Kennel Attendant

**NANAIMO ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES LTD. **requires a full-time **Kennel Attendant / Pound & Adoption Assistant.**

To be considered for this position applicants must provide a **resume with accompanying cover letter**.
- in person at: 1260 Nanaimo Lakes Rd., Nanaimo, B.C.

**Kennel Attendant tasks**

Primary duties: Maintain a professional and healthy environment for the humans and animals that visit, work or temporarily live in the Pound.

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

- daily cleaning and sanitizing of kennels, cages and animal areas
- prepare and provide correct & sufficient supplies of food and water to all animals; monitor consumption and urinary & fecal output
- exercise dogs (walking or play) up to three times a day
- examine newly impounded animals for: parasites, injuries, infections, sickness
- monitor animal health / behaviour & report abnormalities
- photograph animals; transfer to computer file storage; update websites
- on a daily basis examine & interact with animals of varied temperament & behaviours (friendly/compliant/fearful/vicious) to assess health & well-being; take appropriate actions to reduce/remedy stress, pain, suffering & make comfortable.
- make Veterinary appointments and coordinate transport of animals to & from clinics / hospitals
- medicate and care for animals per Veterinary instructions including: wound care, nail trim, de-matting, post-surgery care
- clean/sanitize & store: food bowls; litter boxes; beds; buckets; mops; fabric-bedding
- set-up kennels for incoming animals or internal transfers to new kennels
- general housekeeping & cleaning of facility and equipment, including; floors, walls, doors, windows, mirrors, toilets, sinks, fridge/freezer, lights, signs, stairs, parking lot, etc.
- monitor, order & stock supplies of: food; litter; cleaning products and anything else related to the operation of the kennels
- empty garbage; conduct recycling tasks; wash brushes & mop-heads
- examine and photograph deceased animals, check for: microchips, tattoos, other identification, determine sex, distinguishing features AND post information online
- minor maintenance & repair of facility; occasional painting projects, florescent light bulb replacement
- maintain / update MSDS information concerning chemical cleaning products used in the facility
- identify: hazards / problems / concerns and report to Coordinator for direction

Rodents, reptiles, snakes, caged-birds and poultry are infrequently impounded but must also be handled by the Kennel Keeper. Experience working with a wide range of animals in a Veterinary or commercial setting is preferred.

**Pound & Adoption Assistant tasks**

Primary duties: Provide operational support to assist Animal Control Officers working in the field. Assist the Pound & Adoption Coordinator in the daily operation of a professional Pound facility.

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

- answer & respond to telephone and walk-in enquiries
- answer & respond to radio transmissions
- obtain complaint information from callers and accurately communicate information to ACOs verbally, or by radio, or by written record
- complete accurate queries of computer databases
- read various records to identify information required for data entry AND accurately enter this information to computer records
- file and retrieve paperwork per established methods
- cash handling; debit & credit card transactions; use of P.O.S. terminal
- accurate completion of financial/legal paperwork (impound & release forms; dog licences; adoption contracts)
- assess animals for adoptability / write adoption descriptions / post profiles online
- meet with potential adopters; act as a matchmaker and advisor
- assist adopters to prepare for their new pet / problem-solve behavioural issues
- liase with rescue groups to provide options for less adoptable/higher needs animals
- provide accurate information to the public regarding Bylaw regulations
- enforce policy & Bylaw regulations verbally (by phone or in-person) at the Pound
- maintain security and confidentiality of facility operations and information acquired and protected by FIPPA.
- monitor, order and stock office supplies as required
- Provide a criminal record check clear of any convictions or active charges.
- Provide a BC Driver’s Licence abstract with few or no violations in the past 5 years.
- Possess strong organizational & communication skills.
- Be able to prioritize and complete required tasks in the time allotted.
- Must be physically capable of lifting weights up to 50 lb. / climb ladders to 6 feet
- Must have keyboarding skills (30 wpm)
- Must be able to use hand and power tools (lawn mower / pressure washer / leaf blower / snow-blower / weed-eater)
- Not have incapacitating allergies to animals or natural environment (trees, grasses, etc.)
- Must handle/examine dead animals

**Those chosen for an interview will receive a telephone call.**

Thank you for your interest in this