ANIMAL CARE ASSOCIATE

Anti-Cruelty; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 24,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Anti-Cruelty in Chicago seeks an Animal Care Associate to provide essential daily care for shelter animals under supervision. You will follow low-stress handling, assist with adoptions, and maintain clean housing areas.

The role emphasizes compassionate care, teamwork, and safe decision-making in a fast-paced shelter environment. Responsibilities include feeding, monitoring health, enrichment, and collaboration with volunteers and staff.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 1 year of previous experience in an animal-related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Uphold the PETS Work Culture Agreement.
• Follow Fear Free and Low-Stress Handling practices.
• Provide daily care including feeding, watering, cleaning, and monitoring health.
• Perform routine cleaning and disinfection per established protocols.
• Provide basic enrichment and exercise to reduce stress.
• Observe and report health or behavior concerns promptly.
• Safely handle animals and seek assistance when needed.
• Maintain clean, safe, and secure animal housing areas.
• Assist with adoption support, including engaging with adopters and sharing basic animal information.

Skills

Independent work

Team player

Multitasking

Professional appearance

Compassion

Animal handling

Calm under pressure

Emotional resilience

Education

High school diploma or GED

1 year of experience in animal-related field

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

ANIMAL CARE ASSOCIATE

Main Shelter, Chicago, IL, US

2 days ago Requisition ID: 1281

Salary Range: $17.75 To $20.00 Hourly

ANTI-CRUELTY JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE:Animal Care Associate

DEPARTMENT:Operations

REPORTS TO:Operations Manager, Shelter Care

STATUS:Non-Exempt

GENERAL SUMMARY

Under the direct supervision of the Operations Manager, the Animal Care Associate provides essential daily care to shelter animals while maintaining a safe, sanitary, and low-stress environment in alignment with established protocols and best practices.

This role serves as the foundation of Shelter Care operations, ensuring animals receive consistent husbandry, enrichment, and monitoring while supporting positive experiences for adopters, volunteers, and staff.

Creating an inclusive and welcoming culture is central to our work. As outlined in our PETS Work Culture Agreement, we uphold Praise, Engagement, Trust, and Support in all interactions.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Uphold the PETS Work Culture Agreement
• Follow Fear Free and Low-Stress Handling practices
• Provide daily care including feeding, watering, cleaning, and monitoring health
• Perform routine cleaning and disinfection per established protocols
• Provide basic enrichment and exercise to reduce stress
• Observe and report health or behavior concerns promptly
• Safely handle animals and seekassistancewhen needed
• Maintain clean, safe, and secure animal housing areas
• Assistwith adoption support, including:
• Engaging with adopters
• Sharing basic animal information
• Capture photos/videos andassistwith animal profiles as needed
• Maintain a clean and organized work environment
• Support volunteers and new staff with guidance and modeling
• Attend required meetings andtrainings
• Perform other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITY

• Ability to work independentlyand efficientlywith minimal supervision.
• Works effectively in a team environment.
• Ability tomultitaskwhile providing quality care in a fast paced andhigh-volumesetting.
• Maintains a neat and professional appearance.
• Compassion and empathy for both animals and owners.
• Comfortable in handling animals and making sound decisions based on safety.
• Abilityto remain calm in a busy or stressful situation.
• Abilityto manage emotional aspect of work in an animal welfare environment in a positive, professional manner.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or GEDrequired.
• 1 year ofpreviousexperience in ananimal relatedfieldpreferred.

Note: a comparable combination of education, experience or training that would provide a level of knowledge, skills, and ability may qualify individuals.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work in all weather conditions.
• Ability to handle work aroundallcompanion animals.
• Ability to remain onfeetforlong periodsof time.
• Ability to lift upto 40 pounds.
• Ability tofrequentlybend, stoop and reach.
• Ability to be comfortable working with cats, dogs, small animals, reptiles,fishand wildlife.
• Due tonatureof shelter work,maybe exposed to deceased, fractious, or aggressive animals; hostile or iratepersons; zoonotic or other diseases; unpleasant noises, odors, or sights; and extreme temperatures.

The job description is a guide to the essential functions of the job, not an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, qualifications, physical demands, and work environment conditions. Job descriptions are reviewed and revised to meet the changing needs of the organization at the sole discretion of management.

Anti-Cruelty is an equal opportunity employer.