Position: Director of Canine Care

All Kind is a non-profit organization that seeks to improve animal welfare in the city of Abilene by building a new animal shelter facility, decreasing homeless pet overpopulation through accessible spay/neuter programs, increasing pet retention through expanded foster programming and adoption events, and offering greater education and resources through community outreach. 

—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

All Kind seeks a dedicated and mission-driven individual to drive our mission of increasing Canine lifesavings through our foster and adoption programs, rescue transports, enrichment programs and daily care. As a Department Director at All Kind, you’ll play a pivotal role in achieving our organization’s mission, core values and goals.  In this role, you will provide essential oversight for the health, care and overall well-being of the Canines under our protection. Beyond daily hands-on care, you’ll serve as a leader and mentor for team members, offering guidance, training, and supervision in their respective areas. 

Location: Abilene Animal Shelter, 925 S. 25th St.

Compensation: Full-time salaried, commensurate with experience

Full-Time Benefits include: Health insurance, PTO, life insurance, 401K plan

Supervisor: Works closely with and reports directly to the Chief of Lifesaving Operations

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND EXPERIENCE

The Director of Canine Care is critical to our organization’s success and instrumental in helping us earn the designation of a no-kill shelter by saving and improving the lives of Canines in our care. 

1+ years experience working with Canines such as providing daily care, behavior, holding, medicating, vaccinating, microchipping, loading, and unloading from cages and/or vehicles.

Experience in a leadership position with strong and transferable skills, preferably from a non-profit animal welfare organization or animal shelter, is required.

Highly motivated self-starter with strong time management, organizational, and problem solving skills, the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment, balance multiple projects, and meet deadlines.

A passion for and a deep commitment to All Kind’s mission, animal welfare and for helping community members. 

Certification as a Euthanasia Technician for the State of Texas is required within 6 months of employment.

Additional certifications or training in Canine behavior, Fear Free, or other national animal welfare programs is preferred.

A high school diploma or a GED is required.

A valid Texas driver’s license is required. Maintaining a satisfactory driving record is an ongoing condition of employment.

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Develop and implement strategic plans to enhance Canine lifesaving efforts, setting clear goals and objectives aimed at increasing adoptions, fosters, rescue transports and enrichment for Canines in our care.

Collaborate closely with the Lead Canine Technicians to train, motivate and support team members.

Cultivate and maintain relationships with retail stores to facilitate adoptions and promote Canine welfare. Ensure seamless coordination, resolve any issues promptly, and maintain a positive partnership.

Coordinate medical care with the vet tech team to ensure selected Canines have been spayed/neutered if age-appropriate and health certified prior to entering the program.

Oversee the Canine Foster & Rescue Coordinator in building and maintaining a robust network of Canine fosters; coordinating with fosters to determine the best outcome for Canines in foster care; and coordinating/executing rescue transports.

Build and execute a thriving Canine enrichment program that includes all Canines in our care.

Assess Canine appearance and activity for general physical condition, obvious signs of illness, disease, discontent and take necessary action as appropriate.

Immediately report signs of illness, disease, injury or unusual activity to vet technicians for follow up care.  Monitor and follow up on Canines that are not responding to treatment in a timely manner. Identify Canines that are not thriving and need to be humanely euthanized.  

Utilize and train technicians on Canine handling skills to provide a safe and friendly environment for the Canines and prevent bites and scratches to team members.

Ensure that Canines are properly identified with fully completed kennel cards, to include engaging bios and photos.

Administer vaccines, microchips, and medications and perform minor testing as needed. 

Input data into Shelterluv (software management system) as well as digital images of Canines for posting on social media platforms and sending to rescue partners. 

Provide excellent customer service for citizens in person, via email, and over the telephone.

Collect and analyze data related to Canine lifesaving efforts, using insights to drive continuous program improvement.

Ensure that work areas are thoroughly and routinely cleaned; that waste is collected and properly removed. 

Perform other job duties and responsibilities as assigned.

ESSENTIAL MANAGER DUTIES

Implement and ensure adherence to systems, policies and procedures and identify systems and processes that are ineffective and determine needed policy and operational changes, find solutions and implement new strategies.

Make sure all animal locations and other data are correct in Shelterluv, including up to date pictures and bios.

Check Shelterluv to see who needs to receive medical or be re-vaccinated and ensure all Canines receive vaccinations or medical care in a timely manner.

Stay informed about industry best practices and trends in Canine care and welfare.

Identify areas for improvement and implement changes to enhance the organization’s lifesaving efforts. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

How to control / handle individual animals (no matter the temperament) to gain the animal’s confidence and trust and prevent bites and scratches. 

General knowledge of animal health and welfare with the ability to learn about common diseases, their symptoms, and means of transmission.

Materials, methods, and practices used in cleaning operations to prevent disease transmission.

Proper animal handling skills, animal welfare, shelter medicine, animal temperament, and herd health practices.

Computer data entry operations and queries, specifically Shelterluv or other pet management software.

Skill to:

Operate a variety of animal equipment and tools including control pole, lead rope, portable cage, euthanasia materials, and cleaning apparatus.

Listen, evaluate and understand the needs of customers when matching adoptable animals with the customer.

Operate basic office equipment including a computer, copier, multi-line telephone, label maker, scanner, and two-way radios.

Ability to:

Properly restrain Canines, to prevent injuries to the Canine and team members, for procedures performed by the technicians or veterinarian.

Administer oral medications, vaccinations, and microchips.

Learn occupational hazards and  apply standard safety precautions in handling animals.

Prepare and maintain routine records; preserve confidentiality of client information.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment: 

At times, the Director of Canine Care may be exposed to zoonotic diseases, bites, scratches, loud noises, animal waste, kennel cleaners and disinfectants, animal bedding, and dishes. Allergic conditions which would be aggravated when handling or working near/with Canines may be a disqualification.

Withstand exposure to animal noise, unpleasant odors, cold, heat, outdoors, vibration and chemicals.

Ability to maneuver and walk on wet floor surfaces.

Walking and/or standing for extended periods of time. Ability to work in a bent over or squatting position.