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
Ability to Relocate:
- Austin, TX 78748: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person