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Animal Care Assistant (Temporary) – Part-Time

Help Animals Every Day. Make a Difference That Matters.

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL) is seeking compassionate, dependable Animal Care Assistants to join our team in a temporary part-time role through November 2026. This position plays a vital role in ensuring the health, comfort, and wellbeing of animals awaiting adoption and directly supports the ARL's mission of promoting animal welfare and creating positive outcomes for pets in need.

Schedule Requirements

This position requires availability from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at least two to three weekdays per week, along with open weekend availability. This is currently a temporary position expected to continue through November 2026; however, opportunities for continued employment may be available based on organizational needs and individual performance.

About the Role

As an Animal Care Assistant, you will provide daily care for shelter animals while helping maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for animals, staff, volunteers, and visitors. This is a hands-on position that combines animal care, facility sanitation, observation, and teamwork.

Success in this role requires someone who is comfortable working in a fast-paced shelter environment, can prioritize tasks efficiently, and understands that providing exceptional animal care includes both direct interaction with animals and maintaining high standards of cleanliness.

What You'll Do

Provide daily care for dogs, cats, and other shelter animals, including feeding, watering, exercising, walking, and enrichment activities designed to reduce stress and improve wellbeing. Maintain clean and sanitary animal living spaces through daily cleaning, disinfecting, laundry, and dishwashing responsibilities.

Observe animals closely for signs of illness, injury, stress, or behavioral changes and communicate concerns promptly to veterinary, behavior, or supervisory staff. Accurately document information and maintain records within Shelter Buddy and other organizational systems.

Support positive interactions with adopters, volunteers, and visitors by providing friendly, professional assistance and sharing information about the ARL's mission and animal care practices. Assist with general facility cleaning and help support volunteers as needed.

What We're Looking For

High school diploma or GED required.

Previous experience working with animals is strongly preferred. Experience in animal shelters, veterinary clinics, kennels, pet care facilities, animal boarding facilities, farms, or similar environments is highly desirable.

Previous customer service experience is preferred.

The ideal candidate is dependable, observant, compassionate, and able to remain professional in emotionally challenging situations. They are comfortable working independently, communicating effectively with others, and contributing to a collaborative team environment.

Basic computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Office programs, are required.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

This position requires frequent standing, walking, bending, lifting, and cleaning throughout the shift. Candidates must be able to safely lift and move up to 50 pounds.

Employees regularly work around animals and may be exposed to pet dander, animal waste, cleaning chemicals, loud noises, strong odors, and the risk of animal bites or scratches. Candidates must be comfortable working directly with animals of varying sizes, breeds, temperaments, and medical conditions.

Why Join the ARL?

Every day at the ARL presents an opportunity to improve the lives of animals in need. As an Animal Care Assistant, your work has a direct impact on animal health, comfort, and adoptability. Whether you're helping a nervous dog gain confidence, ensuring a kennel is clean and comfortable, or identifying a medical concern that needs attention, your contributions help create better outcomes for the animals we serve.

If you're looking for meaningful work where your compassion, dedication, and attention to detail can make a difference every day, we'd love to hear from you.

This position is classified as at-will employment, meaning either the employee or the ARL may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without notice, and for any lawful reason.

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state regulations, the ARL provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages applicants to discuss accommodation needs during the hiring process.