Organization History

Dogwood Animal Rescue (formerly Dorset Rescue Kittens) is a registered Canadian charity dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and adoption of animals in need. Founded and operated entirely by volunteers, we are proud to serve communities across Ontario through hands-on care, education, and outreach.

While our name began with cats, our compassion has grown to include rabbits, rodents, and farm animals. Each year, we help approximately 400 animals find their forever homes. Working closely with other charities, animal rescues, veterinary clinics, and local pet stores, we ensure every animal receives the highest standard of care and the best chance at a happy, healthy future.

At any given time, we oversee the immediate care of 50 to 100 animals in our dedicated rescue building and partner locations. Beyond adoption, we are committed to education and community engagement, offering online and in-person resources for both current and experienced pet parents.

We believe in creating opportunities for individuals of all ages and backgrounds to participate in our mission because together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of animals and the people who love them.

Work: Dogwood Animal Rescue operates 7 days a week, 365 days a year including all Statutory holidays. Shifts are scheduled Monday- Sunday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM EST. This role requires approx. 40 hours per week of scheduled work. Employees are provided with a 30 minute unpaid lunch break per shift exceeding 5 hours in duration.

Education

High school diploma

Completion of a post-secondary animal care and/or welfare specific program is preferred Fear-Free animal handling certification is considered an asset

Current Standard CPR-C certification is considered an asset

Experience

Prior experience in an animal care setting (e.g., veterinary clinic, animal boarding facility, animal rescue, or humane society) is required.

Hands-on experience in animal care or attending to animals of various breeds, including but not limited to pet sitting, training, or general care is required.

Experience with data entry, data management and/or shelter management software is considered an asset.

Competency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite is required.

Proven ability to manage time, prioritize and perform time-sensitive tasks is required. Experience in physically demanding roles, such as landscaping or similar labor-intensive positions, is considered an asset.

Previous experience leading a team or role(s) in a leadership position are preferred.

Job Description

New employees should be aware this is a physically demanding and time intensive position. Animal care work is required rain or shine, and employees are expected to be ready and willing to work both indoors and outdoors, year round.

Rescue Assisting Duties (55%) include but are not limited to:

- Facilitate the adoption of Dogwood Animal Rescue (DAR) rescue animals




- Create and post adoption profiles for adoptable animals including photo galleries, descriptions and identification of unique or health-related intricacies
- Screen, evaluate and approve potential adopters and ensure the best fit for the specific animal and home.
- Schedule, conduct and efficiently record adoption screening calls
- Communicate with potential adopters by email, phone and in-person conversations
- Facilitate and schedule animal pick-up between fosters, satellite partners and adopters
- Maintain accurate and organized adoption records
- Assistance of the DAR volunteer programs
- Assist with reviewing, selecting and on-boarding new volunteers. Provide availability for communication and build strong professional relationships with new and existing volunteers
- Regularly communicate with volunteers to ensure placed animals are the right fit and all health, supply and behavioural needs of placed animals are met
- Prepare animals for placement including arranging pick-up, organizing, providing supplies and communicating with visiting volunteers at rescue or satellite locations Mentor and answer any questions from volunteers, as requested
- Liaison with volunteers to arrange the transport of animals for appointments, adoption placements, or otherwise as required
- Assist with coordinating placement of rescue animals at satellite locations and work with satellite partners to ensure the health, supply and behavioural needs of placed animals are met
- Work with volunteers to gather additional information on placed animals, build photo galleries and descriptions to be used for adoptions
- Maintain accurate and organized records of animals in offsite rescue care (foster, satellite placement)
- Facilitate community involvement
- Create, schedule and post regular content on social media to promote adoptable animals, share success stories, encourage donations and advertise events as needed
- Collaborate with DAR volunteers and team to organize and host in-person community events such as National Adoption week, PetValu events and others
- Create, manage and track community donation requests for supplies in need. Coordinate the pick up/ drop off of donated items to the rescue building
- Assist with post-adoption communications and answer any questions from the community about DAR
- In coordination with management, organize a volunteer appreciation event annually

Administration Duties (30%) include but are not limited to:

- Create and maintain accurate and current daily care charts for each individual animal in care
- Input intake,



medical and placement information in ShelterLuv management software. Schedule and track treatments and surgeries in ShelterLuv
- Process adoption applications in ShelterLuv
- Keep volunteer training records accurate and current, ensuring liability waivers and training records are in compliance and properly maintained
- Monitor and answer WhatsApp communications from rescue volunteers in a timely manner Maintain supply inventory and report ordering requests to management regularly

Animal Care Duties (15%)

- Complete and clearly document intake exams for rescue animals including vaccination, microchipping and parasite prevention in accordance with DAR internal protocols. Record intakes in ShelterLuv
- Carry out animal care attendant duties as needed, including kennel cleaning and sanitization, feeding, providing fresh water, offering enrichment and ensuring fresh linens are available
- Maintain a safe, clean and sanitary rescue building including organization, dishes, laundry, deep-cleaning and regular sanitization as required
- Regularly restrain animals for treatments, kennelling, transport and otherwise using Fear Free and safe techniques
- Monitor daily care records to ensure no drastic changes in health status
- Recognize and report symptoms associated with illnesses to management and coordinate treatment plans
- Identify, document and report behavioural concerns and issues promptly to management
- Evaluate emergency communications from volunteers, ask relevant questions and collaborate with management to determine the appropriate plan of action. Offer guidance, instructions and support to volunteers as requested
- Create and maintain animal health records in ShelterLuv including the tracking of conducted treatments and required future treatments or procedures
- Administer care treatments including oral, aural, ocular and topical medications as instructed. Perform nail trims, ear cleanings, baths and other necessary care tasks
- Participate in health and safety initiatives and inspections. Work in compliance with the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act
- Provide support for other facilities on property as required
- Transport in-care animals to and from required appointments as needed.
- Handle donation supply pick-ups such as from Miss Dixies, Freedom and other locations
- Work closely with our business partner, Dogwood Animal Sanctuary, to facilitate transfers for adoption and assist with animal care as needed.

The role of Rescue Assistant with Dogwood Animal Rescue is a dynamic and fast-paced position. By signing below, employees acknowledge that the above list is a generalization of the role and additional duties not listed above may be required.

If you are interested in this position, please email your cover letter and resume to Cailey Seymour at [email protected]

Pay: $20.00-$22.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Work Location: In person

📌 Rescue Assistant - Animal Care Attendant (Puslinch)
🏢 Dogwood Animal Sanctuary
📍 Puslinch