Animal Care and Program Support Associate

Job Description

Job Description

Animal Care & Program Support Associate (Part-Time)

Appalachian Highlands Humane Society (AHHS) is seeking a compassionate, dependable, and hardworking Animal Care & Program Support Associate to join our team. If you have a passion for animal welfare and enjoy making a difference every day, we'd love to hear from you.

In this role, you'll provide exceptional daily care for dogs and cats, with a strong emphasis on walking, exercising, and enriching shelter dogs to support their physical and emotional wellbeing. Responsibilities also include cleaning and maintaining animal living areas, feeding and caring for animals, assisting with animal intakes, supporting foster and adoption programs, interacting with visitors, and helping with daily shelter operations and community events.

What You'll Do

• Walk and exercise shelter dogs throughout the day, providing regular potty breaks, socialization, leash training reinforcement, and enrichment.
• Provide daily care for dogs and cats, including feeding, cleaning, monitoring health and behavior, and reporting concerns.
• Maintain clean, safe, and sanitary animal housing, play yards, kennels, and facility areas.
• Provide enrichment activities that promote the physical and emotional wellbeing of animals.
• Assist with animal intakes, foster care, adoptions, and other rescue program support.
• Help maintain accurate records and complete required paperwork.
• Greet visitors and provide excellent customer service.
• Assist with outreach events, special projects, and other duties that support our mission.

Qualifications

• Compassion for animals and a commitment to their wellbeing.
• Dependable, positive, and team-oriented attitude.
• Strong communication, organizational, and time management skills.
• Ability to safely walk, handle, and manage dogs of all sizes, breeds, and temperaments using positive handling techniques.
• Ability to perform physically demanding work, including walking several miles throughout a shift, standing for extended periods, lifting up to 50 pounds, bending, squatting, and cleaning throughout the day.
• Animal care, veterinary, shelter, or customer service experience is preferred but not required. We are willing to train the right candidate.
• Flexible availability, including some evenings, weekends, and holidays.

What We Offer

• Starting pay: $15.00 per hour
• Part-time position
• A supportive, mission-driven work environment
• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of homeless animals every day

Who We're Looking For

This position requires reliability, initiative, a strong work ethic, and the ability to work as part of a collaborative team in a fast-paced animal welfare environment. A significant portion of each shift is spent walking and caring for dogs, so we're looking for someone who enjoys being active, working outdoors in all weather conditions, and building positive relationships with animals. The ideal candidate takes pride in their work, treats both people and animals with kindness and respect, and is committed to helping Appalachian Highlands Humane Society fulfill its lifesaving mission.

If you're ready to be part of a team dedicated to giving animals a second chance, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and help make a difference—one life at a time.