Intake & Rescue Specialist

SPCA of Texas

Job Description

The Intake & Rescue Specialist is responsible for evaluating, selecting, and transporting animals from other shelters to our facility while also supporting pet owners who have requested placement assistance for their companion animals. This role involves assessing incoming animals, providing pet support resources, and collaborating with the logistics and outcome teams to ensure optimal shelter capacity and placement opportunities.

This individual will communicate with partner shelters, perform intake and medical evaluations, coordinate transport logistics, and maintain detailed records in the shelter database. The ideal candidate is passionate about animal welfare, highly organized, and able to work effectively with various partners and clients to achieve the best outcomes for animals.

Summary of Essential Job Tasks:

• Visit partner shelters to evaluate and select animals for transfer, considering medical, behavioral, and space constraints.

• Maintain strong working relationships with partner shelters, providing clear and timely communication about transfer needs and capabilities.

• Assess behavioral and health conditions before intake to facilitate smooth transitions to adoption, foster, or rescue placement.

• Load and transport animals safely to the SPCA of Texas, ensuring adherence to safety protocols.

• Perform and document intake procedures in the shelter management system, including medical evaluations, intake vaccinations, and behavior observations.

• Assist pet owners with rehoming resources, alternative solutions, and placement recommendations to prevent unnecessary shelter surrenders.

• Manage intake scheduling, ensuring availability of shelter resources before accepting animals.

• Engage with and educate clients on available pet support services, including behavior consultation and financial assistance.

• Work closely with the Lifesaving Operations, Behavior, Medical, and Animal Care teams to determine the best pathway for each animal.

• Assist in taking photos, writing bios, and promoting animals for adoption, foster, or rescue transfers.

• Maintain intake and transport areas in a clean and sanitary condition.

• Conduct diagnostic testing, including but not limited to blood draws, fecal exams, mange, heartworm, and feline leukemia tests.

• Assist in large-scale animal intake situations, such as cruelty investigations and seizures.

• Actively engage with volunteers and community members to promote positive interactions and outcomes for animals.

• As time allows, participate in placement through rescue, including:

o Ensuring all animals going to rescue meet medical, behavioral, and documentation requirements.

o Maintaining positive relationships with receiving partner organizations and engage with SPCA of Texas foster, volunteer, and rescue communities.

o Assist partners and clients in selecting animals for transfer and handling paperwork.

o Coordinate and oversee out-of-state transports, ensuring proper documentation.

• Maintain program supplies, vehicles, and equipment in safe working condition, reporting any repair needs.

• Serve as a positive ambassador for the SPCA of Texas by promoting its mission and programs.

• Assist with animal care responsibilities as needed.

Abilities Requirements:

• Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.

• Able to work successfully in a diverse team environment.

• Strong customer service orientation, with experience in effectively addressing and resolving issues with constituents with a positive attitude and creating positive interactions with our community.

• Computer proficiency with Microsoft Office and ability to learn shelter software.

Applicant Information:

• Applicant must be interested in animal welfare and creating positive outcomes without judgement or bias.

• The individual performing this job may be required to work more than 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week. Shift times may vary and include weekend hours.

• Must be at minimum 21 years old to meet insurance requirements and must be qualified and licensed to operate a motor vehicle in the state of Texas.

• Must be eligible to be a “driver” for the SPCA of Texas and must perform “driver” duties as directed by the immediate Supervisor. Such “driver” duties may include, but not be limited to, driving an SPCA of Texas Van, Box Truck, or Mobile Adoptions Vehicle.

• Experience with animal handling preferred.

• Detail oriented and organized.

• Experience working, volunteering or fostering with animal rescues or shelters preferred.

Working Conditions:

• Applicant will be exposed to animals, some of which may be fearful and/or fractious.

• Applicant must provide every animal exceptional care and a loving home.

Physical Demands:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This position is regularly required to use hands and fingers, handle, and talk and hear. The incumbent is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, and stoop, kneel or crouch. The position holder must be able to regularly lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.

• Specific vision abilities required for this position include close vision, distant vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to focus.

• While performing the duties of this job this position may be exposed to animal odors or airborne particles.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be loud.

Normally scheduled 5 days per week, 8 hours per day between the hours of 7am and 7pm.