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Pet Adoption Counselor at SPCA Florida in Lakeland, FL
Entry LevelOn-siteFull-timeLakeland, FL
Job Description
Pet Adoption Counselor
Full time
At SPCA Florida, we are committed to enhancing the lives of animals and cultivating meaningful careers in animal welfare. Every team member plays a vital role in creating positive change for the animals in our community.
We are currently seeking a full-time Adoption Counselor to join our team and support our mission of finding loving homes for every animal in our care. Our staff consists of compassionate and innovative individuals who work tirelessly to ensure that each pet at the SPCA Florida Adoption Center has the best possible chance of finding a forever home.
As the first point of contact for visitors, Adoption Counselors are essential in creating a warm and welcoming environment. They demonstrate professionalism, empathy, and a genuine love for both animals and people in every interaction. Adoption Counselors guide families through the adoption process and help build lasting bonds between pets and their new homes.
What's In It For You
- Competitive hourly pay based on experience
- 403B Retirement Plan
- Holiday Pay
- Paid time off after 60 days
- Health Insurance – ¾ paid by SPCA Florida
- Dental and Vision Insurance
- Opportunity for Career Advancement and Learning
- Continuing Education
- An all-around amazing family-like team to work with
- Generous Personal Pet Care Discounts
- A satisfied accomplishment finding forever homes for our animals.
What We’re Looking For
- Kind-hearted & empathetic—someone who genuinely cares about people and animals.
- A people-person—friendly and professional, even during stressful moments
- A smart & resourceful multitasker—able to juggle different tasks at once
- A team player who values respect, no drama, and a positive work culture
- Be flexible in attitude and work habits. Must be able to work a flexible schedule (including Saturdays and Sundays). We are open 7 days a week.
- A high school diploma is required. An associate's degree is preferred but not required.
- Knowledge of general office practices and procedures, and receptionist experience
- Ability to perform clerical work with speed and accuracy, use a multiple-line telephone system; handle cash and other forms of payment, and interact closely with clients and patients daily.
- Candidates must have leadership skills, be eager to learn, show initiative, possess great customer service skills, and be able to work in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision.
- Animal experience is a must, including knowledge of animal behavior and handling.
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Actively reaching out to and interacting with the general public, specifically greeting visitors and talking with prospective adopters to find out what they are looking for in a pet
- Interacting with and getting to know the animals, therefore, being able to talk with prospective adopters about them to make a successful match.
- Helping people through the adoption process, sharing information about animal care and behavior, reviewing adoption applications, conversationally interviewing applicants, making decisions to finalize or deny an adoption, and communicating with the applicant in such a manner that maintains a courteous and friendly experience
- Willingness and ability to learn and use the ShelterLuv computer program we use to track animals in the shelter. Utilize software to enter complete and accurate data into the ShelterLuv system.
- Clean cages and maintain sanitation standards
- Provides quality in-person and telephone client service.
- Greet and assist visitors interested in adopting animals, providing information on available pets and adoption procedures.
- Educate adopters on animal care, training, enrichment, and long-term responsibilities.
- Possess a good understanding of medical history and other associated paperwork that needs to be explained to the client.
- Facilitate visits and interactions with potential adopters.
- Housekeeping duties such as laundry and dishes.
- Assists with disease control and cleaning of public areas throughout the day as needed.
- Reports signs of illness, disease, injury, or unusual activity to the Adoption Center Medical Team.
- Learn all the animals in the various areas and their personality to best place them to flourish and succeed.
- Encourages sales from the retail store to help meet budgetary goals.
- Collects payments for store sales and adoptions.
- Responsible for balancing the adoption financials daily.
- Responds to emails and phone calls from adopters and potential adopters promptly.
- Regularly participates in team meetings to share ideas and make suggestions for SPCA Florida improvements.
- Participates in continuing education to improve the functioning of the shelter. Attend educational programs as required.
- Being nonjudgmental to everyone
At SPCA Florida, we have established a strong balance between professional expertise and a positive work environment.
We are committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintaining a Drug-Free Workplace, which includes conducting background checks.