Pet Adoption Counselor Job Description

Position Overview:

Pet adoption counselors are responsible for facilitating the adoption of cats and dogs at Kind Keeper Animal Rescue. They work closely with the shelter director, shelter manager, medical staff, volunteers and office staff. They must have an understanding of common health issue that affect dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens. Pet adoption counselors are critical to ensuring that pet adoption result in lasting bonds between humans and animals. Highly skilled counselors can minimize returns and make sure that most adopted animals are matched with owners committed to their lifelong care.

The counselor assesses the personalities and needs of each animal and determines whether a potential adopter or family of adopters is a good match. When they assess that an adopter is not the right fit for a given animal, they must be able to explain their decision and direct the adopter to an animal that is a better fit; or recommend that they wait until a better fit becomes available. There may be times when they recommend that the adopter look for a pet at another shelter or rescue.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

The job generally requires the ability to do the following tasks:

• Inquiries: Gets potential adopters in to meet animals

- Emails - Petfinder and other sites, Shelterluv (JotForm)

- Phone calls (all numbers available, leave messages)

- Contacts on the “dogs wanted” list

• Reviews adoption applications (paper and Shelterluv)

• Ensures animal adoption policies and procedures are followed

• Introduces animals to potential adopters at the shelter (and off site events) and explain adoption process

- May delegate animal showings to staff or trained volunteers

- May delegate meet & greet activities to staff or trained volunteers

• Observes interactions between pets and potential adopters

• Schedules volunteers/staff to bathe animals prior to “go home” appointment

• Ensures that all adopters receive information and counseling specific for the ongoing needs and care of the animal that they are adopting. (Health records, veterinary follow up needs, behavior/training needs, and adaptation process to a new home)

• Puts public safety first when evaluating and matching appropriate animals to new homes

• Processes adoption applications (to include):

• Print and call on all adoption applications that come through email. Keep for 3 months

• Review and call on all adoption applications that come through Shelterluv

- Make sure all information is completed. Follow Adoption Checklist

- Call on ALL adoption applications for landlord, HOA, and veterinarian. MUST speak to landlord or HOA and get email on letterhead with named individual on the application and pet policy.

- Need proof of pet fee paid if required by HOA

- Print all letters from HOAs and landlords and put them with the adoption application on file.

- At the end of each day, print the calendar of animals scheduled to go home. Give a copy to the Vet Tech and Vet Tech Assistant to ensure that all medical forms are completed and placed in animals’ folders prior to going home time

- Ask Vet Tech to schedule spay/neuter appointments on the “go home” closest to adopter’s home

• Find/arrange transport for animals going out.

- If health certificate is needed, make the appointment at Banfield

- Find out the cost for the certificate and transport

- Get payment from the adopter for total cost (transport/certificate)

• Finalizes adoption process at the time of pick up (includes all payments, contracts, and Shelterluv checkout)

- Encourage donations

- Encourage purchase of pet health insurance/pet training

• Ensure files are assembled and filed appropriately when completed

- Make sure animals are “attached” to the correct “person” file in Shelterluv

- Ensure kennel cards are pulled and placed in file

- Ensure all paperwork (adoption application/contract, medical records) are appropriately filed in the paper record

• Puts all new adopters’ email into mail chimp

• Conduct adoption follow up calls within 3 days of adoption to assess how the animal is adapting to their new environment. Email adopter if not able to contact by phone. Document each follow up call/email and initial the documentation.

• Assess adoption items inventory (handouts, coupons, and items for go home bags) and communicate inventory replacement (including reproduction of forms) to director or designee.

• Assemble “go home” dog and cat bags (can be delegated to volunteers)

• Update adoption numbers and review with accounting staff

• Promote adoptable pets visibility on social media sites

- Facebook, Nextdoor, LinkedIn, Twitter, TikTok, Alignable

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $11.00 - $14.00 per hour

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Experience:

• Animal handling: 1 year (Required)

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (Preferred)

Work Location: In person