Cat Adoption Counselor

Job Description

PAWS Shelter Off Site Cat Adoption Counselor

PAWS Shelter of Central Texas is a No Kill facility in Kyle & Dripping Springs that believes in second chances! We’re a hard-working, compassionate group who cares for 100+ wonderful dogs and cats in our care and finds loving homes for 1,400 + deserving animals every year.

PAWS is currently seeking a Cat Adoption Counselor for our off-site adoption location at Petsmart, Southpark Meadows in Austin. He/she will be responsible for finding great homes for our cats and kittens while creating a positive experience for prospective adopters. Applicants must have previous cat experience and some knowledge of animal health/behavior.

Cat Adoption Counselor

Responsibilities include:

• Actively reaching out to and interacting with the public, specifically talking with prospective adopters to find out what they are looking for in a pet.
• Interacting with and getting to know the animals in order to better match them to appropriate homes.
• Working with volunteers to increase adoptions.
• Helping people through the adoption process, sharing information about animal care and behavior, reviewing adoption applications, interviewing applicants in a conversational way, making decisions to finalize or deny an adoption, and communicating with the applicant in such a manner that maintains a courteous and friendly attitude even when declining an adoption request.
• Willingness and ability to learn about cat behavior, common issues and ways to address them in order to make good adoption matches and to keep animals in homes.
• Thorough cleaning of animal areas and equipment, including spot cleaning of animal and public areas throughout the day in order to prevent/minimize illness as well creating an attractive and comfortable area for the animals.
• Transporting animals, cages and other equipment to and from off-site locations to our shelters in Kyle and Dripping Springs, TX.
• Monitoring the health of the animals on an ongoing basis, rapidly identifying any health problems or conditions (medical or behavioral) and letting the direct manager/vet tech know of these issues.
• Treating all animals humanely, properly, and with compassion at all times, regardless of the situation or circumstance and promoting a humane and caring attitude toward all animals.
• Working courteously and cooperatively with other staff members.
• Potentially filling in for other areas and performing tasks/functions as needed, including helping out at special events.

Specific Job Skills

• Strong interpersonal skills. The ideal person for this job would be personable, outgoing, patient, professional, compassionate, and able to get along well with a variety of people. Excellent written and oral communications skills.
• Affection for animals, concern for their welfare and a willingness to accommodate animals in the workplace.
• Ability and initiative, working with minimal supervision and direction.
• Maturity, good judgment and a professional personal appearance.
• Flexibility and ability to manage multiple tasks.
• The ability to remain pleasant and calm even in stressful situations.
• The ability to ask appropriate questions to gather information along with the ability to feel and show empathy for others.
• The ability to turn people down, firmly when necessary, without becoming aggressive or unpleasant.
• The ability to learn about and understand each cat as an individual, with his or her own personality, habits, past experiences etc.
• Familiarity with cats, knowledge of cat behavior or experience volunteering or working with a rescue group, humane society, foster care involvement or other animal welfare agency/veterinary clinic are a must.

Physical requirements:

• Physical ability to walk/stand on your feet throughout a normal workday required.
• Physical ability to engage in repetitive motions of legs, arms and hands, to hear, to see and to move animals and goods.
• Allergic conditions, which would be aggravated when handling or working with animals, may be a disqualification.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From $13.50 per hour

Expected hours: 32 per week

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Weekends as needed

Ability to Relocate:

• Kyle, TX 78640: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person