Animal Caregiver

APA Adoption Center; Clayton (MO); On-site; USD 19,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

Life and AD&D Insurance

Disability Insurance

Discounted Veterinary Care

Paid Time Off (vacation, personal, and

Sabbatical Program

Flexible and Accommodating Schedules

Professional Development Opportunities

Pet Bereavement Time Off

Job summary

The APA Adoption Center in St. Louis, MO seeks an Animal Caregiver to join our hands-on team delivering quality animal care, daily cleaning, feeding, walking, and basic medical support. This is a full-time, non-exempt position with hourly pay based on experience.

Responsibilities include monitoring animal health, assisting with intake and adoption processes, and ensuring a clean, safe environment. Bilingual-Spanish applicants are a plus.

Qualifications

• Experience in animal health or welfare preferred.
• Friendly, customer service demeanor for internal and external customers.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Attention to detail and follow through.
• Ability to work cooperatively with staff, donors, volunteers and general public.
• Efficient organizational skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines and balance multiple priorities.
• Ability to maintain composure and professional conduct during stressful situations.

Responsibilities

• Monitor health and well-being of the animals placed in the care of the APA Adoption Center.
• Provide quality care to include cleaning, feeding, medical care, grooming, walking, and enrichment.
• Maintain and replenish equipment and supplies.
• Assist with intake and disposition including, but not limited to, adoption, foster, transfer, or euthanasia.
• Restrain animals for veterinarians and technicians.
• Understanding of safety equipment and proper use.
• Provide vaccinations, venipuncture, and medical care according to APA procedures.
• Utilize a database to enter medical, behavioral, and other information.
• Performs all duties to ensure a positive image and to improve the functioning of the APA Adoption Center.
• All other duties as assigned.

Skills

Animal care

Customer service

Teamwork

Communication

Attention to detail

Bilingual Spanish

Job description

If you’re interested in working here, we totally get it. We love this place ourselves. Please take a look at our open positions and let us know how you might be able to add to our team.

Bilingual skills are a plus and bilingual-Spanish preferred. Adoption or intake counselor team members are eligible for a hourly bilingual-Spanish premium.

Position: Animal Caregiver

Location: St. Louis, MO

Job Id: 179

# of Openings: 2

Status: Full-time, hourly, non-exempt

Pay Rate: $17/hour, based on experience

Description

Join our team and help bring people and pets together! This position performs high quality animal care, daily cleaning, feeding, walking, assisting with medical care, and other related shelter duties. The APA also offers a comprehensive benefits package for full time employees to support the health and wellbeing of our team and their families.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Monitor health and well-being of the animals placed in the care of the APA Adoption Center.
• Provide quality care to include cleaning, feeding, medical care, grooming, walking, and enrichment.
• Maintain and replenish equipment and supplies.
• Assist with customer visits.
• Foster teamwork at the APA.
• Assist with intake and disposition including, but not limited to, adoption, foster, transfer, or euthanasia.
• Restrain animals for veterinarians and technicians.
• Understanding of safety equipment and proper use.
• Provide vaccinations, venipuncture, and medical care according to APA procedures.
• Utilize a database to enter medical, behavioral, and other information.
• Performs all duties to ensure a positive image and to improve the functioning of the APA Adoption Center.
• All other duties as assigned.

Exemplifies the APA’s Core Values

At the APA, our values are more than words, they are the compass that guides us and defines who we are as a team.

• Partnership: We believe pets and people thrive together. By building trust and collaboration with families, neighborhoods, and partner organizations, we create stronger communities, expand access to care, and ensure that pets and people have the resources they need to stay together.
• Empathy: We lead with compassion, respect, and understanding in all that we do. Every decision begins with the well-being of pets and people, and we treat each individual—whether a client, colleague, or community partner with dignity and care.
• Trust: We act with transparency, integrity, and accountability. By being clear about our intentions, honest in our actions, and responsible stewards of resources, we earn the confidence of those we serve and inspire trust in the broader community.
• Spark: We spark innovation and creativity to advance animal welfare. By embracing new ideas, adapting to emerging needs, and developing forward-thinking solutions, we shape a future where every pet has the chance to thrive in a loving home

Participates in creating a thriving Culture of Philanthropy at the APA by

• Being knowledgeable and supportive of APA programs.
• Sharing a passion for service to animals, people, and our community with our guests.
• Serving as an inspiration to all guests by providing an exemplary level of animal care and customer service.
• Being able to communicate a compelling case for support that demonstrates the impact of philanthropy at the APA.

