Canine Carer - Job Description Job Title: Canine Carer Reporting to: Location: Revised: Management Team Birmingham Dogs Home Centre January Summary The Canine Carer will work as part of a team with the main objective being to provide the highest levels of care and welfare management for all dogs during their stay with us. Working towards preparing them for rehoming and ensuring that the most suitable homes can be found for each dog. Working to Birmingham Dogs Home’s codes of practice and Health & safety guidelines and to establish excellent customer relations. Normal hours in this role are 37.5 per week. Expected working pattern is to be 5 shifts per week over a three-week pattern, weekend working is two weekends out of three. Your rota can also require you to work on a Bank holiday. Key Responsibilities Provide the utmost care and welfare to dogs in our Centre through undertaking a number of key activities. These will include, but are not exclusive to: • Follow Standard Operating Procedures and health and safety guidelines to maintain the cleanliness of kennels to the highest standards, including cleaning and disinfecting the animal accommodation, drains, isolation, exercise areas, food preparations areas, laundry and surrounding outside areas. • Prepare food and water for each dog in your care. • All dogs to be monitored at all times to assess their temperament and wellbeing. Ensure positive welfare for each dog through play, enrichment, exercise, socialization, along with training. • Bath and groom dogs as necessary and prior to being rehomed. • Carry out daily health checks and report any physical changes to the Centre’s veterinary team/management. Page 1 of 3 BDH – Canine Carer • Ensure any medication/treatment prescribed is administered as directed by the vet. Medication must be written clearly and updated daily on the white boards in the service points. • You will be required occasionally to assist the vet and vet nurse on duty in vet consultations. Adhere to barrier nursing protocols outlined by the veterinary team/management team when dealing with infectious dogs and new arrivals. • Keep thorough records of each dog using the kennel boards, computer system and other documentation in accordance with the procedures and data protection legislation. • Proactively engaging with customers and visitors to the Centre with dog meets, delivering the highest level of customer service, answering queries and matching and rehoming dogs effectively, being professional, courteous and respectful at all times. • Report any faulty or damaged equipment to the Management team. • Develop a close working relationship with colleagues at all levels. • Carry out assessments of the dogs in your care, highlighting any behaviour or welfare concerns to the management team, under supervision of the behaviour team, implement and assist with Behavioral modification plans. • Assist the fundraising team to promote dogs that are available for rehoming and updating website profiles including taking photos. • Carry out any other reasonable duties as directed by the management team. E.g. Clean and inspection room, staff room & toilets, Veterinary rooms, storage areas etc. Person Specification Skills and attributes: • A positive and proactive attitude and willingness to work with members of the public, staff and volunteers. • Good communication and interpersonal skills (verbal and written). • Reliable and diligent. • Hard working, enthusiastic and a team player. • A methodical approach to working practices. • Good organisational, administrative and time management skills. • A good understanding of the importance of great customer service, ideally with experience of providing excellent customer service. • Be able to confidently handle all breeds of dogs in a safe manner. • Dedication and show initiative. • A reasonable level of fitness, stamina and mobility is required to complete the varied physical demands of the role. • Emotional resilience to manage the potentially emotional demands of the role. Knowledge: • An understanding of dog welfare requirements. Page 2 of 3 BDH – Canine Carer Experience of: In house training is given on site. • • A qualification in animal care, training and/or behaviour would be desirable. • Experience of working in a kennel environment would be desirable. Other requirements: • Dedication towards the care of the dogs in our Centre’s. • Commitment to the aims and objectives of Birmingham Dogs Home. The duties in this job description may change from time to time following a review and in discussion between the post holder and line manager. Page 3 of 3 BDH – Canine Carer