Foster Care Programs Lead

Ruff Start Rescue; Princeton (AL); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Additional Insurance options

PTO

Employee Discount

Professional Development

Job summary

Ruff Start Rescue seeks a Foster Manager to support foster animals and homes from intake through adoption. You will be the primary contact for foster families, coordinating placements, tracking cases in ShelterLuv, and collaborating with medical and training teams to keep animals moving safely.

This full-time, salaried role combines administrative duties with direct foster communication. Some tasks may be remote, but you’ll need to be in the office at least two days per week and occasionally

Qualifications

• 2+ years of leadership, supervisory, or management experience.
• 2+ years of customer service or community engagement experience.
• Animal welfare, rescue, shelter, or foster program experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary point of contact for foster homes, providing timely support, guidance, and clear communication throughout the fostering experience.
• Coordinate foster placements, temporary care, and foster-to-foster moves based on animal and household needs.
• Respond to urgent or complex situations involving animal safety, behavior concerns, lost animals, bites, fights, or placement concerns.
• Provide practical behavioral support and collaborate with trainers, Medical, Intake, and other teams when additional expertise or coordination is needed.
• Oversee foster cases from intake through adoption, including placement needs, status updates, documentation, and follow-up.
• Maintain accurate and timely records in ShelterLuv and other approved systems.
• Support foster onboarding, Foster Coordinators, and the foster-application process.
• Collaborate across departments to ensure animals and foster homes receive coordinated support.
• Help strengthen foster engagement, retention, and overall satisfaction with the foster experience.

Skills

Leadership experience

Customer service

People-focused experience

Nonprofit / shelter experience

Job description

Ruff Start Rescue seeks a Foster Manager to support foster animals and homes from intake through adoption. You will be the primary contact for foster families, coordinating placements, tracking cases in ShelterLuv, and collaborating with medical and training teams to keep animals moving safely.

This full-time, salaried role combines administrative duties with direct foster communication. Some tasks may be remote, but you’ll need to be in the office at least two days per week and occasionally