Dog Welfare Assistant

**Position**:Dog Welfare Assistant

**Hours of Work**: 37.5 hrs per week, on a rota basis to include alternate weekends.

**Interview date**:Friday 4th August 2023

**Main Purpose of the Job**:
To support the Centre Manager to fully utilise our resources. To maximise Centre productivity and deliver against the Centres Plan both in terms of Rescue and our Enterprise activity. To ensure that all the dogs in our care are cared for as outlined in our Dog Welfare Policies & procedures, and our Boarding Licence stipulations. Ensure that the Centre maximises its rehoming opportunities as well as building future potential relationships through other activities. To exploit every intake and rehoming opportunity presented to enable an efficient and customer friendly approach to those wishing to relinquish, adopt/rescue a dog. Take an adaptable approach to rehoming, be proactive in offering other rehoming options outside the kennel environment.

**Key Tasks and Responsibilities**
- Work as directed by the Centre Manager in any area that you are suitably trained to do so.
- Work in accordance with Jerry Green procedures and conduct intake, pre-assessments, and carry out dog assessments, highlighting any concerns or potential barriers to rehoming (or admission) to the Centre Management Team. Ensure that dogs that we care for within our Boarding Kennels, are supported throughout their stay with us in all aspects of animal welfare and interactions with their owners are positive and engaging at all times.
- Care for all dogs in the Rescue Centre and in our Boarding Kennels, in an appropriate and welfare friendly manner, to include cleaning of kennels, grooming, feeding, enrichment, exercise, delivering positive reinforced handling and administration of medication as required. Maintaining a high standard of good hygiene practices and good housekeeping across all areas of site at all times.
- Deliver training programmes to those dogs in our care who require additional support under the guidance of the Centre Trainer or Centre Management team. Ensure that accurate records are kept.
- To promote the Mission, Vision, Values and Core Principals of the charity, taking a positive and happy approach to supporting a workplace that celebrates success and learns from mistakes. Be responsible for meeting appropriate standards of performance.
- Welcome, support, nurture, train and include our volunteers, be proactive in developing our volunteers so that they feel a valued part of our team.
- Take an active role in the Dog Welfare Assistant Peer group, sharing learning and experience. To be a pro-active team player.
- To support potential new owners and the general public, in and outside the Centre, in the care and welfare of their dogs.
- Be an ambassador the charity, taking every opportunity to fundraise, build supporter relationships and make lasting friendships
- To promote the Enterprises services at the Centre, to adopters and customers at every available opportunity.
- Maintain accurate records on our dog management database, to include admission, adoption and behaviour, financial and veterinary information, as well as ensuring that all customer information is shared with the relevant function.
- Ensure dogs that are available for rehoming are positively promoted to maximise adoption and supporter opportunities. Be supportive of dogs moving within the organisation to enable an expedient rehoming. Be proactive in marketing our dogs, using the tools and techniques that can aid in their rehoming.
- Assist customers to select dogs through the Meet&Match® appropriate to the circumstances by providing, customer friendly, accurate and relevant information and advice. Approaching each dog and adopter as an individual and making decisions as a collective on those dogs that might be suitable. Ensuring that adopters are fully advised and provided with suitable equipment to welcome their new dog home, via our centre shop services and preloved.
- Maintain accurate records on our dog management database, to include admission, adoption and behaviour, financial and veterinary information, as well as ensuring that all customer information is shared with the relevant function.
- Ensure the highest standards of customer care are delivered to all centre visitors and contacts, by presenting a professional and friendly approach both face to face and on the telephone.
- Be an ambassador for the charity exploiting fundraising opportunities at all times. Support other functions with activities, such events, talks, and education activities, as required. To take responsibility for asking directly for support, be that for funds through our Regular Individual Giving, one off donations, goods and services, or voluntary and supporter opportunities.
- Support our volunteer workforce in the centre, giving them access to your knowledge and experience to aid them in their volunteering role.
- To positively promote the benefits of our insurance partnership, our pre