Animal Care Associate

Love Energy Savings; Naples (FL); On-site; USD 19,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly pay

Paid time off

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid parental leave

Retirement plan

Adoption discounts

Job summary

Patty Baker Humane Society Naples is seeking an Animal Care Associate to help shelter pets stay stress-free and ready for adoption. You’ll handle feeding, cleaning, wellness checks, and enrichment in a fast-paced environment, with dogs and cats. This role requires physical work, teamwork, and a passion for animal welfare.

You’ll work mornings or various shifts, weekends and holidays, lifting up to 50 lbs, and coordinating with volunteers to support daily routines and socialization activities.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years or older.
• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Comfortable interacting with and handling both dogs and cats of varying temperaments.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs regularly.
• Availability to work the schedule outlined above.
• Reliable transportation to all three PBHSN locations.
• Reliable attendance with minimal unscheduled absences.
• Enthusiasm for the mission of Patty Baker Humane Society Naples and commitment to animal welfare.
• Dedication, compassion, and a strong work ethic.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal).
• Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Cleaning, feeding, and enrichment for shelter pets.
• Wellness checks and socialization sessions for dogs and cats.
• Transport animals for medical procedures and monitor health.
• Spot-cleaning and enrichment throughout the day.
• Assist other shelter areas based on daily needs.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Lifting up to 50 lbs

Team player

Reliability

Animal welfare passion

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

As an Animal Care Associate, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring our shelter pets are free from stress, fear, and anxiety, while providing a safe and clean environment for them. This position isn't for everyone. It can be loud, smelly, and sometimes stressful. But if making a significant difference in the lives of shelter pets and their future loving families is something you're passionate about, this might be the most fulfilling job you've ever had!

To get a better idea of the morning Animal Care routine, please watch this video! The Animal Care team focuses on cleaning, feeding, and providing enrichment for all shelter pets on their way to finding their loving homes. Mornings begin with routine wellness checks and participation in playgroups for dogs and group socialization sessions for cats to ensure all animals receive critical socialization and exercise. Throughout the day, you'll transport animals for medical procedures, monitor their health and behavior, and provide the compassionate care that helps them become adoption-ready. Afternoons are spent spot-cleaning, adding enrichment activities, providing additional socialization time in communal cat rooms and with individual dogs and cats, and assisting other shelter areas depending on daily needs. An ideal candidate for this position loves to flex between team projects and independent work, thrives in a hands-on learning environment, and has a passion for helping people and pets.

Schedule

• Full time, Five days per week
• Shifts: 8am - 5pm, 7am - 4pm, or 9am - 6pm.
• Candidates must be willing to work all shift types, weekends and holidays. We schedule a month in advance - days off vary per month.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be 18 years or older
• High school diploma or GED equivalent
• Comfortable interacting with and handling both dogs and cats of varying temperaments
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs regularly
• Availability to work the schedule outlined above
• Reliable transportation to all three PBHSN locations
• Reliable attendance with minimal unscheduled absences
• Enthusiasm for the mission of Patty Baker Humane Society Naples and commitment to animal welfare
• Dedication, compassion, and a strong work ethic.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal)
• Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. We are an equal opportunity employer.

Preferred

• 3-6 months of related experience in animal care (shelter, veterinary clinic, kennel, or rescue)
• Knowledge of dog and cat behavior and body language
• Experience with dog playgroups or cat group socialization
• Previous volunteer experience in animal welfare

What We Offer

• Pay starts at $17/hr. Paid weekly.
• Paid time off and Holiday Pay
• Medical, dental, vision insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Retirement plan available, matching funds after 1 year
• Significant discounts on veterinary services and adoptions