Location: Asheville Humane Society - Animal Care Campus

Regular schedule: Part-time, approximately 24 hours per week; schedule may vary based on organizational needs, with shifts between 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. or 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Pay: Starting at $16.15/hour, with increases at 6 months and 1 year of employment

Help Animals Thrive Every Day

Every animal in our care deserves consistent, compassionate care—and the people who provide that care play an essential role in making that possible.

As Animal Care, you'll provide the hands-on daily care that keeps animals healthy, comfortable, and ready for their next step. You'll clean animal areas, feed and water animals, administer medications, provide enrichment, walk dogs, and monitor animals for changes in health or behavior.

This is an active, physically demanding position where no two days are exactly alike. You'll work directly with animals of different sizes, ages, temperaments, and needs while following safe handling, cleaning, and care protocols. You'll also work closely with volunteers and other departments to make sure animals receive consistent care throughout their time with Asheville Humane Society.

If you're dependable, comfortable with physical work, enjoy working with animals, and want to make a difference through the care you provide every day, we'd love to meet you.

What You'll Do

As a member of the Animal Care Team, you'll work closely with other Animal Care staff, volunteers, and departments across Asheville Humane Society to provide safe, consistent, and compassionate care for animals at the shelter.

Responsibilities include:

• Maintain a working knowledge of all animals housed at the Shelter and Adoption Center.
• Ensure every animal's physical and behavioral needs are consistently met using the Five Domains framework.
• Follow all cleaning, medication, and safe animal handling protocols.
• Clean animal areas daily, including laundry, dishes, and mopping public areas as needed.
• Feed, water, walk, medicate, and provide enrichment for animals according to established care protocols.
• Monitor animal health, behavior, and temperament and report concerns to the appropriate department.
• Monitor animal care supplies and report inventory needs, equipment concerns, and building repairs as necessary.
• Assist in maintaining the overall cleanliness and organization of shelter buildings and grounds.
• Properly store and inventory delivered supplies, equipment, and donations.
• Respond to departmental requests that require animal care assistance.
• Assist the Medical and Behavior Departments with handling, restraining, moving, and medicating animals.
• Understand AHS euthanasia policies and follow appropriate communication protocols.
• Attend mandatory staff training and meetings as assigned.
• Successfully complete the Fear Free Shelter course within 90 days of hire.
• Collaborate with volunteers by providing clear communication, guidance, and support while working toward shared goals.
• Perform other duties that support the mission and daily operations of Asheville Humane Society as directed.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Basic computer skills.
• Ability to properly utilize shelter software.
• Ability to safely handle animals and apply appropriate handling techniques based on individual animal temperament and behavior.
• Ability to follow established cleaning, animal care, medication, and safety protocols.
• Ability to work professionally and collaboratively with volunteers and coworkers.
• Dependable attendance and the ability to consistently work assigned shifts.

Preferred

• Previous experience working with animals.
• Previous experience in an animal shelter, veterinary, kennel, boarding, rescue, or other animal-related environment.
• Experience working with animals of varying sizes, ages, and temperaments.
• Experience working in a physically demanding or fast-paced environment.

Physical Requirements

This position requires frequent standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and handling animals throughout the day. Applicants should be able to safely lift items weighing up to 50 pounds to a height of 4 feet and safely handle and restrain dogs weighing up to 150 pounds.

The position involves working with animals of varying sizes, ages, temperaments, and behavioral needs in a shelter environment that may include cleaning products, animal dander, noise, and occasional exposure to bodily fluids.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Benefits

• 30 hours of paid time off during the first year
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program that provides free, confidential counseling
• Paid Holidays
• Pet Bereavement Leave
• Pet prescription discounts

 Some benefits begin after 60 days of employment.