About Us

Since 1935, Animal Aid has been a trusted refuge for lost, unwanted, and abandoned animals. We work tirelessly to reunite pets with their families and provide a first-rate second chance to animals in need. Guided by our mission to end animal homelessness, we passionately advocate for responsible pet ownership and offer services that support both animals and people.

Located in Coldstream, only 50 minutes from Melbourne, Animal Aid is set amidst the stunning scenery of the Yarra Valley, offering a unique and enriching work environment.

Why Work With Us?

At Animal Aid, we live by our HEART values: Helping, Excellence, Action, Respect, and Transformation. When you join us, you’ll experience:

Meaningful Work: Every day is an opportunity to create a brighter future for animals.

Modern Facilities: Work in a purpose-built shelter designed for excellence in care.

Supportive Team: Join a passionate group of staff and volunteers who share your commitment to animal welfare.

Employee Benefits: Staff discounts on services and supplies, plus in-lieu days

About the role:

The Cattery Supervisor is responsible for:

1. Delivering animal care.

2. Coordinating with the Cattery Manager to ensure that staff and volunteers are supported in their roles and that daily activities are aligned with operational priorities. This role provides consistent, on-the-ground leadership that enables the Cattery Manager to focus on developing animal welfare and re-homing pathways.

3. The Cattery Supervisor works closely with the team to maintain high standards of feline and small animal care, welfare, and customer service. By guiding team members through their responsibilities, promoting a culture of respect and collaboration, and overseeing daily workflows, the Supervisor plays a vital role in creating a positive, productive environment.

4. This position also contributes to a trusting and effective working relationship with the Cattery Manager by communicating openly, ensuring consistency in service delivery, and supporting the team’s ability to deliver exceptional care and adoption outcomes.

About You:

We are looking for a dynamic cattery supervisor who will bring:

Key Responsibilities:

Daily Running & Workflow Coordination:

Assist with coordination of the cattery and small animal care area to ensure efficient, consistent, and high-quality care.

Provide daily guidance and direction to Animal Attendants and volunteers, ensuring tasks are understood and completed to standard.

Allocate duties based on the needs of cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small animals in care, as well as operational priorities and team capacity.

Monitor workflow throughout the day, adjusting staffing or task assignments as needed, and triage challenges to the Cattery Manager as they arise.

Identify staff development needs and communicate relevant feedback to the Cattery Manager.

Support the consistent implementation of shelter policies, procedures, and OH&S requirements.

Animal Care, Welfare and Behaviour Monitoring

Deliver animal care.

Maintain high standards of care across all species housed in the space, including cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small animals.

Ensure best practice in hygiene, feeding, housing, handling, enrichment, and behavioural care.

Conduct regular checks on the health, behaviour, and well-being of all animals in care, reporting concerns promptly.

Support the management of animals recovering from health or behavioural challenges, as directed by the Cattery Manager.

Contribute to the implementation of individual care or behavioural plans for cats and small animals.

Ensure compliance with protocols related to species-specific care, cleaning routines, enrichment, and infection control.

Adoption and Customer Service Support

Provide friendly, informative, and professional service to members of the public and potential adopters.

Maintain a clean, calm, and welcoming environment that supports a positive adoption experience for all animals.

Support the matching process for both cats and small animals in line with the organisation’s Adopters Welcome philosophy, helping reduce length of stay and promote successful outcomes.

Communication, Record Keeping and Reporting

Maintain accurate and timely records of animal care, behaviour observations, and welfare notes across all species.

Share relevant updates with the Cattery Manager to support informed decision-making.

Facilitate effective communication across the team, including clear shift handovers and animal updates.

Workplace Culture and Professional Conduct

Promote a positive, inclusive, and respectful team culture by encouraging open communication and alignment toward shared goals.

Role model professionalism, reliability, and best-practice care for both cats and small animals.

Participate in team meetings, training sessions, and broader shelter initiatives as required.

Support the Cattery Manager in fostering a culture of continuous improvement and animal-centered practice.

Key Selection Criteria

Essential:

Minimum of 5 years’ experience working in a shelter, cattery, or similar animal care environment, with hands-on experience caring for cats and small animals (e.g., rabbits, guinea pigs).

Previous experience working within an animal re-homing organisation or shelter, experience supporting behavioural or health recovery plans for cats and small animals.

Proven ability to coordinate and support a team of staff and volunteers in a busy setting.

Strong knowledge of feline and small animal behaviour, welfare needs, and husbandry best practices.

Excellent communication skills, including the ability to provide clear guidance and support to team members.

Ability to maintain accurate records and report animal welfare concerns promptly.

Commitment to workplace health and safety and demonstrated ability to apply OH&S policies in practice.

Empathy, emotional intelligence, and maturity in handling sensitive situations with animals and people.

Desirable:

Qualification in animal care, companion animal services, or related field (e.g., Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services, Cert IV in Animal Behaviour & Training).

Demonstrated ability to prioritise tasks, manage workflow, and solve operational challenges efficiently.

Leadership or supervisory experience within a team environment.

Understanding of adoption processes and customer service in an animal welfare context.

Basic knowledge of veterinary care or familiarity with common feline and small animal health issues.

Ready to Make a Difference?

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

Applications close: Thursday 21st August 2025.

Please note* Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For more information about Animal Aid, visit animalaid.org.au