Position Title: Dog Care

Type of Position: Up to full time hourly

Reports to: Chief of Operations, Team Supervisor

Job Summary:

At this position you will be hands-on with most aspects of PSDS. Primary responsibilities will be direct dog care including but not limited to feeding, enrichment, cleaning, laundry, record keeping,engaging with volunteers and certain office tasks.

About Pepper’s Senior Dog Sanctuary:

We provide senior dogs with a compassionate, forever home, at our veterinarian-supervised sanctuary. We care for our dogs for all the days of their lives, including hospice needs. We are the premier “dog retirement community” for canines who need us most - forever. We fill a unique need and space in senior dog sanctuaries. While you won’t find shuffleboard at our sanctuary, our seniors have other amenities and supports that make Pepper’s a well-deserved luxury for senior dogs. We provide small group and one-on-one care; enormous space to play, lounge, and sleep kiddie-poolside; individual bedroom suites; professionally trained staff and volunteers; and dedicated physical therapy and medical care. Dogs who become part of the Pepper’s family win the retirement lottery.

We officially opened in 2023, when construction was completed on our first-rate sanctuary. The dogs we’ve already welcomed, currently live between our leadership team and at the sanctuary. We are presently focused on raising the funds to complete our $5 million capital campaign.

Pepper’s only adopts dogs from area shelters and rescues, helping to ease the burden of overcrowding. The ASPCA estimates that approximately 670,000 dogs who enter U.S. shelters each year are euthanized. Sadly, many of these dogs who are considered seniors and special needs dogs are prematurely or unnecessarily euthanized due to age, special medical needs, testing heartworm positive, or having a disability. At Pepper’s, age and appearances don’t matter – we’re specially equipped to care for elderly and special needs dogs for their entire journey. Please feel free to check us out on youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@psds.

Benefits:

• Health insurance after 90 days of full time employment.
• Qualifies for PSLF student loan repayment.

Responsibilities include, but may not be limited, to:

• Dog Care
• Prepare and provide food and water to dogs.
• Maintain strict dietary requirements for each dog.
• Provide potty breaks and exercise for dogs.
• Assist with and perform husbandry tasks including but not limited to trimming nails, cleaning ears, bathing, etc.
• Administering medication after training to dogs as directed by medical staff.
• Providing specialized care for dogs post-surgery who need additional intervention.
• Engaging dogs in age-appropriate and health socialization activities and keeping clear records for each puppy.
• Making Kongs and cutting treats.

• Bedroom Care
• Daily cleaning, sanitizing and organizing of all indoor and outdoor dog areas, dog bedding, and play yards.
• Vacuuming, cleaning carpets, mopping, clearing drains, dusting, sweeping, and trash removal.
• Running, folding and organizing laundry.
• Daily inventory and organizing of items needed to care for dogs.
• Completing, maintaining and updating daily dog care records.

• Other duties
• Assist with departmental projects and specialized tasks
• Enter data into databases and spreadsheets.
• Participate in continuing education as requested.
• Other duties that may be as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• Highschool diploma or equivalent.
• Experience with dogs in a shelter or rescue environment is preferred.

Skills:

• Must be passionate about the humane treatment and care of animals
• Must be committed to the mission of PSDS
• Must be a self-starter with a high level of initiative
• Exceptional interpersonal skills
• Well-organized & must have a strong ability to multitask
• Must be willing to learn and use various communication and task management technology
• Highly ethical behavior and uncompromising advocacy for the dogs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Must be able to work independently and as part of a team
• Adaptability
• Attention to detail
• After 90 days there will be a performance review

Workplace Culture:

• Must be able to work in a dog-friendly environment
• Must be able to drive a motor vehicle locally to conduct sanctuary business; must have a valid driver’s license
• Must be able to frequently stand and move around the work areas (duties require sitting, bending, reaching, and stooping; manual dexterity, feeling and grasping is needed for keyboarding and other work tasks)
• Must be able to climb a flight of stairs to access upstairs business office
• Must frequently lift dogs and objects up to 50 pounds; may occasionally transport heavier pets and items
• Normal or corrected hearing and vision are required, along with speaking abilities
• Subject to noise with typical work environments involving dogs (barking, computers, printers, & office traffic)
• Must be willing to work evenings, weekends, and holidays, as needed
• Occasional out-of-the-area travel may be required for training, conferences, and to visit other sanctuaries
• This is a non smoking work environment

Position Type and Expected hours of work

• Full-time & part-time non-exempt positions available consisting of 20-40 hours of work per week. Hours of work are variable Sunday - Saturday from 8:00am- 8:00pm. This position will require working weekends, holidays, and being open to working additional shifts, including overnight shifts, on an as needed basis.

Want to be an integral part of the mission-driven work we do?

How to Apply:

• Please send a resume and cover letter to jobs@psds.org

Pepper’s Senior Dog Sanctuary Mission:

Pepper’s Senior Dog Sanctuary provides a compassionate, loving, lifelong home where elderly dogs are cared for during their good days, bad days, and last days.

*For more information on PSDS, please visit our website: www.psds.org.

Pepper’s Senior Dog Sanctuary provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $19.00 - $22.00 per hour

Expected hours: 20 – 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Day range:

• Holidays
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Shift:

• 10 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Night shift

Work setting:

• In-person

Experience:

• Dog handling: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: In person