What are the responsibilities and job description for the Animal Care Specialist position at Huntington County Humane Society?
Overview
If you love animals but also understand that caring for them means cleaning kennels, doing laundry, scrubbing messes, moving quickly, following procedures, and doing the hard work before the fun stuff, this may be the job for you.
Huntington County Humane Society is looking for a dependable, hardworking Animal Care Specialist to join our shelter team. This is a hands-on animal care position responsible for helping keep our dogs and cats healthy, comfortable, clean, safe, and cared for while they wait for their next chapter.
What You'll Do
Animal care comes first. Every day.
Responsibilities include:
- Cleaning and sanitizing dog kennels, cat kennels, animal rooms, dishes, litter boxes, and common areas
- Feeding animals and providing fresh water according to established schedules and instructions
- Completing laundry, dishes, stocking, and other daily shelter-care tasks
- Providing appropriate enrichment, exercise, and socialization
- Observing animals for changes in health, behavior, appetite, or condition and promptly reporting concerns
- Safely handling dogs and cats with a wide range of sizes, personalities, behaviors, and backgrounds
- Following disease-prevention, sanitation, isolation, and safety protocols
- Assisting with animal movement, intake, adoption preparation, and other shelter operations as needed
- Working efficiently as part of a team and helping wherever the animals need you most
What We're Looking For
We don't expect you to know everything on day one. We do expect reliability, urgency, good judgment, and a willingness to learn.
The right person:
- Shows up on time and ready to work
- Can stay focused and complete assigned tasks efficiently
- Understands that animal care tasks take priority
- Can accept direction, coaching, and constructive feedback
- Notices what needs to be done and takes initiative
- Works well independently without needing constant supervision
- Communicates clearly with coworkers and leadership
- Remains compassionate and professional during stressful or emotional situations
- Is comfortable working around barking, odors, bodily fluids, frightened animals, and occasionally difficult animal behaviors
- Understands that shelter work can be physically and emotionally demanding
- Treats every person AND animal with patience, respect, and kindness
Previous shelter, veterinary, kennel, animal handling, or professional cleaning experience is helpful, but reliability and work ethic matter just as much to us.
Physical & Scheduling Requirements
This is an active job. Team members should be able to stand and walk for extended periods, bend, kneel, reach, scrub, lift and carry supplies, and safely handle animals of varying sizes.
Our animals require care 365 days a year. Weekend and holiday availability may be required. Applicants should understand that shelter operations continue regardless of weather, holidays, or whether we are open to the public.
Pay: $14.00 - $16.00 per hour
Expected hours: 40.0 per week
Benefits:
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
Work Location: In person
Salary : $14 - $16