Receptionist & Animal Care Attendant - Dartmouth SPCA Shelter

Location: 5 Scarfe Court, Dartmouth

Job Type: Full-Time

Terms of Employment: Term Contract

Contract End Date: December 31, 2026

Compensation: Starting at $17.00/hour

A Receptionist and Animal Care Attendant is a key member of the Nova Scotia SPCA Shelter team, helping to create a positive experience for people while ensuring the health, comfort, and well-being of animals in our care.

This role combines exceptional and compassionate customer service with animal care, supporting both front-of-house operations and the daily needs of shelter animals. The successful candidate will help maintain a welcoming, safe, and sanitary environment for visitors, staff, volunteers, and animals.

This position has the opportunity to respond to urgent animal by-law-related calls on behalf of the Halifax Regional Municipality for additional compensation, and requires flexibility as it includes on-call shifts as scheduled on holidays and overnights.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Provides outstanding customer service with a friendly can-do attitude.
• Guide prospective adopters through the adoption process, ensuring a positive, informative and welcoming experience.
• Educate adopters on animal care, behaviour, medical history and post-adoption resources.
• Answers general inquiries by phone, email and in person and provides support and options in a variety of sensitive matters.
• Assists with the scheduling and coordination of appointments.
• Provide a wide range of administrative and clerical duties and work well with low supervision.
• Maintaining positive interactions with the public, staff and volunteers in a fast-paced, sometimes hectic and noisy environment while remaining calm, focused resourceful and efficient is critical to this role.
• Responsible for all duties related to the care of animals (cleaning of the holding areas, assuring that animals receive food and water, bathing and basic grooming).
• Provides humane handling and restraining techniques.
• Observe animals for signs of illnesses or injuries and report symptoms to the appropriate personnel.
• Administers medications as prescribed.
• Maintain accurate records for animal inventory, health, medications, treatments, procedures, behaviour and adoption information.
• Performs continual maintenance duties that include repairs and upkeep. Cleans all equipment and work areas to maintain the highest standard of cleanliness and sanitation. Follows health and safety regulations and protocols.
• Completes other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each task satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and ability required.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to interact professionally and empathically with a diverse range of people.
• Demonstrated ability to remain calm, organized and solution-oriented in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrates animal control knowledge, including proper restraining techniques.
• Knowledge of animal behaviours, and basic obedience training methods
• Ability to identify species, breeds, age and sex of animals.
• Ability to identify signs of animal illnesses, diseases and injuries.
• Ability to identify different medications and methods of administration.
• Ability to perform sanitation procedures and general maintenance.
• Ability to perform the SPCA’s basic medical intake process and other duties as outlined in SPCA Manuals
• Employee must demonstrate ability to work effectively with others (including co-workers, customers, volunteers and others) by sharing ideas in a constructive and positive manner; listening to and objectively considering ideas and suggestions from others; keeping commitments; keeping others informed of work progress, timetables and issues; and addressing problems and issues constructively to find mutually acceptable and practical business solutions.
• Employees must demonstrate regular and consistent attendance and punctuality.

Experience

• 1-2 years of experience in customer service.
• Previous animal care experience in a Veterinary clinic, Grooming, Doggy Daycare or other pet-related experience is an asset.

Additional Information

• Driver’s license is required

Physical Requirements

• Physical ability to walk and/or stand on your feet throughout a normal workday required.
• Physical ability to lift and carry 40 pounds regularly.
• Working conditions include working alone, working outside in varying weather conditions, frequent interruptions, and some meetings.

What We Offer

• Employee Assistance Program
• Pet supply and SPCA Thrift Store discounts
• Opportunities to earn additional compensation through our On-Call After Hours Service.

Hours of Work

• Hours of work range between 8 am and 8 pm daily. This position requires a flexible schedule. Evenings and weekends will be part of the regular weekly schedule, must be willing to work a flexible schedule.

How to Apply

Nova Scotia SPCA is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified applicants, regardless of gender, race, age, sexuality, or disability. SPCA provides a competitive salary and a rewarding work environment. Preference will be given to candidates who self-identify as African Nova Scotians, racially visible persons, persons with disabilities, Aboriginal persons and persons of the LGBTQ+ community. We encourage applicants to self-identify.

Interested applicants are asked to submit their resume and cover letter to View email address on canada.jobradars.com. Please quote “SPCA Dartmouth” in the subject heading in your email reply.