Animal Shelter Attendant

Craven County; New Bern (NC); On-site; USD 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Craven Pamlico Animal Services Center is seeking dedicated personnel to maintain sanitary animal housing and support shelter operations. Responsibilities include feeding, cleaning, administering medications, adoption support, and public education on vaccination requirements.

The role requires high school graduation and animal handling experience, with duties spanning animal care, administrative tasks, and occasional disaster response. Role is onsite at the Craven Pamlico center.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school and one year of animal handling experience.
• Knowledge of basic animal behavior and restraint methods.
• Ability to assess changes in animal status and communicate findings to supervisor.

Responsibilities

• Thoroughly clean and disinfect all animal housing areas (cages, runs, related areas) as often as necessary.
• Provide shelter animals with proper food and water.
• Administer prescribed medications and document on medical logs.
• Wash and sterilize water and food bowls.
• Launder animal bedding and other items as necessary.
• Groom and exercise animals as necessary.
• Observe animal appearance and activity regularly.
• Report signs of illness, disease, or injury to supervisor or veterinarian.
• Record and verify microchip information and update kennel/cage labels.
• Assist with adoption processes and provide adopter education at point of contact.
• Release animals to owners after verifying documentation and vaccinations.
• Assist with handling or restraint to ensure safety.
• Vaccinate animals if certified.
• Assist with behavior evaluations.
• Perform euthanasia when needed based on credentials and policy.
• General cleaning of shelter areas and maintenance of equipment.
• Unpack, label, and stock shelter supplies and donations.
• Monitor inventory and notify supervisor when items need ordering.
• Answer phones and greet the public; provide information on adoptions and reclaim procedures.
• Provide public education regarding rabies vaccination requirements for dogs and cats.
• Assist with intake/reclaim/adoption paperwork.
• Other duties as needed by management.
• Disaster response as required by incident.

Skills

Animal handling

Animal behavior knowledge

Restraint techniques

Cleaning & disinfection

Medication administration

Disease knowledge

Monitoring animal status

Education

High school diploma

Job description

The primary purpose of this position is to perform all necessary work involved in maintaining the animal housing areas within Craven Pamlico Animal Services Center in a sanitary and pleasant condition. This position is responsible for the welfare and disposition of the animals including but is not limited to triage exam, assisting with surgical procedures, administration of medications, vaccine administration, records completion, adopter communication and education. This also includes upkeep of the surgical suite and equipment with routine maintenance and cleaning.

75% Animal Care / Cleaning

• Thoroughly clean and disinfect all animal housing areas (cages, runs, related areas) as often as necessary.
• Provide shelter animals with proper food and water.
• Give shelter animals prescribed medications as required and document on medical logs accordingly.
• Wash and sterilize water and food bowls.
• Launder animal bedding and other items as necessary.
• Groom and exercise animals as necessary.
• Routinely observe animal appearance and activity.
• Be aware of and report any signs of illness, disease, and/or injury to supervisor or veterinarian for evaluation.
• Recognize, record, and report any unusual condition or abnormal behavior of any shelter animal.
• Receive animals through shelter intake process and check for microchip identification when needed. Ensure proper identification and information is posted on kennel/cage and matches PetPoints documentation.
• Update or have supervisor update animal location and/or any information in PetPoints when an animal is moved or changes occur.
• Be familiar with animals available for adoption, assist the public with appropriate adoption choices to include introductions, providing pertinent information about the animals, and meet and greets between current pet(s) and the animal being considered for adoption.
• Release animals to owners only after verifying proper documentation and vaccinations have been completed.
• Assist public, other shelter staff, and Animal Control Officers with handling or restraint of animals following policy and procedures to ensure safety of people and animal(s).
• If certified to do so, vaccinate animals as assigned.
• Assist veterinarian with surgical procedures.
• Assist with behavior evaluations of shelter animals when necessary.
• Based on credentials, perform or assist with euthanasia of identified animals when deemed necessary.
• General cleaning of other shelter areas (inside and outside) - pick up trash, sweep, mop, empty trash, etc. Ensure areas safe and clean for animals and the public.
• Maintain equipment used to complete job assignments and keeping such equipment and tools in good working condition. Keep equipment and tools put away in proper storage areas.
• Unpacking, labeling, and stocking of shelter supplies and donations.
• Assist with monitoring inventory of supplies and notify supervisor of items that need to be ordered.

20% Administrative

• Answer phones and greet the public entering the shelter.
• Answering questions and providing appropriate information regarding shelter animals and adoption or reclaim procedures.
• Provide public education regarding rabies vaccination requirements for dogs and cats.
• Assist with intake/reclaim/adoption paperwork.
• Other administrative duties assigned as needed.

5% Other

• In the event of a disaster, may be required to assist as needed.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor and/or management.

Graduation from high school and one year of animal handling experience.

Special Requirements

G.S. 153A-94.2(b) Subject to SBI criminal history record check prior to hire.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge and skills in basic animal behavior and controlling/handling individual animal temperament. Proper methods of restraint and the ability to gain animal confidence when restraining. Cleaning and disinfecting methods and the use and care of cleaning materials and equipment. Knowledge of common diseases, their symptoms and means of transmission, administration of medications, assessment of change in animal status.

Physical Requirements

Employee must be able to handle and control animals to prevent injury to themselves, other people, and the animal(s). Must be physically able to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions. Must be able bend, stoop, kneel, and lift / move heavy animals or objects. A significant amount of walking and standing is also required.