- Cleaning schedules.
- Behavioral observations.
- Medical observations.
- Exercise and enrichment records.
- Intake documentation as assigned.
- Adoption preparation records.
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Decision-Making Authority
The Lead Animal Care Associate may independently:
- Assign routine daily work within the dog care department.
- Prioritize daily cleaning and care tasks.
- Adjust enrichment schedules.
- Recommend housing changes.
- Identify dogs requiring veterinary evaluation.
- Implement approved medical and sanitation protocols.
- Make immediate decisions necessary to protect animal welfare during emergencies until the Shelter Manager can be consulted.
The following require Shelter Manager approval:
- Intake decisions.
- Adoption approvals or denials.
- Foster placements.
- Rescue transfers.
- Euthanasia decisions.
- Medical procedures outside approved protocols.
- Employee discipline.
- Staffing changes.
- Policy changes.
- Purchases exceeding authorized spending limits.
- Public statements on behalf of the shelter.
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Qualifications
Required
- High school diploma or GED.
- Minimum one year of professional dog handling or animal care experience.
- Ability to safely handle dogs of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments.
- Strong communication and organizational skills.
- Ability to work independently while following policies and procedures.
- Valid driver’s license preferred.
Preferred
- Animal shelter, rescue, veterinary clinic, boarding kennel, or daycare experience.
- Fear Free Shelter certification.
- Dog behavior and body language experience.
- Medication administration experience.
- Experience supervising staff or volunteers.
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Knowledge & Skills
- Canine behavior and handling.
- Animal welfare standards.
- Disease prevention and biosecurity.
- Leadership.
- Teamwork.
- Recordkeeping.
- Time management.
- Customer service.
- Problem solving.
- Attention to detail.
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Physical Requirements
The employee must be able to:
- Lift up to 75 pounds with or without assistance.
- Walk and stand for extended periods.
- Bend, kneel, squat, and climb stairs.
- Safely restrain dogs of varying sizes.
- Work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
- Work around cleaning chemicals, animal dander, noise, and odors.
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Work Schedule
- Full-time position.
- Includes weekends, holidays, and evenings as scheduled.
- Overtime may be required during emergencies or periods of high intake.
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Performance Expectations
Success in this position is measured by:
- Excellent care of the canine population.
- Safe handling of all dogs.
- Accurate documentation.
- Consistent compliance with shelter policies.
- Clean and sanitary kennel areas.
- Effective supervision of daily canine operations.
- Positive interactions with adopters, volunteers, and coworkers.
- Early identification of medical and behavioral concerns.
- Dependable attendance and professionalism.
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Position Philosophy
The Lead Animal Care Associate – Dog Care serves as the operational leader of the shelter’s canine department. This position is entrusted with ensuring that every dog receives exceptional daily care while maintaining consistency in animal welfare practices, sanitation, enrichment, and staff performance. Independent judgment is expected for routine daily operations; however, all work must remain within the policies, procedures, and mission of KTF Animal Shelter & Rescue Center. The Lead Animal Care Associate is accountable to the Shelter Manager and functions as the day-to-day leader of the canine care team, ensuring a safe, compassionate, and professional environment for animals, staff, volunteers, and visitors.
Pay: $15.00 - $18.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
