Position Summary:

Full Time: (including a rostered alternate Saturday)

Reports: Head of Shelter Operations with strategic oversight from the CEO.

The Welfare Cattery Manager is responsible for the overall management, welfare, and re-homing outcomes of cats under the care of Animal Aid. This leadership role ensures high standards of animal welfare, facility cleanliness, staff supervision, and volunteer engagement. The manager also plays a key role in community education, advocating for responsible pet ownership and promoting positive cat welfare.

The Welfare Cattery Manager is responsible for the overall management, welfare, and re-homing outcomes of cats under the care of Animal Aid. This leadership role ensures high standards of animal welfare, facility cleanliness, staff supervision, and volunteer engagement. The manager also plays a key role in community education, advocating for responsible pet ownership and promoting positive cat welfare outcomes.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Animal Welfare and Health Management.
Oversee the holistic care of cats within the cattery, ensuring their daily needs for health, nutrition, enrichment, behaviour support, and socialisation are met. Liaise closely with veterinary teams to implement preventative health programs, administer treatments, manage de-sexing and vaccination schedules, and maintain comprehensive individual animal welfare records and case notes.

2. Team Leadership and Development.

Lead and support a team of animal attendants and volunteers through hands-on training, performance management, and daily supervision. Develop and manage rosters to ensure adequate coverage and efficient workflows, while fostering a positive, compassionate, and professional team culture aligned with Animal Aid’s HEART values.

3. Cattery Facility and Biosecurity Management.
Ensure the cattery is maintained to the highest standards of cleanliness, hygiene, and biosecurity. Manage the stock and functionality of all equipment and consumables and ensure compliance with workplace health and safety (WHS) legislation and animal welfare codes.

4. Adoption Services and Client Support.
Oversee all aspects of the adoption process, ensuring a supportive and positive experience for potential adopters. Provide guidance, retail tools, and advice that promote enjoyable ownership and successful integration of cats into home environments.

5. Community Outreach and Intake Management.
Support and deliver community-based initiatives that reduce shelter intake and support animal welfare. This includes promoting desexing, running education programs, managing intake flow, and delivering services such as the pet pantry to assist pet owners and keep families together.

6. Administrative Duties and Continuous Improvement.

Maintain accurate, up-to-date records using our animal management system. Contribute to the development of operational policies and procedures and actively participate in continuous improvement alongside the Welfare Management team.

Key Selection Criteria.

Essential:

Minimum 5 years’ experience in animal sheltering or similar, preferably in a leadership role.

Demonstrated knowledge of feline health, behaviour, enrichment, and welfare.

Proven leadership and team management skills.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Proficiency in customer service and community collaboration.

Sound knowledge of WHS legislation, safety practices and animal welfare codes.

Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services, Veterinary Nursing, or significant equivalent experience in animal care and management.

Personal Attributes:

Resilient and committed to the mission of animal welfare.

Organised, proactive, and capable of managing multiple competing priorities.

Calm and clear-headed under pressure, with the ability to de-escalate conflict and guide others.

Positive, solutions-focused team player who motivates and supports colleagues.

Able to work independently and exercise sound judgment in fast-paced situations

Join us in transforming the lives of animals and the people who care for them. Submit your application, including a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria and current resume.