Receptionist & Animal Care Attendant – HRM Animal Redemption Centre

Nova Scotia SPCA; Nova Scotia; Hybrid; CAD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Program

SPCA Thrift Store discounts

On‑Call After Hours service

Job summary

Nova Scotia SPCA is seeking a Receptionist and Animal Care Attendant to join our Shelter team. You will provide friendly customer service to visitors, guide adopters, and help with basic animal care in a busy shelter environment.

The role requires weekend availability, empathy for animals, and ability to work with staff, volunteers and the public. There is potential to earn additional compensation through the On-Call After Hours service and respond to urgent calls for animal welfare.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of customer service experience.
• Veterinary Assistant Diploma is an asset.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to interact professionally and empathetically with a diverse range of people.
• Demonstrated ability to stay calm, organized and solution‑oriented in a fast‑paced environment.
• Demonstrates animal care knowledge and basic handling skills.
• Knowledge of animal behaviours and basic care needs.
• Ability to identify signs of illness or distress in animals.
• Driver’s license is required.

Responsibilities

• Provides outstanding customer service with a friendly can‑do attitude.
• Guide prospective adopters through the adoption process, ensuring a positive, informative and welcoming experience.
• Educate adopters on animal care, behaviour, medical history and post‑adoption resources.
• Answers general inquiries by phone, email and in person and provides support in sensitive matters.
• Assists with the scheduling and coordination of appointments.
• Provide a wide range of administrative and clerical duties and work well with low supervision.
• Maintain positive interactions with the public, staff and volunteers in a fast‑paced environment.
• Responsible for all duties related to the care of animals (cleaning holding areas, providing food and water, bathing and basic grooming).
• Provides humane handling and restraining techniques.
• Observe animals for signs of illness or injury and report symptoms.
• Administers medications as prescribed.
• Maintain accurate records for animal inventory, health, treatments and adoptions.
• Performs maintenance and cleaning to ensure high standards of sanitation.
• Completes other duties as assigned.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Empathy

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Education

Veterinary Assistant Diploma

Job description

A Receptionist and Animal Care Attendant is a key member of the Nova Scotia SPCA Shelter team, helping to create a positive experience for people while ensuring the health, comfort, and well-being of animals in our care.

This role combines exceptional and compassionate customer service with animal care, supporting both front‑of‑house operations and the daily needs of shelter animals. The successful candidate will help maintain a welcoming and sanitary environment for visitors, staff, volunteers, and animals.

We are seeking a reliable, enthusiastic, and compassionate individual who is available to work weekends. The ideal candidate is passionate about animal welfare, enjoys working with people, and thrives in a fast‑paced team environment. This position also offers the opportunity to respond to urgent animal by‑law‑related calls on behalf of the Halifax Regional Municipality for additional compensation. As such, the successful candidate must be flexible and willing to participate in a scheduled on‑call rotation that includes holidays and overnight shifts.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Provides outstanding customer service with a friendly can‑do attitude.
• Guide prospective adopters through the adoption process, ensuring a positive, informative and welcoming experience.
• Educate adopters on animal care, behaviour, medical history and post‑adoption resources.
• Answers general inquiries by phone, email and in person and provides support and options in a variety of sensitive matters.
• Assists with the scheduling and coordination of appointments.
• Provide a wide range of administrative and clerical duties and work well with low supervision.
• Maintaining positive interactions with the public, staff and volunteers in a fast‑paced, sometimes hectic and noisy environment while remaining calm, focused resourceful and efficient is critical to this role.
• Responsible for all duties related to the care of animals (cleaning of the holding areas, assuring that animals receive food and water, bathing and basic grooming).
• Provides humane handling and restraining techniques.
• Observe animals for signs of illnesses or injuries and report symptoms to the appropriate personnel.
• Administers medicationsas prescribed.
• Maintain accurate records for animal inventory, health, medications, treatments, procedures, behaviour and adoption information.
• Performs continual maintenance duties that include repairs and upkeep. Cleans all equipment and work areas to maintain the highest standard of cleanliness and sanitation. Follows health and safety regulations and protocols.
• Completes other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each task satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and ability required.

• A Veterinary Assistant Diploma is considered an asset.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to interact professionally and empathically with a diverse range of people.
• Demonstrated ability to remain calm, organized and solution‑oriented in a fast‑paced environment.
• Demonstrates animal control knowledge, including proper restraining techniques.
• Knowledge of animal behaviours, and basic obedience training methods.
• Ability to identify species, breeds, age and sex of animals.
• Ability to identify signs of animal illnesses, diseases and injuries.
• Ability to identify different medications and methods of administration.
• Ability to perform sanitation procedures and general maintenance.
• Ability to perform the SPCA’s basic medical intake process and other duties as outlined in SPCA Manuals.
• Employee must demonstrate ability to work effectively with others (including co‑workers, customers, volunteers and others) by sharing ideas in a constructive and positive manner; listening to and objectively considering ideas and suggestions from others; keeping commitments; keeping others informed of work progress, timetables and issues; and addressing problems and issues constructively to find mutually acceptable and practical business solutions.
• Employees must demonstrate regular and consistent attendance and punctuality.

Experience:

• 1-2 years of experience in customer service.
• Previous animal care experience in a Veterinary clinic, Grooming, Doggy Daycare or other pet‑related experience is an asset.

Additional Information:

• Driver’s license is required

Physical Requirements:

• Physical ability to walk and/or stand on your feet throughout a normal workday required.
• Physical ability to lift and carry 40 pounds regularly.
• Working conditions include working alone, working outside in varying weather conditions, frequent interruptions, and some meetings.

What We Offer:

• Employee Assistance Program
• Pet supply and SPCA Thrift Store discounts
• Opportunities to earn additional compensation through our On‑Call After Hours Service.

Hours of Work:

• Hours of work range between 8 am and 6 pm daily. This position requires a flexible schedule. Evenings and weekends will be part of the regular weekly schedule, must be willing to work a flexible schedule.