Canine Adoption Specialist

Our Companions Animal Rescue; Manchester (CT); Hybrid; USD 63,039,000 - 68,770,000; Full time

Job summary

Our Companions Animal Rescue seeks a Canine Adoption Specialist to enrich canine adoption programs through relationship-building with adoptable dogs and community partners. The role blends outreach, adoption meetings, and content creation with flexible hybrid schedules across our Ashford sanctuary and Manchester CT program center.

The ideal candidate has force-free dog training experience, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to handle weekend appointments and events.

Qualifications

• Experience with force-free, positive reinforcement dog training.
• Ability to work in a mixed schedule including evenings and weekends.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Comfortable with public events and driving to outreach locations.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate adoptable visits and relationship-building with dogs.
• Write adoption bios and maintain online listings for adoptable dogs.
• Respond to adoption inquiries and match adopters to programs.
• Schedule Meet & Greets, home visits, and post-adoption follow-ups.
• Support events and training sessions at the sanctuary and partner sites.

Skills

Dog training

Public communication

Interpersonal skills

Driver's license

Computer literacy

Tools

ShelterLuv

Job description

About Us

Our Mission: We are committed to advocating for animals in need by engaging compassionate people to provide innovative community programs. It is our promise to always do the right thing for animals.

At Our Companions Animal Rescue, we believe in creating a community whose culture is built on our shared core values of Respect, Compassion, Cooperation, Innovation, and Trust. We invite those to join our staff who genuinely share and demonstrate these values.

Our Programs and What You’ll Do

Our Companions Canine Programs consist of several collaborative teams that provide holistic and individualized care and support to both people and animals across our Sanctuary, municipal animal control shelters, rescue partners, and broader community.

The Canine Adoption Specialist will work in coordination with the Adoption Program Manager and the Director of Canine Behavior Programs to enrich our canine adoption programs with the goal of supporting both dogs and potential adopters within our sanctuary and community partners throughout the adoption process. This role is an exciting mix of relationship building and handling time with our adoptable dogs and flexible case work and management in accordance with adoption procedures. Special events and marketing opportunities are also a key component to the success of these programs.

The ideal candidate will have foundational handling and training experience with confidence in navigating dogs through public facing events, adoption meetings, and marketable content sessions. They should also be people-forward with excellent interpersonal communication skills expected from a public-facing position.

Reports To:

Director of Canine Behavior Programs

Job Location:

This role is split between our Sanctuary in Ashford and our Program Center in Manchester CT with occasional travel requirements to events, shelter partners, and home visits within a 60-mile radius of our center. Flexible hybrid schedules are available for work that can be completed remotely. Evening and weekend hours should be expected asneededfor adoption meetings and events.

Adoptable Dog Visits & Relationship Building (8 to 12 hrs per week)

• Schedule regular relationship-building sessions with adoptable sanctuary dogs
• Learn to perform and transfer introduction protocols and foundational training skills for adoptable sanctuary dogs
• Rehearse mock adoptions, training skills as taught by Sanctuary Canine Team
• Discuss behavioral changes or training concerns with Sanctuary Canine Team
• Coordinate and schedule community dog/shelter visits
• Follow general training goals and plans for shelter/community dogs Assist local shelter partners in adoption meetings for shelter dogs
• Take pictures and videos of all adoptable dogs

Adoption Case Work (20 to 25 hrs per week)

• Write adoption bios and marketing materials for adoptable animals
• Upload and maintain online webpages and adoption listings for adoptable dogs
• Respond to canine adoption inquiries from our Helpline
• Consult with potential adopters on adoption needs, program requirements, and adoption match-making program through Sanctuary and Community Dog programs
• Screen canine adoption applications
• Manage notes, applicant reports, and status in ShelterLuv
• Coordinate adoption related meetings (Meet and Greets, home visits, adoptions) adoption meetings with adopters and staff
• Provide post-adoption follow-up and coordinate support for adopted dogs in sanctuary and community programs

General Program/Office Requirements

• Set and maintain clear schedule with location availability with coordination across Sanctuary and local shelter partners
• Attend Monthly Canine Adoption Team and Program Team Meetings
• Communicate professionally and compassionately with pet guardians, animal control officers, volunteers, and other animal professionals within our programs
• Work with Director of Canine Behavior Programs to develop and update program operations as applicable

Special Events & Handling

• Identify adoptable sanctuary and shelter dogs who would thrive in relevant event environments such as farmers markets, animal welfare fairs, tabling events, and partner collaborations
• Coordinate travel and handling for adoptable dogs to and from events
• Manage environmental needs, training protocols, and stress-reducing procedures for adoptable dogs at events
• Assist in set up and take down of events where adoptable dogs are present
• Take photo/video and other content of the events
• Help to identify potential events for adoptable animal attendance

What You Need to Get the Job Done (Minimum Qualifications)

• Experience with force-free, positive reinforcement dog training and handling (2+ years)
• Understand dog body language required to maintain low stress and safety of both animals and people in the working and training environmen t
• Excellent interpersonal skills as well as oral and written communication skills
• Flexibility in scheduling for both client coordination, required staff meetings, and additional training hours as needed, with regular weekend appointments
• Ability to work independently as well as be a team player
• Ability to drive a vehicle, and a valid driver’s license required
• Basic computer knowledge and ability to learn industry specific software
• Manual dexterity and physical ability sufficient for handling animals safely
• Ability to walk or stand for extended periods of time
• Ability to frequently work in a bending position
• Ability to tolerate animal fur and dander

Employee Labor Status:

Non-exempt hourly

Hours: 35 to 40 hrs per week

Pay Range:

$22 to $24 per hour based on experience