Position Requirements

• Experience in animal health or welfare preferred.
• Friendly, customer service demeanor for internal and external customers.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Attention to detail and follow through.
• Ability to work cooperatively with staff, donors, volunteers and general public.
• Efficient organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and part of a team.
• Ability to meet deadlines and balance multiple priorities.
• Ability to maintain composure and professional conduct during stressful situations.

Physical Qualifications (including lifting and pushing)

• Must be able to lift 50 lbs. and stand for periods of five hours.
• Must be able to move safely over uneven terrain and work in outdoor weather conditions
• Must be able to walk large dogs that pull

Why Join the APA

Our Mission

At the APA, we bring and keep pets and people together, building connections that strengthen families and communities.

Our Vision

Our vision is a compassionate community where pets and people thrive together.

Our Values

P.E.T.S.

At the APA, our values are more than words, they are the compass that guides us and defines who we are as a team.

Benefits

Benefits are an important part of your overall compensation. The APA offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package to support the health and wellbeing of our employees and their families.

Here are some of the core benefits offered to APA employees:

• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance Plan
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Discounted Veterinary Care
• Discounted Adoption Fees
• Paid Time Off (vacation, personal, and holidays)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employee Wellness Stipend
• Retirement Plan
• Sabbatical Program
• Flexible and Accommodating Schedules
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Pet Bereavement Time Off

Our Organizational Culture

The APA is dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment where all people feel valued and respected. We uphold a commitment to nondiscrimination and provide equal opportunities for employment, growth, and advancement throughout our organization.

Our culture is rooted in trust, compassion, accountability, inclusivity, support, and respect. We are committed to investing in the personal and professional growth of our team members, valuing innovation and fresh ideas that enable us to effectively serve our community.

Our Values

At the APA, we understand that our organizational values are not just words on paper; they are the compass that guides us, shaping our collective identity and defining who we are as a team.

P.E.T.S. are the values that drive us in this work:

• Partnership: We believe pets and people thrive together. By building trust and collaboration with families, neighborhoods, and partner organizations, we create stronger communities, expand access to care, and ensure that pets and people have the resources they need to stay together.
• Empathy: We lead with compassion, respect, and understanding in all that we do. Every decision begins with the well-being of pets and people, and we treat each individual—whether a client, colleague, or community partner with dignity and care.
• Trust: We act with transparency, integrity, and accountability. By being clear about our intentions, honest in our actions, and responsible stewards of resources, we earn the confidence of those we serve and inspire trust in the broader community.
• Spark: We spark innovation and creativity to advance animal welfare. By embracing new ideas, adapting to emerging needs, and developing forward-thinking solutions, we shape a future where every pet has the chance to thrive in a loving home.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

At the APA, we embrace diversity as a core strength of our organization and community. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all forms of diversity are seen as valuable. Our dedication to diversity enriches our internal operations, enhances our community impact, and supports our goals of promoting wellness and education through meaningful connections with pets.

We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the love and companionship of a pet, so we are intentional about eliminating unnecessary barriers that disproportionately impact marginalized communities. To this end, we strive to create a culture where all individuals can show up as their authentic selves, feeling safe, respected, and valued. This commitment extends beyond our walls, reflecting our dedication to inclusivity within the diverse communities we serve. By nurturing a workplace and community where everyone belongs and can thrive, we further our mission of bringing people and pets together in harmonious and transformative ways.

Our Values

These values are much more than statements; they are a way of life. They reflect our shared commitment to positively impacting the lives of pets and their families. Join us in embodying these values as we shape a compassionate and thriving community for all.