Join Our Team: Animal Caretaker Opportunity at Good Life Refuge
Are you passionate about animals and dream of making a real difference in their lives? The Good Life Refuge, a sanctuary caring for 60 amazing animal residents, is looking for a dedicated and compassionate Animal Caretaker to join our team. This role directly impacts the health and happiness of our cherished residents, and we need someone extraordinary—like you!
About the Role
This role is multifaceted, encompassing all aspects of animal care, including providing food and water, maintaining clean and secure housing and enclosures, administering routine and acute medical care, and supervising hands-on volunteers. Flexibility and quick decision-making are essential, as emergencies such as critical illnesses, injuries, or environmental hazards may arise.
Primary ResponsibilitiesDaily Tasks
- Ensure fresh water and food are provided to all residents.
- Clean dishes and enclosures to maintain hygiene and comfort.
- Administer medical care as needed (routine and acute).
- Train and supervise volunteers assisting with daily tasks.
- Clean and disinfect water troughs
- Record any areas cleaned on Cleaning Schedule board
- Update project list as tasks are completed
- Keep workspace clean and orderly
Weekly Tasks
- Conduct wellness checks:
- Birds: Monitor empty crop, weight, parasite presence, feet, nails, and spurs or animals with issues
- Goats/Sheep/Alpacas/Cows/Equines: Assess gait, coat, weight, skin, ears, and hooves for animals with issues
- Pigs: Evaluate gait, coat, weight, skin, tusks, and hooves or animals with issues
- Inspect and maintain electric fencing.
- Unload and store food, hay, and straw.
Bi - Yearly Tasks
- Check equipment for functionality and to prepare for seasonal use (Tractor, snow blower, Tiller, Leaf blower, lawn mower, ATV etc)
As-Needed Tasks
- Complete repairs and configure animal spaces.
- Administer vaccinations.
- Assist farm manager as needed (projects/errands/repairs etc)
- Assist farrier with hoof care and veterinarian with vet appointments
What We’re Looking For
To thrive in this position, you’ll need:
- Experience: 2-5 years in a sanctuary or similar animal care setting. Hands-on experience with pigs, cows, equines, goats, and birds in areas like animal husbandry, care, restraint, and first aid is required. Additional medical expertise is highly valued.
- Skills: Strong communication, volunteer management, conflict resolution and organizational abilities. Physical strength and endurance are essential—you’ll be lifting 70-pound hay bales, pushing wheelbarrows, and restraining animals as needed. Plus if you know how to handle and repair farm machinery and equipment (tractor, trailer, atv, snow blower, tiller etc).
- Reliability: Self-motivation, dependability, and reliable transportation are a must. Candidates must live within 10 miles of Longmont, CO (US).
- Flexibility: Shifts (mornings run from 8 AM - 12 PM and evening shifts varying between 3-5 PM, 4-6 PM, or 6-8 PM), depending on the season. We are looking for part-time with availability for 6-8 hours and particularly on Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
Why Join Us?
Good Life Refuge offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of rescued animals. As part of our team, you’ll help provide second chances to animals in need while fostering a compassionate and safe environment for their healing and growth.
This position requires commitment, flexibility, and a passion for animal welfare. If you’re ready to take on this rewarding challenge, we’d love to hear from you!
This is a hands-on, fast-paced role that requires attention to detail, a positive attitude, and a deep commitment to animal welfare and living a cruelty free lifestyle.
What We Offer
This position starts initially at 16 hours per week with a 2 weeks trial period, and has the potential to be moved up to full-time after that. Working at the Good Life Refuge offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in meaningful work in the great outdoors while contributing to the well-being of animals who rely on our care.
How to Apply
If this sounds like the perfect role for you, we’d love to hear from you!
Please ensure your application is fully completed, including any assessments, and provide three references for consideration.
Be a part of something truly special—help us give these incredible animals the care and love they deserve. Join our Good Life Refuge family today!
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $18.00 - $20.00 per hour
Application Question(s):
- What do you like especially about farm animals like cows, chickens, pigs, ducks and so on.
- Tell me about your experience administering medications?
- What type of first aid did you have to provide and which animal emergencies have you handled?
- Tell me about your work experience with farm animals? What did you do?
- Tell me about your experience with large farm animals?
- What is your experience in managing people?
- What are your time management strategies when you have too many tasks on hand?
Experience:
- farm animal care: 2 years (Required)
Work Location: In person
