Manager of Canine Care & Enrichment

Job Description

Job Description

Organization

Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit (FAMD) is dedicated to the rescue, protection, and adoption of companion animals in need while inspiring the human-animal bond.

• As animal advocates, we are committed to:
• Saving all adoptable animals.
• Providing high-quality animal care and adoption services.
• Delivering innovative outreach programs and activities that promote education.
• Promoting animal welfare legislation.
• Embracing environmental responsibility with earth-friendly practices and facilities.

Summary

The work involves training and daily management of Animal Care Specialist staff to ensure consistent, compassionate, and safe care for dogs in the shelter. The Manager of Canine Care & Enrichment monitors the timely completion of daily dog care assignments, including feeding, cleaning, kennel sanitation, exercise, enrichment, behavior observations, and documentation. The role ensures each dog receives appropriate enrichment, humane handling, and daily physical activity through playgroups, Doggie Day Out, walks, yard time, training sessions, or other approved programs. The Manager of Canine Care & Enrichment carries out daily assignments, follows up on matters affecting dog health, safety, and behavior, and uses independent judgment and training to address standard recurring situations with the guidance of the Director of Operations.

Essential Job Functions

• Train ACS staff and volunteers on Operating Procedures, including feeding, cleaning, leash handling, kennel safety, enrichment, exercise, and documentation.
• Train and mentor ACS staff on humane dog handling, canine body language, safe leash and kennel procedures, bite prevention, Fear Free practices, behavior support, and General Safety Protocols found in the Employee Guidelines.
• Assists and supports ongoing behavior assessments or touchpoints for each dog and is responsible for reporting findings and recommendations to the Director of Operations, President and CEO, and Critical Path Committee for deeper discussions as needed.
• Records canine behavior assessments, handling notes, enrichment plans, medical concerns, leveling dogs for handling, and observations in each dog’s file via the animal management platform.
• Works closely with the Intake, Medical, and Adoption Departments to coordinate individualized care for dogs, including quarantine or isolation needs, medication support, diet instructions, behavior concerns, and housing considerations.
• Involved in decision-making regarding the placement, pathway planning, behavior support, and outcomes of dogs.
• Cleans kennels and housing areas, feeds dogs, refreshes water, launders bedding, sanitizes dishes and enrichment items, and performs related housekeeping duties in assigned dog iso and kennel areas.
• Assists in keeping proper inventory levels of cleaning supplies, food, bedding, leashes, collars, enrichment items, training treats, and other canine care supplies.
• Works closely with the Foster and Volunteer departments to identify dogs that would benefit from foster care, sleepovers, decompression breaks, or other enrichment opportunities.
• Collaborates with the Adoption department to identify dogs best suited for outreach, offsite events, pet store partnerships, meet-and-greets, and other adoption opportunities.
• Oversees, coordinates, schedules, and implements the Doggy Day Out Program for volunteers and community.
• Report any issues (concerns, complaints, misconduct, near misses, dog bites, injuries, escapes, behavior changes, or safety concerns) with shelter dogs, staff, volunteers, or the public to management, the Director of Operations and/or CEO.
• Trains, mentors, and communicates with volunteers on safe dog handling, leash skills, kennel entry and exit, enrichment, walking procedures, playgroup support, and approved training techniques.
• Follows all FAMD policies and protocols.
• Performs additional canine care and shelter support tasks as required.

Other Duties

Performs related work as required and other duties.

Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills

• Advanced knowledge of canine care, shelter dog behavior, enrichment, handling, and husbandry.
• Possesses skills needed to train and supervise animal care staff caring for dogs in a shelter environment.
• Skilled in performing, interpreting, and correctly recording canine behavior assessments and daily behavior observations.
• Handles dogs safely and effectively, including fearful, high-arousal, stressed, or behaviorally sensitive dogs.
• Ability to build, maintain, and expand dog care, enrichment, exercise, playgroup, foster-support, and behavior-support programs.
• Possess customer service skills 
• Follow proper kennel cleaning, disease prevention, sanitation, and safety procedures.
• Knowledge and ability to make humane, pathway-focused decisions for dogs in shelter care.
• Must be Fear Free certified or become certified during the probationary period.
• Strong communication skills are required to effectively and efficiently communicate the needs of dogs and staff promptly.
• Strong leadership skills to ensure staff remain on task while championing and motivating them to grow their knowledge of canine care, behavior, enrichment, and safe handling.
• Ability to recognize and respond appropriately to canine stress signals, illness concerns, kennel deterioration, barrier reactivity, resource guarding indicators, and other safety or welfare concerns.
• Ability to coach staff and volunteers on consistent, reward-based handling and enrichment plans that support each dog’s emotional and physical well-being.

Training and Education

Minimum of 2 years of experience in a supervisory role.

Minimum of 2 years in the animal husbandry field, preferably with direct dog care experience in a shelter, kennel, veterinary, rescue, training, or animal welfare setting.

Experience managing larger staff.

Education could be considered for experience.

Licenses/Certificates

Fear Free certification.

Special Requirements

Certification in CPDT-KA, KPA CTP, CDBC, or another recognized canine training/behavior credential is preferred but not required.

Physical Demands

The work is performed in the office and shelter surroundings, with frequent hands-on work in dog kennels, yards, walking areas, and shelter support spaces. Typical positions require workers to walk or stand for long periods; handle dogs of varying sizes, strengths, and behavior levels; lift and carry up to 50 pounds; climb stairs, bend, reach, hold, grasp and turn objects; and use fingers to operate computer keyboards. The work requires the ability to speak normally and to use normal or aided vision and hearing.

Other Factors

• Work is subject to frequent interruptions.
• Employee is subject to work weekends, holidays, and beyond normal scheduled hours.
• Employee is subject to work outside in a variety of weather conditions while walking, exercising, transporting, or supervising dogs.

Supervises

Animal Care Staff and Volunteers assigned to canine care areas

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit (FAMD) is dedicated to the rescue, protection, and adoption of companion animals in need while inspiring the human-animal bond.

As animal advocates, we are committed to:

Saving 100% of healthy and treatable animals.
Providing high-quality animal care and adoption services.
Delivering innovative outreach programs and activities that promote education.
Promoting animal welfare legislation.
Embracing environmental responsibility with earth-friendly practices and facilities.

Company Description

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit (FAMD) is dedicated to the rescue, protection, and adoption of companion animals in need while inspiring the human-animal bond.\r\n\r\nAs animal advocates, we are committed to:\r\n\r\nSaving 100% of healthy and treatable animals.\r\nProviding high-quality animal care and adoption services.\r\nDelivering innovative outreach programs and activities that promote education.\r\nPromoting animal welfare legislation.\r\nEmbracing environmental responsibility with earth-friendly practices and facilities.