Director of Animal Welfare

Alaqua Animal Refuge, Inc.; Freeport (FL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Alaqua Animal Refuge in Freeport, FL seeks a Director of Animal Welfare to lead the ethical and operational care of all animals across the organization, working with our veterinary team and leadership to ensure exceptional daily care and lifesaving impact.

You will guide intake and capacity planning, oversee cruelty and large‑scale rescue cases, collaborate on medical protocols, and mentor a devoted team of animal care staff.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in animal welfare and sheltering.
• Experience managing cruelty, neglect, or large-scale rescue cases.
• Strong knowledge of humane care standards across multiple species.
• Experience with documentation, case management, and reporting.
• Proven leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee humane care standards for all species.
• Partner with veterinary and intake teams for thoughtful intake decisions.
• Coordinate cruelty, neglect, and large-scale seizure cases.
• Support treatment plans with the Medical Director and implement protocols.
• Lead and mentor animal care supervisors and staff.
• Assist with grants, reporting, and policy development.

Skills

Animal welfare

Shelter operations

Leadership

Communication

Documentation & reporting

Job description

Director of Animal Welfare

Full Time/ Exempt

Alaqua Animal Refuge | Freeport, FL

Lead with Compassion. Advocate with Integrity. Change Lives.

At Alaqua Animal Refuge, we believe every animal deserves safety, dignity, and a chance at a better life. As one of the Southeast's premier no-kill animal welfare organizations, we rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome thousands of animals each year while serving as a leader in animal cruelty response and advocacy.

We're seeking an experienced and passionate Director of Animal Welfare to help shape the future of animal care at Alaqua. This is more than a management position—it's an opportunity to protect vulnerable animals, guide ethical decision-making, and lead a dedicated team committed to making a lasting impact.

If you're an experienced animal welfare professional who thrives in a collaborative environment and believes compassion and accountability go hand in hand, we'd love to hear from you.

What You’ll Do

As the Director of Animal Welfare, you'll serve as the ethical and operational leader for animal care across the organization. Working closely with our veterinary team, operations staff, and leadership, you’ll ensure that every animal receives exceptional care while helping Alaqua responsibly expand its lifesaving impact.

Key Responsibilities

Champion Animal Welfare

• Oversee and uphold humane care standards for all species.
• Ensure proper housing, enrichment, handling, and daily care practices.
• Monitor and continuously improve animal welfare programs.

Guide Intake and Capacity Planning

• Partner with veterinary and intake teams to make thoughtful, mission-driven intake decisions.
• Balance animal needs, medical resources, staffing, and facility capacity.
• Help maximize Alaqua's ability to save lives responsibly.

Lead Cruelty and Large-Scale Rescue Cases

• Coordinate and oversee animal cruelty, neglect, and large-scale seizure cases.
• Maintain accurate documentation for medical treatment, expenses, and legal proceedings.
• Work alongside law enforcement and internal teams to ensure accountability and transparency.

Collaborate with Veterinary Leadership

• Support treatment plans and welfare decisions with the Medical Director.
• Help implement medical protocols across animal care teams.
• Ensure daily care aligns with veterinary best practices.

Develop and Inspire Teams

• Lead, mentor, and support animal care supervisors and staff.
• Foster a culture of accountability, compassion, and continuous learning.
• Address animal welfare concerns promptly and professionally.

Support the Mission Beyond Daily Care

• Assist with grants and reporting related to animal care and cruelty response.
• Develop and maintain policies and standard operating procedures.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations and industry best practices.

What We’re Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Significant experience in animal welfare, sheltering, rescue, sanctuary, veterinary medicine, or a related field.
• Experience managing cruelty, neglect, or large-scale animal rescue cases.
• Strong knowledge of humane care standards across multiple species.
• Experience with documentation, case management, and reporting.
• Proven leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.

The Ideal Candidate Is:

• Passionate about animal welfare and the human-animal bond.
• A calm and confident leader during high-stress situations.
• Ethical, compassionate, and willing to advocate for animals.
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail.
• Collaborative and committed to building strong relationships across departments.

Why You’ll Love Working at Alaqua

At Alaqua Animal Refuge, you'll join a team of passionate professionals dedicated to making a difference every single day. This role offers the opportunity to:

• Lead meaningful, lifesaving work.
• Shape the future of animal welfare programs.
• Play a critical role in animal cruelty investigations and rescue efforts.
• Collaborate with an exceptional team of veterinary and animal care professionals.
• Make a lasting impact on thousands of animals and the people who love them.

Working Conditions

This position requires flexibility and the ability to work in a fast-paced animal welfare environment. Candidates should be comfortable working around a wide variety of animal species and responding to emergency or large-scale animal rescue situations when needed.

Join Our Mission

At Alaqua Animal Refuge, we don't just care for animals—we advocate for them, protect them, and give them a second chance.