Position summary:
The Animal Caretaker, Humane Sanctuary, helps manage the day-to-day care of the animal residents of the Sanctuary, primarily horses. The Caretaker is responsible for ensuring the welfare, safety, and proper care of animals residing on the property. Daily animal care duties include cleaning, feeding, grooming, providing enrichment, etc., for horses
Responsibilities:
Working under the guidance of the Director and CVO, develop and review husbandry plans and procedures for animals residing at the Sanctuary.
Maintain detailed records on the daily husbandry of each animal.
Follow all proper and recommended veterinary medical care instructions.
Provide appropriate quantity and quality of food and water to animals on a daily basis.
Ensure animals are properly groomed, bathed and are provided with enrichment and exercised as appropriate.
Monitor animals, noting any eating, drinking, health, behavior or temperament changes and informing CVO to discuss any issues.
Ensure a safe work environment, follow safety guidelines and model safe work practices; take immediate action to remedy or address any safety issues.
Essential experience, knowledge, skills and abilities:
High school diploma required, Associate’s or Bachelor’s level degree in animal science, biological sciences or other relevant degree, preferred
Licensed Animal Care Technician or equivalent experience strongly desired but not required
General knowledge of animal behavior, husbandry, and care important, equine experience required
Proven knowledge and experience to safely implement and carry out care-related animal husbandry best practices for all species of animals residing at the Sanctuary
Skills assessing animals such as whether they are alert and responsive or not acting normally as well as taking their temperature, pulse, and respiration rate
Physical demands and work environment:
Position will be based out of American Humane’s Sanctuary facility in Palm City, FL
Must be able to lift up to 50lbs and carry 30lbs as needed for animal care and property management
Must be able to bend, lift, push, pull, stoop, kneel, reach, manual dexterity, etc. in order to perform daily animal care needs
Requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to communicate with staff, volunteers, vendors, and animals
Possible exposure to animal hazards such as dog bites and zoonotic diseases
May be required to submit to pre-employment and random drug testing as a condition of employment
