Join Our Pack & Pride as a Pet Retention & Support Coordinator!

Salary up to $50,000 annually based on experience | Comprehensive Benefits Package | Full-time, 40 hours/week

Are you passionate about helping pets stay with the people who love them? Do you believe that sometimes a little support, the right resource, or a helping hand can make the difference between a pet staying at home and entering the shelter?

If you're a compassionate, resourceful animal welfare professional who enjoys connecting people with solutions and creating positive outcomes for pets and their families, the Humane Society of Sarasota County (HSSC) wants you on our team.

Why HSSC?

At HSSC, we're more than a shelter. We're a community-driven organization dedicated to saving lives, strengthening the human-animal bond, and providing compassionate care for animals in need.

Sometimes, the best way to help an animal is to prevent them from entering the shelter in the first place. Through programs like Rehome Assistance, the Community Pet Food Pantry, and the Community Cat Program, HSSC connects families and community members with resources, services, and support that help animals remain safely in their homes and communities. 

As our Pet Retention and Support Coordinator, you'll help lead these community-based lifesaving efforts, prevent avoidable surrenders, strengthen community partnerships, and expand HSSC's impact beyond the shelter walls. 

Why You'll Love This Role:

• Help Keep Pets and People Together. Connect families with resources and support that can help prevent avoidable shelter surrenders.
• Make an Impact Beyond the Shelter Walls. Help animals throughout our community through programs designed to provide support before shelter admission becomes necessary.
• Lead Programs That Matter. Coordinate HSSC's Rehome Assistance, Community Pet Food Pantry, and Community Cat Program. 
• Build Meaningful Community Partnerships. Work with veterinary providers, volunteers, donors, service organizations, and community partners to strengthen the resources available to pets and their people.
• Be a Resource for Our Community. Provide education and outreach that helps community members better understand the programs, services, and resources available through HSSC.
• See the Bigger Picture. Track program performance and help identify opportunities to strengthen HSSC's community-based lifesaving efforts. 

What the Day Really Looks Like:

• Coordinate Pet Retention Programs. Manage the daily operations and administration of HSSC's Rehome Assistance, Community Pet Food Pantry, and Community Cat programs.
• Support Community Cats. Coordinate TNVR education, community requests, spay/neuter appointments, grant eligibility, billing, and program records. 
• Keep the Pet Food Pantry Running. Manage inventory, distribution, records, and accessibility while coordinating with Welcome Center staff and volunteers.
• Connect People with Solutions. Help ensure HSSC's pet retention and support programs operate effectively and provide meaningful resources to animals and families in our community. 
• Develop Community Partnerships. Build and maintain collaborative relationships with local nonprofit organizations, animal welfare agencies, veterinary providers, and other community partners to expand resources, strength services, and advance shared lifesaving goals. 
• Strengthen Community Collaboration. Identify opportunities to work alongside local organizations and service providers to develop partnerships, coordinate resources, and expand access to HSSC programs and services. 
• Track the Impact. Maintain program records, statistics, inventory, funding documentation, and reporting while monitoring program performance. 
• Support Continued Growth. Assist with grants, reporting requirements, funding opportunities, and other initiatives that help HSSC's community programs succeed.

You're a Perfect Fit If You...

• Have three or more years of animal shelter experience, preferably including at least one year in a supervisory, coordinator, or lead role. 
• Are highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable balancing multiple programs and priorities.
• Have excellent written and verbal communication skills and feel comfortable speaking with members of the public.
• Enjoy building relationships with volunteers, community partners, veterinary providers, and the people HSSC serves.
• Have Fear Free animal handling experience. 
• Can safely and compassionately work with cats and dogs of varying sizes and temperaments. 
• Can approach sensitive or emotionally difficult situations with professionalism, empathy, and resilience.
• Are comfortable using Microsoft Office; experience with volunteer management systems such as Rosterfy, VolunteerHub, Volgistics, or similar software is a plus.
• Have a high school diploma or GED, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Are passionate about animal welfare and aligned with HSSC's mission and values.

The Nuts & Bolts:

• Full-time, exempt/salaried position
• 40 hours per week
• Department: Intake & Foster
• Reports to: Intake & Foster Manager
• Occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays may be needed based on operational needs
• This position does not supervise staff
• Shelter-based role with frequent interaction with cats and dogs of varying sizes and temperaments
• Position may involve lifting and carrying animals and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds

Ready to Help Keep Pets Where They Belong?

If you're looking for a rewarding career where you can help keep pets with the people who love them, connect families with meaningful resources, and expand lifesaving efforts throughout our community, we'd love to meet you.

Together, we save lives.