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Position: Animal Care Lead

Department: Animal Care

Reports To: Animal Care Supervisor

Location: 3280 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, Chamblee, GA 30341

Summary:

LifeLine Animal Project is committed to the care and welfare of pets and the people who love them. The values we exhibit as an organization show the strength of our staff, our leadership and our community. We expect all employees to exhibit LifeLine’s core values as we complete daily tasks, provide services to clients and care for our animals.

The Animal Care Lead is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day care and well-being of all animals

at LifeLine Animal Project’s Community Animal Center. This position plays a key role in modeling

tasks for fellow animal care staff, ensuring that all animals receive high-quality, compassionate care,

and that the shelter environment remains clean, safe, and efficient. The Animal Care Lead

coordinates with the Animal Care Supervisor and other departments to ensure that all animals are

healthy, behaviorally sound, and ready for placement.

Essential Job Functions:

This represents a list of essential job duties. Other duties or special projects may be assigned as needed.

Uphold the standards and values of LifeLine Animal Project:

Save Lives -- Build Community -- Be Exceptional Stewards -- Be Courageous --

Be Compassionate -- Take Responsibility -- Respect, Embrace and Celebrate Diversity

Leadership Responsibilities:

• Monitor and oversee the daily work activities of the Animal Care staff.
• Ensure all staff are properly trained, receive ongoing skill development, and follow proper handling techniques for animals of varying temperaments and medical conditions.
• Communicate regularly with the Animal Care Supervisor to provide updates on animal care operations, staffing, and any challenges or concerns.
• Provide informal feedback and support to team members, helping them to develop their skills and grow within the organization.
• Monitor staff performance, provide feedback, and notify the Animal Care Supervisor with any issues or concerns.
• Foster a positive and collaborative working environment for staff, encouraging teamwork, communication, and a shared commitment to animal welfare.
• Maintain inventory and report supplies and materials needed in animal care.
• Collaborate with management on animal placement while exhibiting respect, and celebrating the diversity of those who are interested in adopting an animal
• Oversee pairing of animals, the placement and updating of kennel cards signage, walk boards signage, and PetPoint database.

General Animal Care Responsibilities:

• Assist with enrichment activities, toy and food distribution, dog walking and socialization of animals.
• Oversee a daily kennel inventory and assist with the daily care of all shelter animals
• Enforce and maintain disease control, animal health and sanitation protocols to further LifeLine’s mission to save lives.
• Ensure that all animal care activities comply with shelter policies and relevant regulations, including those related to health, safety, and animal welfare.
• Assist with animal euthanasia, vaccinate animals, deworm animals, scan animals for chips, and look for ID tags.
• Assist with administering medications or treatments to animals in assigned kennel section(s) daily as prescribed by Veterinarian.
• Safely and properly handle all animals including bite quarantine animals, vicious animals and feral cats.
• Recognize signs of stress, illness, or behavioral concerns and report them for further assessment or intervention.
• Assist in behavioral training or intervention programs as directed by supervising staff or behavior team.
• Ensure that animals are receiving appropriate care, including feeding, exercise, and medical needs, as directed by shelter veterinarians or behaviorists.
• Notify kennel management or veterinary personnel of animals in distress.
• Assist in the safe handling and movement of animals during intake, transport, and placement within/throughout/outside of the shelter.
• Maintain accurate and up to date records of animal care tasks, change in animal status or location, animal behavioral or medical incidents, health records, intake data, and any incidents or concerns; using the shelter’s animal management software.
• Observe and evaluate the behavior of animals during daily care routines, noting any significant changes or potential concerns.
• Exhibit exceptional stewardship by supporting the cleanliness and organization of the shelter’s walkways, animal areas, and work areas and ensure equipment is properly maintained and operational.
• Courageously lead by example, modeling proper animal handling techniques, safety protocols, and compassionate care.
• Coordinate the movement of animals within the shelter, including assisting with transfers as necessary.
• Administer medications or treatments as directed by the Animal Care Manager or Veterinarian.
• Take responsibility to work with the relevant team to develop and implement enrichment activities that support animals' mental and emotional well-being.
• Help strengthen and build a community of animal welfare advocates by supporting and engaging the volunteers who aid the animal care teams.
• Continue education by participating in LifeLine’s 40-hour annual training requirement.
• Willingness to participate in cross training with other departments.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

• Compassion for animals and the people who love and care for them.
• Ability to serve the public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to stand for extended periods (up to 12 hours a day) and to bend and reach to perform assigned work activities.
• Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs. without assistance.
• Ability to communicate, understand and follow a variety of oral and written instructions/procedures.
• Ability to work well in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Comfortable working with dogs and cats of all sizes, breeds, and temperaments.
• Basic animal medical and behavior knowledge (preferred)
• Ability to follow safety protocols and handle challenging situations with calmness and professionalism.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multiple departments to ensure efficient shelter operations.
• Ability to interact with impounded dogs, cats and other animals including vicious, stray, sick or injured animals.
• Ability to handle seeing and dealing with animals that have been abused, neglected or treated cruelly.
• Ability to cope with the emotional impact of possible euthanasia cases.
• Must be able to work weekends, holidays, and varying shifts based on shelter needs.
• Must have a means of travel that ensures prompt arrival for work shifts.
• Must be able to pass a background check.

Education and/or Experience:

Minimum of high school diploma or equivalent.

Two or more years’ Animal Welfare experience.

Fear Free Sheltering preferred.

Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this job, employee may be exposed to unpleasant kennel smells. May have to handle dogs and cats that are stray, injured, diseased or vicious.