Animal Care & Adoptions Associate

Cat Care Society • Full-time • Lakewood, Colorado, United States • USD $19 - USD $22 / hour • 6d ago

Who We Are

Cat Care Society is a limited-admission, nonprofit cat shelter located in Lakewood, Colorado, founded in 1981. For over 40 years, we’ve provided compassionate care, adoption services, and life-saving medical treatment to cats in need while fostering a vibrant, cat-loving community. Our unique free-roaming shelter environment ensures every cat is seen and valued as an individual.

Job Overview

Join our shelter operations team as an Animal Care & Adoptions Associate and play a key role in both the daily care of cats and the adoption experience. This position combines hands-on animal care with customer service and adoption counseling to support the health, well-being, and successful placement of cats. This is a cross-functional role that supports multiple areas of shelter operations. Responsibilities shift throughout the day based on operational needs, staffing levels, and adoption volume. This role does not have a fixed percentage split between animal care and adoption responsibilities.

This position is ideal for someone who has prior experience working with animals or in a customer-facing environment and is comfortable working independently while adapting to changing priorities.

Key Responsibilities

· Provide daily care for cats, including feeding, cleaning, enrichment, and maintaining sanitary living environments

· Monitor animal health and behavior and report concerns to leadership or veterinary staff

· Support adoption activities by greeting visitors, counseling adopters, and processing adoptions accurately and efficiently

· Ensure adopters receive clear, accurate information about animals to support successful placements

· Safely handle and move animals in accordance with established protocols

· Assist with basic treatments, vaccinations, or medical support tasks under supervision and delegation of a licensed veterinarian or credentialed technician

· Maintain clean, organized animal and adoption areas, including kennels, cages, and shared spaces

· Support intake, transfers, and general shelter operations as needed

· Shift between animal care and adoption responsibilities based on daily operational needs

· Provide a positive experience for visitors, adopters, volunteers, and staff while prioritizing animal welfare

· Follow all standard operating procedures (SOPs), safety guidelines, and organizational policies

Qualifications

Required:

· High school diploma or equivalent

· One (1) year of experience in animal care, customer service, or a related field, with the ability to work independently

· Ability to safely handle animals and perform physical job duties

· Strong communication and interpersonal skills

· Ability to work independently and as part of a team

· Ability to adapt to changing priorities and a fast-paced environment

Preferred:

· Experience in a shelter, veterinary, or animal care setting

· Experience in customer service or adoption counseling

· Familiarity with basic animal health and behavior

· Experience working with volunteers

· Bilingual in Spanish, ASL, or another language relevant to the community

Working Conditions

· Must be available to work at least one weekend day

· Regular standing, walking, bending, and lifting (up to 50 lbs)

· Exposure to animal dander, cleaning agents, disinfectants, and medical materials

· Risk of animal bites and scratches

· Work in a fast-paced, high-volume environment with changing priorities

· Ability to handle emotionally sensitive situations, including illness, injury, and humane euthanasia

Benefits

Cat Care Society offers a benefits package designed to support employee wellness, growth, and work-life balance. Depending on position and hours worked, benefits may include:

Health insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
401(k)
Paid time off (PTO)
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Discounts on pet food and limited veterinary services
Discounts on pet insurance
Professional development assistance
Emergency travel assistance

Benefits eligibility is based on employment status (full-time or part-time), scheduled hours, and length of service. Full details will be reviewed at the time of offer.

Why Join Us?

At Cat Care Society, you’ll be part of a team dedicated to providing compassionate care and second chances to cats in need. Our free-roaming shelter environment allows you to see the direct impact of your work every day. We value collaboration, respect, and continuous learning, and we’re committed to helping staff build skills and grow within the field of animal welfare.

To Apply

Please apply through our Indeed job posting. We welcome applicants with a passion for cats and a desire to grow in the field of animal welfare. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. This position is expected to close on April 10, 2026, but may be extended or closed earlier based on application volume and business needs.

ADA and Equal Opportunity Statements

If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process due to a disability, please get in touch with us at humanresources@catcaresociety.org.

Cat Care Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Pay: $19.00 - $22.00 per hour

Benefits: