Help Wanted for New Year!! Team Members!

We have two positions available.  One is in the kennel working with the dogs and one in the cat rooms.  Both are part-time positions, possibly leading to full-time.  Please e-mail or call  if you have an interest or pass it along to anyone you know who may be interested to work with animals. The specifics are at the end of this post.  We are looking for team members.  Our team is improving everyday.

We have gone through some recent changes in staff.  The staffing of an animal shelter is historically an ongoing, evolving process.  I always tell the young staff members that I do not expect them to stay here for an extremely  long period of time.  Two to three years is the average.  I do expect the staff to learn as much as they can by working with the animals and our customers.  I hope they develop skills to apply to other careers they will have in their lifetime.  The animals have so much to teach us and I hope we can contribute to the staff's lives and futures just as contribute to the lives of the dogs, cats and adopters. For example, I hope that teenagers who are beginning their first job not only learn how to do the manual labor necessary to care for the dogs and cats, but they develop better communication skills by interacting with their co-workers and our customers.  Most importantly, I expect our staff to love, respect and care for the animals to the best of their ability. 

We don't always work under the best circumstances or with the most cooperative of residents.  Similar to health care professionals or law enforcement (sort of)......ours just have four legs. We get bite cases who are not always as predictable as they could be.  Medical cases with mange, parvo, trauma, heartworms and much more.  Behavior is one of the most common problems.  People buy or adopt puppies and spoil them instead of teaching them manners and socializing them with other dogs, cats and people.  Then when the teenage dog is out of control, we get them.  Unsocialized cats or cats traumatized from being left behind and thrown outside when they have always been an indoor cat are plentiful.  Such a sad situation for so many cats who don't deserve the neglect they suffer.  So many people think they are disposable. 
 
We develop skills to interact with the people who come in to adopt a dog or cat from us.  We deveop skills to interact with the people who come in to surrender their animals.  That is always the most difficult, emotionally.  You are either totally angry because the person gives the impression they don't even care about their pet and they can just turn around and walk out, or they care so much that they are crying and so upset. The circumstances of life have made it impossible for them to keep their pet  Either way, I am usually crying long after the people leave.  But, we always remember the animals are our priority and we must do what is in their best interest.  At least I know they are safe and taken care of when they are with us.  That I am grateful for. 

                                           We wish you a Happy, Healthy and Safe New Year!!


Here are the particulars of the positions we currently have available: 

Part Time - Weekends and possibly fill-in during the week.  Experience working with cats and/or dogs is helpful but will train the right person. Grooming experience a plus but not necessary. 

Duties include: Cleaning dog kennels and/or cat cages, litter boxes, food and water dishes, mopping floors, doing laundry and preparing  for customers to meet the animals in a clean environment.  Ability to learn to recognize symptoms of illness and report to vet tech. Ability to communicate in order to assist customers to choose the right pet for their lifstyle.  Ability to work as a team member.  This work is rewarding, but it is not simple.  There are protocals to follow to insure the health, welfare and safety of the animals we are caring for, as well as the staff .   Must be dependable, punctual and willing to follow very basic dress code.  Please send brief letter of introduction, resume and contact information.  Appointments will be scheduled by telephone.  Tweet This

Merry Christmas to Everyone From the dogs, cats and staff at Almost Home Animal Shelter. 

Christmas is the time of year when visions of empty kennels and cat cages are dancing in our heads.  Our Christmas wish is for each and every dog and cat to have a home of their own for Christmas.  Every year our kennel and cat room is quiet by Christmas Day.  Not empty, but a greatly decreased number of dogs and cats.  Not this year.  This year we are still full.  We have had many adoptions, but new dogs and cats are coming in just as quickly as they go out. 

The staff does not get Christmas Eve or Christmas day off because the animals still need to be taken care of.  Everyone that works at the shelter comes in to get the job done and we try and leave by 1:00 so at least there is part of a holiday for everyone.  This year will be a longer day because we have so many animals.  We knew the animals were effected by the economy the last several years, but people were still adopting.  This year is very different.  People aren't calling to surrender their animals, they are just leaving them behind or dumping them in a neighborhood.  Dogs and cats are truly the silent victims or a bad economy. 

If you are thinking about adopting a new best friend, cat or dog, there is still time to bring them home before Christmas.  Please, please stop in soon.

Need last minute Christmas Gifts for pet loving friends or family?  We have dog and cat boutique items (brand new) at the shelter.  We have dog and cat collars and leashes, bowls, santa hats and antlers, dog picture frames and statues, cat scratching posts and trees, mugs, ornaments and much more.  Many breed specific items.  Every purchase helps support the animals at Almost Home.    

Merry Christmas and a  Safe, Healthy and Happy New Year to All!!! Tweet This

Holiday Fundraising Events: 

             Gift Wraping at Books A Million in the Cherry Hill Mall

                          Saturday and Sunday, December 11 and 12

                                                      2 pm to 6 pm

                         Tuesday and Thursday, December 14 and 16

                                                    6 pm to 10 pm

     Stop by and say "Hello".  Bring your Christmas Gifts and we will wrap them for you!! Books A Million has a wonderful selection of new releases and classics, as well as calendars, journals  and other gift items.
If you would like to volunteer for an hour or two, you are always welcome. 
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