Animal Care Specialist (Full-Time) – Senior Dog & Cat Rescue

Position Title: Animal Care Team Classification: Full-time, non-exempt Date: Starting March 2026 Starting Pay: $17/hour Must be 18 years of age or older – THIS IS NOT A SEASONAL POSITION Reality Snapshot – Please Read Working in animal rescue is meaningful, hands-on, and real. This role includes: - Daily cleaning of urine, feces, vomit, and other messes - Constant laundry, sanitation, and physical work - Caring for senior animals, including those who may be frail or declining - Team-based work where reliability and communication matter - Evenings, weekends, and holidays — animal care happens every day This role includes cleaning, physical work, emotional resilience, and teamwork — best suited for grounded, reliable individuals who find purpose in caring for animals through both the joyful and challenging parts of rescue. Position Summary Young at Heart is a nonprofit organization based in Woodstock, IL. We operate a cageless adoption center and sanctuary for senior dogs and cats, as well as a foster home program. We are an organization that embraces teamwork and a grounded, positive approach toward rescuing and rehoming senior dogs and cats in our community. We are seeking a full-time Animal Care Team person to join our team. The Animal Care Team provides safe and compassionate care for the senior dogs and cats at Young at Heart’s adoption center. The Animal Care Team is responsible for breakfast and dinner shifts, cleaning and maintaining the facility, and working closely with staff and volunteers in the care of the pets. The Real Life of Animal Care at Young at Heart Working in animal rescue is deeply meaningful — and also physically demanding, emotionally real, and sometimes messy. This role is not sitting with animals all day. A typical shift includes: - Cleaning urine, feces, vomit, and other messes (daily) - Constant laundry, dishes, and sanitation — laundry is truly non-stop - Fast-paced, physical work including bending, lifting, walking, and scrubbing - Emotional situations, including caring for frail or declining senior animals - Team-based work where reliability and communication matter - Evenings, weekends, and holidays — animal care does not pause If you find purpose in caring for animals through both the joyful and the hard parts of rescue, you may be a great fit here. Preferred Applicant The preferred applicant is reliable, hard-working, and takes pride in their work; is skilled at working with both dogs and cats of varying temperaments and sizes; is dedicated to maintaining a clean, organized, and safe environment; and demonstrates a consistently dependable work ethic — showing up on time, ready to work, even on hard days. The ideal candidate is a team player who is adaptable, reliable, people-oriented, and communicates clearly and respectfully. Animal Care - Prepare and provide food and water for the dogs and cats, and medical care as assigned - Clean, disinfect, and maintain pet areas following disease control protocols — cleaning pet urine, feces, vomit, and other messes is a routine and essential part of every shift - Monitor dogs and cats and report health or behavioral abnormalities - Assist with collars, harnesses, and safe equipment use - Maintain clean and comfortable bedding - Introduce dogs and cats safely into social communities - Perform bathing and basic grooming - Maintain accurate animal care records - Assist with emergency veterinary transport when needed - Assist with animal meet & greets and adoptions as needed - Practice and promote humane, compassionate animal care Facility Care - Clean, declutter, and organize facility and storage areas - Remove garbage and recycling - Clean and sanitize restrooms - Operate laundry and dishwashing equipment — laundry is continuous - Restock and organize supplies - Mop, vacuum, and maintain safe and clean environments People Care - Promote a welcoming and supportive environment for adopters, volunteers, and visitors - Provide warm, respectful, and supportive interaction while balancing hands-on animal care duties - Mentor and guide volunteers safely and effectively - Communicate clearly and work cooperatively with team members - Maintain professionalism and discretion in emotional or sensitive situations Position Requirements Work is performed throughout the adoption center including animal living areas, isolation, office spaces, stairs, and outdoor areas. Regular exposure to animals, cleaning agents, and zoonotic diseases occurs. Animal bites and scratches are possible. Regular bending, reaching, kneeling, walking, and lifting up to 50 pounds is required. This role includes caring for frail senior animals and may at times be emotionally difficult. Emotional resilience and the ability to remain calm, compassionate, and steady are important. Evenings, weekends, and holidays are required — animal care does not pause. All employees must become Fear Free Certified™. Education & Experience - High school diploma or equivalent required - Experience in animal care, veterinary, shelter, or boarding environments preferred - Volunteer and customer service experience a plus - Interest in animal welfare and senior pet care valued Knowledge, Abilities, & Skills - Grounded, steady, and dependable - Compassion balanced with practical, hands-on care - Team-oriented, flexible, and calm under pressure - Ability to manage routine through emergency situations - Comfortable working with dogs and cats of varying needs and temperaments - Commitment to positive, humane animal handling Salary & Benefits Starting pay: $17/hour Full-time, non-exempt (35–40 hours/week) Paid time off, HRA health benefit, discounted veterinary care after 90 days Opportunity for growth over time within a hardworking, mission-driven environment. Young at Heart is an equal opportunity employer. **Application Instructions – Please Read Carefully to Stand Out from the Crowd** At Young at Heart, authentic communication matters. Our work is hands-on, team-based, and deeply personal to the animals we care for. Because this role involves real-time decision making, teamwork, and direct animal care, we ask that your response be written in your own voice, without assistance from AI or others. We care far more about kindness, reliability, resilience, and teamwork than writing ability. Simple, real responses are best. In place of a traditional cover letter, please either answer the following questions on Indeed OR you may email your resume to jobs@adoptaseniorpet.com with a short response answering the following three items: 1. Why do you want to work with senior animals? 2. Describe a time you handled something difficult, messy, or emotionally hard. 3. What strengths would you bring to this role (kindness, reliability, resilience, teamwork)? Young at Heart is a place where the joyful, messy, real life of rescue happens every day. We are not looking for polished writing — we are looking for kind, dependable humans. By submitting your response, you confirm it reflects your own original voice and experiences. During the interview process, we may discuss your responses. Pay: From $17.00 per hour Benefits: Employee discount Health insurance Health savings account Paid time off Application Question(s): Why do you want to work with senior animals? Describe a time you handled something difficult, messy, or emotionally hard. What strengths would you bring to this role (kindness, reliability, resilience, teamwork)? Experience: shelter, kennel, doggy daycare, or other animal care: 1 year (Preferred) Work Location: In person